Light Switches in Bathrooms

[Midwest]

You lot would have music speakers & scented candles; bathrooms for washing. Now consuming beer or wine while luxuriating in the bath, that's different. No light switches mind

 

[RWJ]

I've got a light switch in my bathroom, it's 12v SELV in to a relay. I decided to use a 20mm rocker switch not a normal light switch due to "know it alls" that would tell me it's illegal etc. It turns the shower light off as the light is normally controlled by a flow switch, so you can just have the RGB led strip on!

 

[Pete E]

Another perspective is that regs are minimum standards and a qualified/experienced spark he may feel that while a certain customer request is technically allowable, he may still consider it not a good idea on safety grounds....

 

[telectrix]

be worse still on coffee grounds.

 

[Octopus]

Common sense says fit it outside ...........

The 2 sparks who say its not allowed are wrong IMHO.

 

[Andy78]

IPX4 only protects against splashes, there's still a risk of condensation ingress. I'm not just thinking about the touch aspect but also what effect moisture would have on the switch itself, not everything is manufactured using quality materials, some Chinese items might rot away in a couple of years.

Condensation would come under IPX3 to my mind.
"locations in which sprayed water forms a continuous film on floors and walls" (appx 5)
This is pretty much how condensation behaves, settles on the walls and runs down.

IPX5 withstands hose sprayed water from all directions which would be sufficient to resist water gently running down a wall.
Every item I install outside such as sockets, isolators and switches only has a rating of IPX5, would be rare for me to install a higher rating, yet that is deemed suitable and suffers no ill effects.

Coupled with the OP's stated 3.6m from the bath, I'd have no qualms installing this item in this position. He should still get an electrician to do the work though.

 

[Strima]

Condensation would come under IPX3 to my mind.
"locations in which sprayed water forms a continuous film on floors and walls" (appx 5)
This is pretty much how condensation behaves, settles on the walls and runs down.

IPX5 withstands hose sprayed water from all directions which would be sufficient to resist water gently running down a wall.
Every item I install outside such as sockets, isolators and switches only has a rating of IPX5, would be rare for me to install a higher rating, yet that is deemed suitable and suffers no ill effects.

Coupled with the OP's stated 3.6m from the bath, I'd have no qualms installing this item in this position. He should still get an electrician to do the work though.

I understand your reasoning on the condensation thing. TBH all rooms have different temperature variables so condensation may not be a problem, another room with poor ventilation may suffer badly from it.

My method of thinking was water vapour condensing on a cold spot within an accessory over a period of time and not drying out, unlikely but could happen in extreme circumstances.

To be fair with a room that size I can’t see a problem with a switch internally.

I wish my bathroom was that big.

 

[Baker1988]

I also would be happy to do what other have said. I would suggest that it might be better as a pull switch or to be outside but if the customer wanted it then i personally would of just done it.

 

[Adam W]

Whilst there are some of us fortunate enough to have large bathrooms that would accommodate reg 701.512.3 and the socket outlet, I think some should reflect on the usage of such rooms, and the human beings inalienable right to be stupid.

The majority of times when using these rooms, the human being is at its most vulnerable, generally naked, certainly the feet and usually wet or stood in water. Now its probable the flooring is insulating the human being from Earth, I for one wouldn't want to chance it. You don't see many sockets & light switches in swimming pool confines. But you did hear of youngsters taking TV's, iPods etc into bathrooms. I wouldn't want to be turning on a light switch, stood in water.

Apparently the Europeans, seem to take a different standpoint; another good reason for Brexit, IMO.

While I completely agree that it's safer not to have appliances in a location containing a bath or a shower, the counter argument would be that when needs must ingenuity reigns supreme - if someone wants to use a hairdryer in the bathroom then they will, whether it involves pinching the cable in the door or running an extension lead, then branding the lack of a socket in the bathroom as "stupid".

In the US, not only can they have a socket in the bathroom (GFCI receptacle), they must have a socket in the bathroom, the idea being that if anyone wants to use an appliance in the bathroom then they'll use the one in there with a 10mA RCD instead of trying to run a flex from outside the location containing a bath or shower.
Maybe in this respect they have a point - that it's safer to give users what they want in a controlled way instead of hoping that they'll obey the rules.

 

[elsparko]

has to be a metal faceplate , un-earthed , for when m-i-l comes round for a shower.

metal floor tiles connected to L?

 

[telectrix]

metal floor tiles connected to L?

now that's just plain naughty.

 

[Toneyz]

You lot would have music speakers & scented candles; bathrooms for washing. Now consuming beer or wine while luxuriating in the bath, that's different. No light switches mind

And a smoke in Tels case.

 

[Venusandmars]

Since moving to the UK from Oz the horrible noisy click clak of those pull chords in bathrooms has always irritated me as switches seem to be used in Oz within about 1.8m. There must surely be a sensible safe (and quiet) alternative to an unsightly pull chord.

 

[James]

Wireless switches, pneumatic switches, passive infrared switches.
Normal switches outside the room.
There are lots of possibilities.

 

[Sw33tnuff]

If you really really want a switch in the bathroom, why not invest in a Quinitic switch system. I sure your prefered local electrician woul be happy to assist reg: 701.512.3 wouldnt be breached.