Plate Switch inside a bathroom!

[Goody]

Hi,

I have just come across a Plate Switch mounted on the wall inside a bathroom to operate the ceiling light. Is there any alternative fitting to replace it (to conform with the reg) without resorting to installing a pull-cord switch? Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[morph]

permitted item outside of zones

tin hat on

 

[Goody]

permitted item outside of zones

tin hat on

True, but what if someone touches it with water dripping from their fingers?

 

[sedgy34]

Hi,

I have just come across a Plate Switch mounted on the wall inside a bathroom to operate the ceiling light. Is there any alternative fitting to replace it (to conform with the reg) without resorting to installing a pull-cord switch? Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks!

View attachment 11988

God you work late lol, pop a hole through the wall put outside the room

 

[Adam W]

permitted item outside of zones

tin hat on

I agree - it doesn't necessarily have to be a pull switch just because it's a bathroom.
I suppose the alternative is some kind of SELV operated relay or suitably IP rated switch, although that might look a bit odd.

 

[sedgy34]

permitted item outside of zones

tin hat on

is your tin hat permanantly fixed lol

 

[Des 56]

If you dont want to move it,maybe fit a fan isolator instead

 

[Adam W]

True, but what if someone touches it with water dripping from their fingers?

That might teach them how to use a towel.
Seriously though you could say that about almost anywhere - you should have a pull switch in the bedroom in case someone goes from the bathroom to get dressed in the bedroom, pull switches in the kitchen for when you're doing the washing up etc.
You'd end up with so many pull switches it'd be like living under a barrage balloon.

 

[sjm]

If you can fit sockets in a bathroom, as long as they are 3 mts from the bath/shower, what's the problem with plate switches outside of zones?
I don't think the extra 2.4 mts will allow your fingers to dry while you walk it.

 

[morph]

lets think about it
i have just had a bath smell good and slightly wet
i use switch in bathroom or 12 inches later on outside wall
whats the difference

 

[needasparks]

I fitted flush pir's in my wc and bathroom, they don't get left on and visitors are in there for ages looking for the switch to turn it off.

 

[Guitarist]

Nothing wrong with a plate switch outside zones.
Btw, what reg did u "think" prevented this?

 

[Goody]

I agree that REG only stipulates use of electrical equipment in the right zone but my concern was someone getting a shock with wet fingers, should the switch developed a fault at some point.

 

[Plonker 3]

The regs for special locations to prevent spray of water getting in them.

Do you fit pull cords by the front door because they may come in when it is raining?

 

[Guitarist]

I agree that REG only stipulates use of electrical equipment in the right zone but my concern was someone getting a shock with wet fingers, should the switch developed a fault at some point.

Even toilets in schools use standard rocker switches, more often than not with no RCD protection. The bathroom/shower room regs are due to the chance of touching something with lower resistance of your body after immersion, not to guard against wet fingers. As previously said, you could exit the bathroom and switch a light on a few feet away, or come in out of the rain dripping wet and switch a hall light on.
Outside of zones you can put whatever switch YOU, as the professional, deem suitable.
Hope this clears it up.