Zone 1, 2 and 3

[Cookie]

What is Zone 1, 2 and 3 in wet locations? What does class 1 mean? Can someone educate on why, what and how this applies to kitchens and bathrooms?

 

[telectrix]

zone 3 was scrapped a few years ago. bathrooms now have zone 0, zone 1, and zone 2.

 

[telectrix]

regulations specify what we can, and cannot, fit in each zone.

class 1 equipment or appliances are generally those which have metal (conductive) casings etc.and must be earthed. class 2 are double insulated and/or non-conductive encolsures.

 

[Julie.]

Be clear Zones and classes are very different things

Zones - as Tel indicates: refers to different areas within an area containing a bath etc.
Class - (electrical) : a description of the insulation/earthing of the item
Class - (IP) : a measure of ingress protection against mechanical and water penetration.

So the Regs specifies that in Zone "x" any electrical item must have IP Class "y" if electrical class "z", or IP Class "a" if electrical class "b" etc and/or which electrical classes are not permitted and/or which IP classes are not permitted.

It has been somewhat simplified recently both in terms of Zones and what is acceptable IP and electrical classes

 

[littlespark]

I take it OP is in UK when asking about zones.... but 3 o’clock in the morning??!

 

[Julie.]

I take it OP is in UK when asking about zones.... but 3 o’clock in the morning??!

USA

The treasonous colony (Not the "Uther" Side of Accrington)

 

[littlespark]

USA

(Not the Uther Side of Accrington)

Profile just says “Earth”..... should narrow it down a bit.

 

[telectrix]

but is it a TT earth?

 

[Cookie]

Be clear Zones and classes are very different things

Zones - as Tel indicates: refers to different areas within an area containing a bath etc.
Class - (electrical) : a description of the insulation/earthing of the item
Class - (IP) : a measure of ingress protection against mechanical and water penetration.

So the Regs specifies that in Zone "x" any electrical item must have IP Class "y" if electrical class "z", or IP Class "a" if electrical class "b" etc and/or which electrical classes are not permitted and/or which IP classes are not permitted.

It has been somewhat simplified recently both in terms of Zones and what is acceptable IP and electrical classes

Makes sense. Is there by chance a table of what combinations are allowable?

 

[Cookie]

regulations specify what we can, and cannot, fit in each zone.

class 1 equipment or appliances are generally those which have metal (conductive) casings etc.and must be earthed. class 2 are double insulated and/or non-conductive encolsures.

Where do RCDs fit into all this? Are they effected by either zone or IP rating?

 

[Cookie]

I take it OP is in UK when asking about zones.... but 3 o’clock in the morning??!

BS7671 rules which are whole other universe compared to NFPA-70.

 

[loz2754]

Pocket guide with all the requirements summarised.

 

[Julie.]

Where do RCDs fit into all this? Are they effected by either zone or IP rating?

Anything in, or passing through zone 1 requires rcd

 

[brianmoooore]

Note that there is no reference to hand basins in the zone rules, although the instructions that accompany things often invent one.

 

[Cookie]

Thanks Julie and Loz2754!