Are mains sockets permitted in bathrooms?

[diyterry]

Hello. I am extending my bathroom, but one of the walls that will be incorporated into the bathroom has a socket fitted. Is this allowed in a bathroom or is it best to remove the socket and fit a cover?

 

[Michael Sands]

Yes is the simple answer but has to be at least 3 meteres from zones but best to get rid of it

 

[westward10]

13A socket outlets are permitted providing they are not less than 3m from the boundary edge of zone 1.

 

[diyterry]

13A socket outlets are permitted providing they are not less than 3m from the boundary edge of zone 1.[/QUOTE

13A socket outlets are permitted providing they are not less than 3m from the boundary edge of zone 1.

Thank you for your quick reply. The socket is too close to zone 1. Behind the socket three cables converge, bearing in mind that I am replacing the plasterboard in that area what is the best method of connect the cables together?

 

[telectrix]

3 miles from zone 1? that's in the local pub.

 

[Midwest]

'Thank you for your quick reply. The socket is too close to zone 1. Behind the socket three cables converge, bearing in mind that I am replacing the plasterboard in that area what is the best method of connect the cables together?'

Either use the existing back box, suitable connectors and a front plate or a suitable maintenance free junction box. Any further information, would be a step by step guide, which is against forum rules.

I'd consider employing a competent electrician. Such work could be notifiable to local building control.

 

[Taylortwocities]

If you were to do it yourself, you cannot just connect them together and plaster over the joint. You could replace the socket with a blank plate, however.

 

[stevethesparks]

Designate your bath as a swimming pool, and as long as its rcd protected you can reduce the distance to 2 metres.
I am kidding of course but it's in the regs 702.53ii a socket outlet is permitted in zone 2 and that's 2 metres from the edge of the pool

 

[diyterry]

'Thank you for your quick reply. The socket is too close to zone 1. Behind the socket three cables converge, bearing in mind that I am replacing the plasterboard in that area what is the best method of connect the cables together?'

Either use the existing back box, suitable connectors and a front plate or a suitable maintenance free junction box. Any further information, would be a step by step guide, which is against forum rules.

I'd consider employing a competent electrician. Such work could be notifiable to local building control.

Thank you, could you recommend a suitable maintenance free junction box?

 

[Midwest]

Thank you, could you recommend a suitable maintenance free junction box?

Starting to get step by step. You could just Goggle that for yourself. Still think your best bet is to employ a sparks. Whats £**'ish matter in new bathroom build?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thank you, could you recommend a suitable maintenance free junction box?

Google WAGO
btw, the junction does not need to be maintenance free- it will be under a (removable) blank plate.

 

[Resu]

Google WAGO
btw, the junction does not need to be maintenance free- it will be under a (removable) blank plate.

He said he's re-plasterboarding, so it will be behind the wall.

 

[Taylortwocities]

He said he's re-plasterboarding, so it will be behind the wall.

Then he needs to remove the cables from the wall completely as there will not be anything denoting the presence of cables in the wall.

@diyterry Do the cables come up from the floor or down from the ceiling?

 

[PEG]

Leave the socket where it is...get a toaster...start living life on the edge,dude

 

[johnduffell]

Such work could be notifiable to local building control.

I gave you a Funny because it's one of those situations where doing it just before knocking down the wall wouldn't be notifiable, but after would.
Anyway, not a lot of people realise that replacing a bathroom is classed as building work under the building regulations and should be notified to the local building control.

 

[MDJ]

The day anyone on here notifies building control they are doing work in their bathroom I'll eat my hat lol.

 

[telectrix]

The day anyone on here notifies building control they are doing work in their bathroom I'll eat my hat lol.

just for a laff. i'll install a new bog and notify it, just to see you eating your hat. .

 

[MDJ]

Well you will be the first one that has ever done it lol

 

[PEG]

Well you will be the first one that has ever done it lol

Not true....i know loads of people who have eaten their hat...

 

[diyterry]

Then he needs to remove the cables from the wall completely as there will not be anything denoting the presence of cables in the wall.

@diyterry Do the cables come up from the floor or down from the ceiling?

Both

 

[Taylortwocities]

Both

Pity!
As I said above. You cannot leave live cables in the wall and just plaster over them, unless they are at least 50mm from the surface.

So you have two obvious options
1. Rewire the socket so there are no cables in the wall. This may be tough as the cables come from two directions, but there may be a service duct in a corner, or other routes that the cables could take. You'll obviously need to find a location for a junction, or two.
2. Connect the conductors together, in the existing back box, using some insulated terminal block, or Wago-type connector.
Then put a blank plate over the back box, but on top of your new plasterboard so it can be seen.

 

[Strima]

Sounds like it's an upstairs RFC feeding sockets below and a single T&E drop.

Not a 70's built house by any chance?

 

[diyterry]

Sounds like it's an upstairs RFC feeding sockets below and a single T&E drop.

Not a 70's built house by any chance?

Spot on 1860's house......rewired in the 70's

 

[diyterry]

Pity!
As I said above. You cannot leave live cables in the wall and just plaster over them, unless they are at least 50mm from the surface.

So you have two obvious options
1. Rewire the socket so there are no cables in the wall. This may be tough as the cables come from two directions, but there may be a service duct in a corner, or other routes that the cables could take. You'll obviously need to find a location for a junction, or two.
2. Connect the conductors together, in the existing back box, using some insulated terminal block, or Wago-type connector.
Then put a blank plate over the back box, but on top of your new plasterboard so it can be seen.

Yes, that's the route I'll take terminal block with a wall plate.

 

[Strima]

Yes, that's the route I'll take terminal block with a wall plate.

Use Wago or similar, not those horrible choc block things...

This may look expensive on the face of it however they will cover most options in your house and are rated for up to 32 amps: https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/wago-lever-connector-set-32a-85-pieces/2305r

 

[pirate]

Erm...what sauce would you like on your hat, MDJ?
I installed a new loo and got a Building Warrant and Completion Certificate for that.
The lady from BC who inspected it was in the house less than 1 minute, said "Nice shower!" and left!

 

[MDJ]

Erm...what sauce would you like on your hat, MDJ?
I installed a new loo and got a Building Warrant and Completion Certificate for that.
The lady from BC who inspected it was in the house less than 1 minute, said "Nice shower!" and left!

Well there is always one t!t

 

[pirate]

Aye, I feel a right t!t now...
Maybe I'll get to feel the left one later on! Yay!

 

[MDJ]

Aye, I feel a right t!t now...
Maybe I'll get to feel the left one later on! Yay!

If you can remain sober then you have a chance

 

[KentSparky]

'Thank you for your quick reply. The socket is too close to zone 1. Behind the socket three cables converge, bearing in mind that I am replacing the plasterboard in that area what is the best method of connect the cables together?'

Either use the existing back box, suitable connectors and a front plate or a suitable maintenance free junction box. Any further information, would be a step by step guide, which is against forum rules.

I'd consider employing a competent electrician. Such work could be notifiable to local building control.

You can build a cupboard around the socket

 

[pirate]

Nae chance...I blew it!

 

[diyterry]

Use Wago or similar, not those horrible choc block things...

This may look expensive on the face of it however they will cover most options in your house and are rated for up to 32 amps: https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/wago-lever-connector-set-32a-85-pieces/2305r

Thanks for the suggestion, I've ordered a box they're just what I need.

 

[diyterry]

Use Wago or similar, not those horrible choc block things...

This may look expensive on the face of it however they will cover most options in your house and are rated for up to 32 amps: https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/wago-lever-connector-set-32a-85-pieces/2305r

Thanks for the suggestion, I've ordered a box they're just what I need.

 

[elsparko]

is there anything behind the wall? can you put the socket on the other side in the hallway?

 

[diyterry]

is there anything behind the wall? can you put the socket on the other side in the hallway?

There's a double socket in the next room at the same height and distance in so I'll have to have a look and see if there connected in some way.

 

[MDJ]

I would suggest you get an Electrician in

 

[diyterry]

I would suggest you get an Electrician in

Thanks, if I come up against something I don't understand rest assured I'll get an electrician in, as Clint Eastwood said, a man's got to know his limitations.

 

[pirate]

Some places find that sockets in the bathroom are the way to go...

Obviously the low level socket is nearly 15cm from the edge of the wash basin, ideal for my straighteners, and the higher level hairdryer and shaver socket make sense too as they are miles away from the basin...

 

[pirate]

and while I am talking Spanish electrics,

as a total amateur, what are the 3 chaps at the right? I am guessing they are to do with the card-switch system, so when you put your card in the slot so you can use the lights etc these activate the circuits for them and the sockets and aircon? Clearly that wee slotty thing can't carry the load on its own. Or am I talking rubbish...

 

[ipf]

Some places find that sockets in the bathroom are the way to go...
View attachment 43928
Obviously the low level socket is nearly 15cm from the edge of the wash basin, ideal for my straighteners, and the higher level hairdryer and shaver socket make sense too as they are miles away from the basin...

Bleedin' 'ell...….Johnny Depp talkin'?

 

[pirate]

it's important to take care of one's appearance, as Mrs Pirate keeps telling me, hence I had my hair cut last week...
always have it cut twice a year whether I need it or not.
You can't go swashbuckling with untidy hair!

 

[Taylortwocities]

what are the 3 chaps at the right?

They are contractors ( basically relays). As you say, the card thingy can’t cope with all the current, so it just switches the contractors on and the contactors turn on the main circuits.

 

[pirate]

Thanks for that clarification Taylor2Cs!
Naturally, the hotels like to save electricity, so I would never use my Tesco card to keep the aircon on while down at the beach...

 

[pirate]

Oh well, here's one more pic from my recent trip...it's a toilet roll dispenser...

on this occasion I came up two short...

 

[ipf]

They are contractors ( basically relays). As you say, the card thingy can’t cope with all the current, so it just switches the

s​

contractor on and the contactors turn on the main circuits.

Do you mean CONTWACTORS?....atwocious spelling!!

 

[Baddegg]

If the OP was confused before he started this thread his brain is frazzled now!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Do you mean CONTWACTORS?....atwocious spelling!!

Bloomin iPhone predictive text malarkey.
It should be, of course, convectors.