Light Switches in Bathrooms

[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.

 

[LastManOnline]

Thanks for your responses. Yes I can either install a pull cord or a switch outside, but the point of my post is to challenge the general assumption that you can never have a switch in a bathroom.

My response to the points raised:

• I’m confused by the comment that IPx5 isn’t enough to protect against condensation even outside of zones. Even within zones 1 and 2 the legal minimum is IPx4. What’s the minimum you’d recommend for any other accessories in a bathroom then? IPx6? IPx7?
• The regs state that you can have a normal 240v plug socket can be installed 3m from the boundary of zone 1. My switch would be more than 3m from zone 1, so if condensation is a problem then why can I legally install a regular socket?

I appreciate I’m in the lions’ den here but just wanted to get your views on it

Your confusion is completely justified. Like many other objectively minded reasonable people you naturally wonder why an electrician considers it fine for you to step into a shower tray and operate an electric shower while water is flowing around your feet but consider it deadly dangerous to operate a light switch 2 mts from the wet area.

 

[DPG]

Your confusion is completely justified. Like many other objectively minded reasonable people you naturally wonder why an electrician considers it fine for you to step into a shower tray and operate an electric shower while water is flowing around your feet but consider it deadly dangerous to operate a light switch 2 mts from the wet area.

An electric shower is designed to be used in a wet environment. It is specifically built for this purpose. A standard light switch is not, and shouldn't be operated by someone who is dripping wet.

 

[LastManOnline]

An electric shower is designed to be used in a wet environment. It is specifically built for this purpose. A standard light switch is not, and shouldn't be operated by someone who is dripping wet.

A standard light switch is used in virtually every other country in the world in situations I described above. And guess what, people like you and me use them freely when we travel abroad. Ever had any problems?

 

[DPG]

A standard light switch is used in virtually every other country in the world in situations I described above. And guess what, people like you and me use them freely when we travel abroad. Ever had any problems?

A lot of other countries have light fittings that aren't suitable for bathrooms too. So are you also saying we should just fit whatever light fittings we want in bathrooms?

No, I've never personally had a problem. However that doesn't make it OK.

 

[LastManOnline]

A lot of other countries have light fittings that aren't suitable for bathrooms too. So are you also saying we should just fit whatever light fittings we want in bathrooms?

No, I've never personally had a problem. However that doesn't make it OK.

Well let's just stick with the light switch for now.The OP made a completely reasonable comment using good sense. He is told that in the UK and here (ROI) that he is somehow in "mortal danger" if he uses a light switch in his bathroom. He has likely noticed when he goes abroad that people use switches (and sockets) in bathrooms. In fact he has done the same himself (and survived!) He has noticed that people are not lying dead in the streets.He has rightly concluded that something is not stacking up here.

 

[DPG]

Well let's just stick with the light switch for now.The OP made a completely reasonable comment using good sense. He is told that in the UK and here (ROI) that he is somehow in "mortal danger" if he uses a light switch in his bathroom. He has likely noticed when he goes abroad that people use switches (and sockets) in bathrooms. In fact he has done the same himself (and survived!) He has noticed that people are not lying dead in the streets.He has rightly concluded that something is not stacking up here.

Well I personally would not operate a standard light switch when I was wet from getting out of the bath.

 

[LastManOnline]

Well I personally would not operate a standard light switch when I was wet from getting out of the bath.

Neither would I. Amazing how the continentals have managed to educate their populations in the safe use of electrics in wet areas. Could we learn something there?

 

[pc1966]

Ah, the smell of Darwin in the morning!

 

[DPG]

Neither would I. Amazing how the continentals have managed to educate their populations in the safe use of electrics in wet areas. Could we learn something there?

Well most people in the uk probably wouldn't use the switches when wet either. But surely better safe than sorry?

 

[LastManOnline]

Ah, the smell of Darwin in the morning!

I won't even pretend to know what that comment means?