Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

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telboy
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Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby telboy » Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:42 pm

Can anyone tell me what the regs are for installation of shower/electrical socket in a bathroom, mainly the safe distance from a water source :?:

cheers
terry

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Wicksey
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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby Wicksey » Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:53 pm

We have electric sockets and light switches just next to our sinks in the bathroom, and previous houses have all been the same. Not sure what (if any) regulations apply here. Must say on trips to the UK, I do miss having a socket for my hairdryer in the bathroom!

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costakid
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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby costakid » Tue Apr 26, 2016 5:52 pm

Wish we had a socket in the bathroom in the uk. Drives me mad when the hair dryer goes on at 7am in the bedroom as i am watching the news.

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby TorreDelAguila » Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:23 pm

IIRC, old regs in the UK prohibited normal light switches and power points inside bathrooms - but that was in the days when RCD's (leakage trips) were neither compulsory nor common. What was permitted were "shaver points", which incorporated a mains isolating transformer, so that you would have had to connect yourself to both of the pins/sockets in order to receive a shock. The socket only went 'live' when the plug was inserted, closing off the sockets. Shaver points were low wattage, though, and could only deliver 25-30W for an electric razor, and certainly not enough for a hair dryer!

RCD's are compulsory on new installations in Spain, and so builders regularly install power points in bathrooms, even directly over the basin.

What is not permitted is any power outlet in, or reachable from, a "wet area", such as a shower or bath. In these areas, light and other switches must be of the pull-cord variety.

Personally, I think that 'open' mains appliances on the end of cables should be kept out of bathrooms altogether. A hairdryer and a tub of water do not make good bedfellows.

Don't quote me on current UK or ES electrical regs though; speak to an up-to-date electrician.
Chris

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby El Cid » Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:28 pm

Yes, that's what we have. There is a power socket and light switch right next to the sink.

Sid

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby telboy » Wed Apr 27, 2016 7:21 am

Stayed in a newish hotel in Granada (part of a chain), I have a photo of the bathroom and from that worked out that the shaving/hairdryer point is approx 40cm from the sink basin but about 1.5m from the shower.

terry

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby olive » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:25 am

On the subject of bathrooms. Can you have pull cord lightswitch in a Spanish bathroom? I have never seen one here

edit . Just found them in a Spanish catalogue (aliexpress.es) Thanks Cid,
Last edited by olive on Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby El Cid » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:27 am

I imagine you can, but they are normally only used when the regulations prevent normal switches, there would not be much call for them in Spain.

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby Beachcomber » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:37 am

I have pull cord switches and only UK style safety shaver sockets in each of my bathrooms but that is because I put them there when the house was built.

I also have a number of UK switched three pin sockets in my kitchen, again, because I put them there. The thought of having to plug in or unplug appliances to a live, unswitched Spanish socket possibly with damp hands and with no distinction between phase and neutral fills me with horror.
Let's go Brandon!

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby TorreDelAguila » Thu Apr 28, 2016 12:24 pm

Schuko switched sockets are available, but you need to do a bit of shopping:
http://www.preisroboter.de/Busch-Jaeger ... 1395065105
Pino Electrical, in Torre del Mar, also sell this type of neat and illuminated switched plug (16A double-pole switching), and German made:
http://g01.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB13GlVJVXX ... -CEE-7.jpg
Chris

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby Beachcomber » Thu Apr 28, 2016 12:33 pm

Thanks for the links. These were definitely not available when my house was built. Still no way of preventing the appliance from being plugged in the wrong way around, though.
Let's go Brandon!

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costakid
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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby costakid » Thu Apr 28, 2016 12:54 pm

Our electrician told us you can plug them in whichever way you want without harming the appliance. Not advisable but does no harm.

Beachcomber
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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby Beachcomber » Thu Apr 28, 2016 1:14 pm

I am more concerned about harm to the consumer rather than the appliance! I have no more confidence in Spanish electricians than I do in Spanish lawyers.
Let's go Brandon!

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby MartinEB » Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:27 am

On the subject of sockets (not necessarily in the bathroom or for a shaver), does anyone know where these can be purchased in Spain?

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby TorreDelAguila » Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:42 am

Any good electrical wholesaler. Not sure where you are located.
Chris

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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby MartinEB » Sat Apr 30, 2016 9:40 am

Located in Granada. No, have tried several electrical wholesalers and our local electricians also, even took a picture with me and they just look at me stunned, scratching their heads, as if I am asking for the elixir of life! Tried Leroy Merlin & Brico Mart also, no luck there either?

Simply want a Spanish type socket with a USB charger incorporated. The UK version is widely available in places like Maplin and B&Q, but the Spanish version seems elusive!

p.s. Sorry for hijacking the shaver socket thread?

Image

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gerryh
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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby gerryh » Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:07 am

Hi Martin
Seen them in one of my local Chinese shops if you want to risk it.
Also available on Ebay.
Cheers
Gerry
Gerry Harris

MartinEB
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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby MartinEB » Sat Apr 30, 2016 11:16 am

Thanks Gerry,

Think I will swerve the ones stocked in any "Asian bazaar" type shop (I have looked locally and not seen any)?
:thumbup:

I did look on Amazon ES and couldn't find any (plenty for the UK, France and USA though!) I shall look again

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quebin
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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby quebin » Sat Apr 30, 2016 6:12 pm


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Re: Bathroom Shaver Socket Regulations

Postby TorreDelAguila » Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:44 pm

Well spotted.
Chris


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