Many people are still aware of the times when the socket in the bathroom was a curiosity and was an element of increased danger. Also, not as often as now, there was a need for an outlet in this room. After all, there were a minimum of electrical appliances for which it was required. Now everything has changed. In this room, various electrical appliances are widely used, which cannot be used without an outlet in the bathroom. Therefore, the need for electrical wiring in this room is obvious.
Safety first!
Any electrical appliance can provoke an electric shock, therefore both the sockets and the wiring must be correctly installed with your own hands. You can use additional materials with videos and photos so as not to violate the rules.
The norms regarding the installation of outlets in the bathroom are set out in the relevant literature and GOST. And they largely correlate with the electrical appliances that will be used there. This means that, for example, there are some requirements for installing a washing machine in the bathroom, and others for using an electric shaver.
Of course, it is desirable that the wiring be hidden, because it is obvious that the humidity in this room is high. This means that there is a risk of contact between the wiring and water, and this is very dangerous.
However, one should not assume that only hidden wiring is possible in the bathroom. This is only the recommended rate. Wiring can also be laid open, but metal hoses and pipes must not be used.
We make safe wiring
If you comply with all safety requirements, then any electrical appliances can be used in the bathroom.
According to the degree of danger of electric shock, the premises are conventionally divided into three types:
- Rooms without increased risk of electric shock.
- Premises with increased danger. They fulfill at least one of the conditions: high humidity (over 75 percent), high temperature (over 35 degrees), conductive coatings.
- Particularly dangerous premises. They have high humidity (up to 100 percent), and also fulfill two or more high-hazard conditions.
If electrical appliances are used in rooms with a special risk of electric shock or increased danger, then certain features apply. For example, the division of such a room into protective zones. Thus, the place of laying cables, installing sockets and switches should be determined based on the requirements for protective zones.
In addition to the installation standards, there are also requirements for the materials used for wiring in a room with high humidity. They must be heat resistant and water resistant.
Installing sockets is an important step in wiring
As already found out, the installation of outlets depends on the appliances used in the room:
- according to safety rules, such sockets must be grounded. For shaver-type electrical appliances, an isolation transformer can be used;
- all connections must be carefully insulated, and the wiring itself is desirable to be hidden;
- do not place sockets on cold walls where there is condensation. At the same time, according to the norms, the distance between the outlet and the bathroom or sink should be more than 0.6 m;
- the best option is sockets with moisture protection. And even if they are more expensive than standard ones, thanks to the use of special covers and seals, they successfully resist the ingress of moisture into the mechanism;
- if powerful electrical appliances are connected, it is worth getting a residual current device that will protect against electric shock. Three-pin sockets with a three-core wire can be used. Therefore, the same washing machines cannot be used with an extension cord;
- when using powerful electrical appliances, a separate line and a circuit breaker are needed;
- undoubtedly, all work on the arrangement of the outlet and wiring should be done by qualified and experienced specialists. Of course, there are enough photos and video materials on the Web, where the process is described in detail with your own hands, but you should not overestimate your strengths, since this may affect your safety.