Bathroom renovation - Electrical rules

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KBilly

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#170877 29-Mar-2015 15:15

Hi I'm planning a bathroom renovation and would like to know the rules around where electrical items can be installed. Things like light switches, electrical plugs, heated towel rails, vanity lights etc and how close they can be installed to the basin and shower etc.

Thanks in advance.

timmmay

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#1272930 29-Mar-2015 15:49

Surely the electrician doing the work can advise you about this? You do know exactly what you can and can't do yourself right, certificates you need, to make sure if your house burns down because of dodgy wiring you're still covered?

networkn

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#1272936 29-Mar-2015 15:55

I wouldn't accept information about this topic unless it was paid advice by a registered electrician. I certainly wouldn't risk accepting information about this from someone you have never met and can't verify the credentials from, in an online forum. At best I'd consider any advice gained here to be guidance whilst you find yourself a suitable electrical contractor.

Jase2985

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#1272943 29-Mar-2015 16:12

http://goo.gl/C8dGtz

Section 6 are the rules around what and where you can put things.

Again as mentioned your electrician should be doing all this for you

KBilly

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#1272951 29-Mar-2015 16:18

I just want to get an idea of the rules so I can plan a bathroom layout. Yes I'm just after guidance obviously and would get an electrician in when I get to that stage.

Jase2985

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#1272956 29-Mar-2015 16:26

read the link above then as it gives dimensions and specifications of electrical fittings and where they can go

i did the same thing when we renovated our bathroom

Stu

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#1272957 29-Mar-2015 16:29

The electrician will need to be involved right from the beginning for what you're looking at doing.

They'll need to see what's going on to quote you anyway and they'll advise where things can and cannot be placed.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Jase2985

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#1272961 29-Mar-2015 16:41

Stu: The electrician will need to be involved right from the beginning for what you're looking at doing.

They'll need to see what's going on to quote you anyway and they'll advise where things can and cannot be placed.

yes but its just not that easy every time though. our bathroom is quiet small and we wanted a lot fitted in there and there was only a few places things could go so we had to have an idea if they could work or not while designing it.

with our bathroom there was no point in involving them from the start as you need to get the layout of things like shower/bath and sink, before you can consider getting the electrician to sort out where things go

if you have a basic understanding of the rules. then you can design the bathroom while keeping things like powerpoints in their required zones. then you can get the electrician to mack sure its all acceptable IAW the regs.

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Stu

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#1272975 29-Mar-2015 16:58

Beginning as in before anything goes on the walls, as opposed to after you've started the build. Also reminding the OP that pre-wiring is required for additional equipment not already in the existing bathroom.

Not saying there's anything wrong with planning the layout yourself. That's part of the fun of DIY.

The sparky would also confirm whether or not you've understood the regs correctly.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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KBilly

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#1273001 29-Mar-2015 17:44

Thanks Jase2985

Niel

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#1273087 29-Mar-2015 22:08

Most of the people that reeplied do not seem to "get" the question. This is not about what the home owner is allowed, but rather a home owner that wants to know what is allowed so that he can design the bathroom the way they want it instead of whatever the electrician recommends which in some cases is whatever is easy/feasible with the stud locations. But a smart home owner will move studs in order to get fittings where he wants it, and for that reason needs to know what is allowed.

To answer the question, it is in the wiring rules which costs about $130 or so. It is copyrighted with restrictions you accept when you purchase it, so no one can (legally) post the relevant diagrams from the standard. Essentially there are areas like above showers/baths where you can't have any electrical devices unless it is extra low voltage (which is below 60V DC I think, note that 240V AC is called low voltage so don't confuse it). But there are "reach areas" around that so you do need a diagram to understand it.

You can have a fan/light inside a shower, it just needs to be an in-line fan and a 12V (e.g.) light for safety. I would consider do this as it removes steam from the source rather than pulling it across the cooler bathroom.

You can never have enough Volvos!

Disrespective

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#1273165 30-Mar-2015 08:33

Here's some relevant information on IP ratings of lights in a bathroom situation for what it's worth.

Satch

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#1274230 31-Mar-2015 12:24

Niel: Most of the people that reeplied do not seem to "get" the question.

People love to pounce... :-(

mdooher

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#1274269 31-Mar-2015 12:40

Some Basics to help you...

You can put anything you like above 2.25m.
So as long as you have a normal sort of room with at least a 2.4m ceiling you can have any lighting/fans you like even directly above the shower.
If you have a fan heater you can have it anywhere you like above 2.25. (don't put it above the bath or in the shower (Duh)

Socket outlets that are RCD protected must not be within 150mm of the sink or 500mm if it is a large sink or bath

you can put a socket outlet under the sink in the cupboard if you like (for a toothbrush or something)

As long as you get an IP rated towel rail (and connection) you can have it next to the bath etc. but no electrical stuff should be within 300mm of the floor.

These things should at least get you started, yes obviously you need to get your sparky to do it and of course check your plan but like I say you should at least get close with these rules

Matthew
(Yes I am registered)

Matthew

TonyR1973

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#1275321 1-Apr-2015 14:18

Just make sure the Electrician has a clear commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and that he's familiar with the Maori electricity terms:

MadEngineer

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#1281583 12-Apr-2015 19:11

pro tip: electrian won't put that power point that you want directly above the basin so you can kill yourself? have him install it in a cupboard, then swap the basin and cupboard around. this actually (unintentionally) happens.

oh, and for the lols:

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