Location of sockets in the bathroom. Socket in the bathroom - where to install

Until quite recently, just a few decades ago, the electrical equipment of bathrooms was very scarce. Most often it was limited to a lone incandescent lamp under the ceiling. A little later, the first washing machines appeared, which most often connected to outlets located outside the bathroom. In the 21st century, our bathrooms began to be massively filled with electrical appliances that needed power sources located directly in the bathroom. The advent of whirlpool tubs, showers, water heaters and other such equipment has led to the need for electrical outlets in the bathroom.

Wiring

Previously, it was believed that an outlet located close to water sources would necessarily lead to a short circuit, so they tried not to use electrical appliances in the bathroom. Now it has become inevitable and it is already difficult for us to imagine a bathroom without a hair dryer, fan, electric shaver and other useful appliances.

Of course, the wiring in the bathroom should be different from the wiring in other rooms. Sockets must have an appropriate moisture protection class, and installation is recommended in a hidden way and without the use of metal sleeves.

Rules for installation and installation

There are several normative documents, in which you can find the requirements regarding the arrangement of electrical wiring in various types premises. The most authoritative sources are the "Rules for the device electrical installations"(abbreviated PUE) and GOST R-50571.11.

• If you live in an old house that does not provide grounding for outlets, then you should take care of it yourself. Small power devices can be powered by safety transformers.
• Since the humidity in the bathroom is always high, the electrical wiring should be hidden. True, this statement is only advisory in nature. The main thing is to provide good insulation.
• To install sockets, you need to carefully choose a place: it is forbidden to do this on walls prone to condensation and at a distance closer than 0.6 meters from the bath.
• The bathroom must be chosen electrical sockets, with a certain class of protection against moisture and dust. It is denoted by the abbreviation IP and two numbers. These sockets are equipped with caps and rubberized elements. The minimum permissible degree of protection in the bathroom is IP 44.
• If you plan to connect a lot of powerful electrical appliances, then be sure to install a residual current device on the wiring that can protect your family members and household appliances from the effects of electric current.
• Requirements for the installation of powerful electrical appliances are usually spelled out in the operating instructions. Be sure to follow them! Use three-prong sockets with a three-wire cable and a circuit breaker.
• If you do not have sufficient electrical knowledge, entrust all electrical wiring work to a professional electrician.

Security basics

Close contact of electricity with water a priori cannot be safe, so the regulations do not recommend installing sockets in a bathroom with an area of ​​\u200b\u200bless than eight square meters. However, in our apartments, where even kitchens often barely reach six "squares", this requirement is almost impossible to fulfill.

The safety of using electrical outlets in bathrooms directly depends on the equipment used. Let's talk about it in more detail:

1. Grounding. If you live in a new building, then the builders most likely took care of it for you. The owners of "Khrushchev" and "Stalinok" were less fortunate. But you should not be upset: it is quite possible to ground the electrical wiring in the bathroom yourself. The ground loop is usually located in the shield, next to the meter. You need to connect a single-core cable to it and lead it to an individual shield, which is located in the apartment, or to a junction box with wires in the bathroom.
2. Circuit breaker, or as it is popularly called - “automatic”, it is necessary only if there is a washing machine or boiler in the bathroom. For these purposes, a machine with a power of 16 amperes is suitable. If powerful Appliances in the bathroom are not provided, you can do without it.
3. Residual current device it is also recommended to install only on highly loaded electrical wiring. However, you can install it just like that to feel completely safe. If water gets into the outlet, or any object that can lead to a voltage drop, the device will turn off the current supply, and no one and nothing will be hurt.
4. In the bathroom, you can not connect wires using twists, terminal blocks and other similar products. All connections and connections should be made outside the bathroom, even if you are installing hidden wiring.

Installation locations

As a rule, there is not much space in the bathroom in order to install an electrical outlet. Difficulties are also caused by the fact that not every free piece of space is suitable for this. If you visually divide the room into zones, you can determine which place is most suitable for mounting the outlet.

There will be four such zones:

• Zone 0- this is plumbing equipment: bath, sink, toilet, bidet, shower cabin. In other words, everything related to water. In this zone, the installation of sockets and other equipment whose voltage exceeds 12 V, with the exception of those necessary for the operation of plumbing fixtures, is prohibited.
• Zone 1- these are areas located above and below zone 0. Sockets cannot be mounted here, but you can install water heating equipment with a grounded case and IP N5 protection class.
• Zone 2- these are the same 0.6 m that should separate water sources from the connection points of electrical equipment. In this area, you can install sockets with a moisture protection class and not lower than IP N4.
• Zone 3- this territory, which begins where the previous zone ends. The width of this zone is 2.4 m. It is already possible to install electrical sockets with IP N1 protection class.

Choice

Having decided on the place where the outlet will be installed, you can go shopping. Choosing an electrical outlet for the bathroom is not so difficult, because of the variety presented in stores, only a few are suitable for us.

In this article, we have already mentioned more than once that an outlet installed in a room with high humidity must be protected from water drops.

IP NN marking will help determine the degree of protection, where the first digit indicates the dust protection class, and the second - from moisture.

IP N0 class sockets have no protection in principle, and IP N8 class sockets can withstand prolonged immersion under water to a depth of more than 1 m.

We need a golden mean - IP N4 or IP N5.

Waterproof sockets must be equipped with a cover and rubber waterproofing. It is also necessary to have grounding, that is, the presence of a third contact.

Among other things, sockets differ in the number of connected electrical appliances. The most popular options are single or double sockets. We recommend buying double sockets, as they help save space and use two electrical appliances at the same time.

Also, pay attention to the power that the electrical outlet is designed for. To connect, for example, a washing machine, you need a power of at least 16 amperes, and for a smaller household appliances 8 amps will be enough.

Installation process

First, consider the option when sockets are installed in the bathroom at the first stage of repair, respectively, all Decoration Materials dismantled and we are dealing with the rough surface of the walls.

Work order:

• Socket installation begins with dirty work. First, we mark on the wall the place where the socket will be mounted. Then, using a puncher with a special nozzle for working on concrete, we punch a hole for the socket in this place. Next, ditch the wall from the hole to the ceiling. Under the ceiling, we punch a through hole in the wall, through which we will then pull the wires.
• A simpler option is to immediately gouge the wall through and through, in the place where the outlet will be located. But in this case, the installation work done will have to be carefully disguised.
• We lay the socket in place and fix it with alabaster solution. We hook a three-core cable to it and take it out of the bathroom along the gate, fixing it with alabaster.
• We install the socket on the socket and connect the cable to the main electrical wiring - a shield or junction box, depending on the power of the equipment used.

In the USSR, it was believed that it was much more convenient to wash things in a basin, and shaving would be as efficient and clean as possible if you use the Neva machine. A hair dryer to dry hair was considered a bourgeois excess. In our modern and technological time, builders, engineers and designers still adhere to this point of view. So much more convenient. But when the average person makes repairs in old apartment or moves to a new one, an outlet in the bathroom must be present. This is often paid attention to, and often the matter is not limited to one outlet.

In the modern bathroom, which is equipped according to the latest canons, in addition to the washing machine, there are other electrical appliances. Now it is impossible to survive without a boiler, a hot tub or a bathtub. But the bathroom requires special conditions. There reigns high humidity. Therefore, installing outlets in the bathroom requires a serious approach. After all, moisture and electricity are a serious danger to life.

Types of modern sockets for bathrooms

Specifically for bathrooms, these elements are not available, and those that are still on sale do not differ in particular variety. They are classified according to two criteria. This is the power that a particular device can withstand, and the number of consumers that are connected. As for the number of devices, everything is very clear and understandable here. But in terms of power electrical devices worth figuring out. The current is measured in amperes. For particularly powerful equipment (which can be boilers or washing machines), sockets of 16 or more Amperes are required. Less powerful socket in the bathroom along with washing machine or another device will simply melt. This is a significant risk of short circuits.

The bathroom is always a humid environment, and a short circuit can lead to very unpredictable consequences. For low-power appliances, such as hair dryers, razors, curling irons, 6-8 A power elements are enough. Before buying, it is important to find out what are the differences between conventional solutions and specialized ones for bathrooms. Often, for these types of premises, it is recommended to use waterproof sockets. They are equipped with a cover that is able to protect the appliance from splashing water. Also, experts recommend purchasing and installing sockets with a third contact designed for grounding.

Primary requirements

Some people are still convinced that installing an outlet in the bathroom is strictly prohibited. Yes, there really was such a ban, but after 1996 it ceased to exist. But there were good reasons for this ban. The bathroom is a rather complex environment with a bathtub, water intakes, huge amount metal pipes. Of course, one can say that steel pipes- this is last century And the tub is mostly plastic. But the number of household devices has grown.

The ban is no longer valid. Its removal is due to the large distribution various means and electrical safety systems. It is forbidden to install sockets in rooms such as saunas, baths or showers. A socket in the bathroom of a private house or apartment is quite acceptable. Installation of elements in bathrooms of hotel rooms is also allowed. But there are certain stipulations in the rules.

RCD mandatory

It is allowed to connect the socket in a humid room only if there is a network. In this case, the operating current should not be more than 30 mA. As an alternative to such devices, you can use The maximum level of protection can be achieved by mounting two devices together. This is done voluntarily, and this is not the norm. If water gets into the socket, the device will automatically turn off the power supply at high resistance.

grounding

Electrical must be grounded. And the socket itself is equipped with a third contact. However, not every home has it. RCDs, as well as transformers, can work without it.

But as for the level of protection, it will be much lower than it could be. It is recommended to ground everything as much as possible metal systems and appliances. This will reduce the risk of short circuits and fires.

Hidden electrical wiring

The wiring must be laid in a hidden way. Open mounting is also allowed. But in this case, all places where the wires will be connected are carefully insulated. It is not recommended to install in metal pipes or steel metal hose. The outlet must be located at least 60 cm from grounded plumbing fixtures. Also, it is not allowed to install the element closer than 60 cm from the doors of the shower cabin. The minimum allowable height at which installation is possible is 130 cm from the floor level.

Security zones

Paragraph 7.1.47 of the PUE states that the bathroom is or is divided into four zones. Each of them has certain requirements regarding electrical safety. Zone 0 is the location inside the bathtub, washbasin or shower. It is allowed to install electrical devices protected from water with a voltage of up to 12 V type IPX7. In this case, power supplies are installed outside this zone. Installation of the socket in this case is prohibited.

Zone 1 is a place under the bath, above the washbasins, showers, bidets. It is allowed to install water-protected water heaters here, as well as luminaires with a protection class of at least IPX5. In this case, a "protective zero" is necessarily connected. Power outlets are prohibited in these areas. The heater can be connected to electricity through a completely sealed inlet or to a socket located in the third zone. Zone 2 is everything that is up to 60 cm and further from the first zone. Here you can set lighting with IPX4 waterproof rating. Also, the installation of fans is not prohibited. But the installation of sockets is prohibited. Zone 3 is anything that is within 2.4 m of the second zone. Here you can install waterproof sockets type IPX4. But they are connected through protective devices with a ground contact. Out of Zones high level danger, it is allowed to install ordinary IPX1 class sockets, install branching boxes and control devices. But you need to connect through protective equipment.

Marking and decoding codes of sockets and electrical appliances

Any electrical appliances (including sockets) are marked with a special marking - IPXY, where X is the level of protection against dust, and Y is against moisture. For the bathroom, it is recommended to use sockets and electrical appliances with a moisture protection class of at least the fourth. Electrical appliances marked "0" are not protected from moisture in any way. Class "1" assumes protection against condensate. The second and third - from the effects of vertical splashes.

Devices fourth grade reliably protected from serious splashes in any direction. It could be an outlet with a cover. Fifth class - devices that work with a powerful stream of water. Elements of the sixth and seventh types can operate at a depth of 1 m or more.

Preparing to install outlets

It can be done in two ways. This is the installation of a new point in an old place with the replacement of electrical wiring or the installation of a point with new wiring. The installation process takes place in several stages. For sockets, a separate group with a cable should be allocated. Before moving on to installation work, the line must be equipped with a separate machine. What it is? This is a special device that automatically turns off the power supply to the consumer. It is installed if the room has a boiler or washing machine.

If powerful household appliances are not available, you can do without it. Often its power is 16 amperes. When installing, it is necessary to maintain a height of at least 60 centimeters from the floor. A ground wire is required. The ideal choice is a socket with a cover. If the installation of elements is carried out without repair, then it is equipped with a separate cable, which is connected to the shield through the machine.

Installation process

The first step is to choose a suitable outlet and decide where it will be located. In order for the installation process to go quickly and at a high level, you should prepare necessary tools. So, we need a moisture-proof socket (6A or more). You will also need a Phillips screwdriver, a special tool for dismantling the insulation, an electrical indicator, a puncher.

If a new electrical point is being installed, but repairs are not being made, then any devices are chosen. If repairs are being made, and the wiring is changing, then for greater aesthetics, you should choose built-in products. very easy to install. So, in the first step, holes are drilled for mounting dowels. Then prepare the wires. This is the removal of insulation from the ends of the cable. It is not recommended to use a knife, otherwise the wire may be damaged. The next step is to install the dowels. Wires are connected to the outlet, and the case is fixed on the wall. The moisture-proof installation has special openings with plugs.

Wires are passed through them, and then connected. So the body of the device will be pressed against the wall more tightly. Thus, do-it-yourself installation of sockets in the bathroom is carried out. The same applies to switches. The process will not cause difficulties, and it is not at all difficult to choose the right devices now.

Summary

Without a doubt, an outlet in the bathroom is needed. What sockets to put in the bathroom? Definitely those that are maximally protected from high levels of humidity. This reduces the risk of short circuits and melting.

Good afternoon, dear guests of the Electrician's Notes website.

Today's article is about installing outlets in the bathroom. There are constant debates and discussions on the Internet about this.

The purpose of my article is to tell the whole truth about the installation of sockets in the bathroom or shower rooms.

You know that the bathroom room belongs to a room with increased danger (PUE, clause 1.1.13), therefore, special requirements are imposed on it.

So let's get started...

You can install sockets in the bathroom!

Yes, dear guests, it is possible to install sockets in the bathroom and shower rooms, I would even say it is necessary, because. the bathroom also has a row electrical appliances such as hair dryer, electric shaver, washing machine, electric towel warmer, shower cubicle and other electrical equipment.

By the way, I already wrote an article on how to electrical network. If you are interested, you can read.

I must say right away that all the requirements for installing sockets in the bathroom and shower rooms are spelled out in the regulatory technical literature called PUE (Chapter 7.1) and GOST R 50571.11 of 1996.

What does it say?

Requirements for outlets in the bathroom

1. Wiring

The first requirement for installing sockets in the bathroom is the requirement for electrical wiring. You already know everything. So in the bathroom, this includes both saunas and shower rooms, should only be used. Although the PUE paragraph below says that it is allowed and, but without the use of metal hoses.

2. Dividing the bathroom into zones

The second requirement for installing sockets in the bathroom is the zones into which the bathroom is divided. I will briefly talk about them. There are 4 zones in total:

• zone 0
• zone 1
• zone 2
• zone 3

To make it easier to imagine how the zones are located, I suggest you look at the pictures below. The images show top and side views for different bathroom designs. The red numbers indicate the zone numbers.

Bath (without a stationary partition).

Bathtub with a fixed partition.

Shower with tray and fixed partition.

Shower without a tray (with a sprinkler) and a stationary partition.

I think everything is clear with the zones in the bathroom. And now let's figure out what zone can be located in, especially for sockets.

Electrical equipment located in a certain area must comply with the requirements of this area. The requirements differ in terms of the degree of protection of the IP enclosure, the supply voltage and the availability of residual current devices.

In zone 0, it is forbidden to place any electrical appliances, except for those used for use in the bath itself (mainly up to 12 volts). In any case, they must have a degree of protection of the housing IPX7 (X - protection against solid particles and bodies in the bathroom is not of particular interest to us, 7 - protection against water penetration during temporary immersion).

Only water heaters are allowed in zone 1. In addition, they must have a degree of protection of the housing IРХ5 (5 - protection against water jets from all sides under low pressure).

And in zone 2 it is already allowed to install water heaters, exhaust fans and 2nd class lamps, which are switched on with a cord. All installed electrical equipment in zone 2 must have a degree of protection of the enclosure IPX4 (4 - protection against splashes and water pouring from all sides).

In zones 0, 1 and 2, it is forbidden to install junction boxes, sockets and various control devices (for example, thermostats for).

In zone 3, it is already possible to install sockets, switches, thermostats and other electrical equipment, but if any of the following conditions is met:

• the lines are fed through an isolating transformer
• the line is protected by an RCD or a differential circuit breaker with a setting of not more than 30 (mA)

At the same time, the degree of protection for sockets, switches and other equipment in the bathroom installed in zone 3 should be IPX1, but for reliability I still recommend IPX4 (X - protection against solid particles and bodies in the bathroom is not of particular interest to us, 1 - protection against drops of water falling vertically, 4 - protection against splashes and water pouring from all sides).

For example, IPX4 sockets are waterproof, their design consists of a protective cover. This is how the socket in the bathroom of my apartment looks like with an IP44 enclosure rating.

You can learn about the purpose of an RCD (residual current device) or difavtomat from the article about. If you do not have the opportunity to install an RCD in an apartment panel (for example, there is no space), then you can use portable RCDs. I talked about this in an article on how to do it right.

I think that everything is clear about the zones. The main thing is that the distance from the outlet to the edge of the bath, shower door or washbasin is at least 60 (cm).

Here is a photo confirming the above:

3. Potential equalization system (SES)

Another requirement for installing sockets in the bathroom or shower rooms is the presence of (SMS). Follow the link, there I described everything in detail and talked about the soup.

conclusions

Once again I repeat to you that it is possible and even necessary to install sockets in shower rooms and bathrooms, but subject to all the above requirements. These requirements are not so complex as to be neglected.

P.S. And at the end of the article, I want to ask: “Do you have sockets in the bathroom installed according to all the listed requirements?”

More recently, a socket in the bathroom, as well as the installation of electrical wiring to it, was virtually impossible due to the high risk of short circuits, fire, etc. In addition, the need to use an outlet in this room did not appear very often, because. Previously, the rooms had standard cast-iron bathtubs and classic washstands that did not need electrical power.

But these days, the sockets in the bathroom are prerequisite. Previously, 10 years ago, their installation was something unacceptable, because. the owners were afraid of water ingress, which would cause short circuit. In addition, there was no extreme need for an electrical outlet in the bathroom, because in those days the owners of apartments and houses used classic plumbing, independent of electricity.

Today, a bathroom without power will be considered insufficiently comfortable, because. an outlet is needed for:

• the operation of the washing machine;
• jacuzzi functioning;
• turning on a hair dryer, epilator, razor;
• power supply of the water-heating tank;
• functioning of drying for towels and hands;
• hood work;
• mirror installation with lighting.

Installing a socket in the bathroom with your own hands

Each of these electrical appliances can shock, because of this, the installation of power supply and sockets needs a competent approach, because we are talking about the electrical safety of the room.

Installation of an electrical outlet in the bathroom should be carried out, observing certain conditions. When the socket is mounted incorrectly, then a tragic outcome is even possible.

Installation rules

1. The most important condition for installing an outlet in the bathroom (see photo of competent installation below) is that it should be placed at a distance of 60 cm from the sink, bathtub or shower cabin.
2. Each electrical outlet must have a grounding conductor.
3. It is advisable to hide the wiring to create additional security in case condensation forms on the wires or drops fall on it.
4. To prevent condensation from accumulating, sockets should not be placed on the outer sides of the walls.
5. The greatest distance of the outlet from the bath (vertically) is 1 meter.
6. Each place where the wiring is connected should be carefully insulated.
7. For the bathroom, special sockets are used, protected from moisture marked ip44. This product has wings and a seal that create additional moisture resistance, and grounding.

Electrical wiring in the bathroom

The norms related to the installation of electrical outlets in high humidity conditions are specified in GOST R-50571.11. special literature "PUE" (chapter 7.1.). It should be noted that the rules for electrical outlets in bathrooms, baths, showers, bathrooms are often associated with operational electrical appliances: a socket for washing machine in the bathroom must meet one requirement, and the food for the hair dryer must meet other standards.

Installation diagram of the socket in the bathroom

Wiring in a damp room, of course, is hidden, because. in the bathroom, the moisture content is always very high, which can lead to a direct interaction of electricity with moisture. And this, of course, is unacceptable.

As a rule, the requirement of clause 7.1.40 of the PUE is often misunderstood, mistakenly believing that in the bathrooms it is necessary to make closed electrical wiring. In reality, such a rule is optional, but desirable; cables can be laid outside, but sleeves and pipes made of metal should not be used.

Conditions for installing a socket in the bathroom

Because the bathroom is the most wet place in the dwelling, the installation of the socket must be carried out in accordance with strict conditions depending on electrical appliances that will be plugged into the outlet in the bathroom:

1. If you follow all safety standards, then the sockets in the bathroom must certainly be grounded, which is not available in most old-style houses. Therefore, it is better to use isolation transformers to power devices with low power (epilator, razor).
2. All electrical safety regulations must be followed in without fail: must be taken into account high humidity, therefore, the wiring must be hidden, and each place where the wires are combined should be well insulated.
3. On cold surfaces on which condensation appears, it is forbidden to install an outlet. And the distance from the sink to the outlet and the bath, according to the PUE, must be at least 60 cm.
4. In addition, it is recommended to use special waterproof sockets for the bathroom, the price of which, of course, is higher than the cost of standard products. However, such investments will be justified by covers and seals that do not give moisture a single chance to penetrate into the electrical system.
5. If the equipment has a large power, then the connection and protection against current damage must be done using an RCD, in other words, a protective shutdown mechanism. Most often, the installation rules are written in the instructions attached to the technique, for example, a jacuzzi. To connect these electrical appliances, sockets with 3 pins and three-wire wires are used. But washing machines are not recommended to be connected using extension cords.
6. In addition, for connection they need a special protected RCD (leakage current 10 mA) line. It is also necessary to make an automatic switch offered by the manufacturer.
7. Of course, that the work of such a plan must be carried out by professionals.

Installation methods

The socket for the bathroom is installed in 2 ways: the wiring is changed and new sockets are installed, and in the second case, the same actions are performed, only the old wiring is not replaced by a new one.

Distance of outlets in the bathroom from the water source

How to install new sockets in the bathroom

1. Are you in the mood to rewire and install new sockets in the bathroom? Then keep in mind that the electrical wiring in this case is displayed in a separate group, and then it is powered by an electric wire.
2. To save electrical wiring, a separate circuit breaker is installed.
3. Protection against damage that occurs in the event of damaged cable insulation by current is carried out by installing a protective shutdown mechanism. This device is placed next to the machine, while the ratings of the mechanisms must match each other.

Helpful Hint: RCD turn-off current should not exceed 10 milliamps.

1. The minimum height of outlets in rooms with high humidity should be at least 60 cm from the height of the bath or shower. This option is allowed if electrical circuit protected by RCD or isolating transformer.
2. The electrical wiring of the bathroom is made using a three-core wire, which has double insulation, and it must also be provided with a protective conductor.
3. It is important that the outlet is as grounded as possible.
4. It is imperative that the electrical outlets located near the cabin or bath are half sealed, i.e. it is recommended that there be a closing lid.

Installing sockets in the bathroom yourself

How to install an additional outlet in the bathroom

1. If the installation of an electrical outlet is planned in a room where there are no repair work, then 2 methods can be considered: make grounding from the existing wiring paths, and then install an isolating transformer, or connect new wiring from the electrical switchboard, which is protected by an automatic device in accordance with the RCD or an autonomous circuit breaker.

Important: various circuit breakers have the functions of an RCD, as well as ZA.

1. Another additional electrical outlet must be located no less than 60 cm from the edges of the bath. It should be semi-hermetic, and it is better that it has a protective cover.
2. When the room is very large area, for example, (this is possible in a mansion, on suburban area) in a wooden structure it is allowed to install permeable sockets. However, the distance from the location of the bath must be at least 2.5 m or more. An outlet located in a room with high humidity must certainly be grounded, and also connected to a protective transmitter.

Should be remembered : the installation of metal structures and pipes for the purpose of grounding is strictly prohibited.

We make a socket in the bathroom with our own hands

If you are thinking about how to make an outlet in the bathroom yourself, know that today this process can be done without the help of an electrician. But it is important that every rule technical security was strictly observed. Remember that it is better not to allow people who do not think anything in electrics to do this type of work. After all, the illiterate actions of an amateur can create conditions health threatening and even life.

Fixing a socket in the bathroom We make a socket in the bathroom with our own hands

It is difficult to imagine modern life without such devices as sockets, which greatly facilitate the life of every person. And no one is surprised by the socket in the bathroom, which is necessary for a washing machine, hair dryer, electric shaver. It has a certain level of moisture protection and acts as an indicator of comfort. But at the same time, such an outlet will require competent installation and use.

The need for sockets

In old houses, bathrooms are not equipped with sockets. And sometimes it is inconvenient to use various household appliances. Modern bathrooms are different large area and equipment various devices: shower cabins, boilers, hydromassage, hairdryer, electric shaver. They make life comfortable. Since using extension cords is inconvenient and unsafe, there was a need to install sockets.

It should be borne in mind that in bathrooms there is often a need to connect a curling iron or install a washing machine. The latter is not recommended to be connected through an extension cord. Additional outlets with moisture protection may be needed for a dryer, underfloor heating or illuminated mirrors.

Determination of the type of bathroom devices

According to the rules, the placement of sockets in the bathroom is not prohibited, although due to the possibility of condensation, water drops, there is a risk of injury electric shock. This also applies to toilets. Therefore, the issue of placement and installation of sockets must be approached with skill and all seriousness. Ordinary outlets for damp or water-exposed areas are suitable, but only when located within 2.5 meters of water. Waterproof outlets work best.

Their choice is not very diverse, it is based on a classification according to two criteria - the number of connected devices and power. The last indicator is important, it depends on which sockets and for which devices you should purchase.

For example, you need a socket for a washing machine with a power of at least 16 A, and for an electric shaver, 8 A is enough. They will definitely need grounding, and you need to choose devices that have an additional contact.

Regarding the design of outlets, everything is individual. Manufacturers produce a sufficient variety of devices with moisture protection that can fit into any interior. But the most important rule in choosing such devices is to pay attention to the markings. It will allow you to decide which outlet is suitable for a particular place in the bathroom. Housing protection is one of the main features designed in accordance with international standards.

There is a standardized code of four characters - IPXX. The first two characters refer directly to the very concept of protection, and the next two - protection against the ingress of dust with particles and moisture with water.

For example, the IP 44 marking means that the socket is protected from foreign particles larger than 1 mm, as well as all-round splashes. And the IP 68 marking indicates that the socket is able to withstand complete immersion in water. The final choice depends on in which zones you need to place the sockets.

Division of the bathroom into zones

The process of installing socket devices in bathrooms is regulated by the relevant standards and regulations. According to them, sockets must meet the following requirements:

• have a hidden type of installation (inside the wall, protective housing);
• be equipped with a grounding contact;
• correspond to the degree of protection against moisture not lower than 4 (according to IP);
• have a connection to the mains through an isolating transformer, RCD, differential machine.

According to the regulations, devices should be distributed in accordance with the areas of the bathroom. There are four such zones:

• 0 - located in close proximity to water sources (baths, sinks, showers); in this zone it is allowed to place equipment whose operating voltage does not exceed 12 V;

• 1 - located above the previous zone; installation of socket devices is possible in the presence of shower rooms with a cover protruding as a partition between zones 0 and 1;

• 2 - is a strip 0.6 m wide, originating from the boundaries of the two previous zones (outer edges); it is allowed to install devices with a moisture protection class of 4 or higher for electric shavers, hair dryers and similar devices;

• 3 - starts from the outer boundaries of the 2nd zone, ending after 2.4 m; here it is allowed to mount sockets marked IP1.

Before installing the sockets, it is imperative to distribute the room into zones, and then proceed to the direct installation.

Choosing locations

The guideline in choosing the location of outlets should be the subdivision by zones and a number of additional parameters (PUE). It should be borne in mind that the correct location of devices in the bathrooms is 60 cm from the source of moisture. The optimal level corresponds to the average between suitable area and ease of use.

Therefore, the outlet for the washing machine is installed at a height of 40 or 50 cm from the floor. It should be borne in mind that dampness with temperature creates conditions for the formation of condensate on the walls. This also applies to walls adjacent to landings. Therefore, you should install socket devices at a height of at least 1.3 m from the floor surface.

And the height of the socket for the shower cabin should not exceed its cover (2 m). The possibility of flooding should also be considered, so you should not place sockets low from the floor. In the case of installing sockets in old houses, preference should be given to semi-hermetic devices marked IP 44, installing them far from the water source.

Electrical safety rules

Having considered the rules for zoning the bathroom and choosing the optimal locations, you should move on to the installation rules regarding electrical safety.

1. Implementation of grounding. It is the factor that is responsible for safety and is provided even in old-style houses. Grounding must not be led to the bathroom, metal pipelines, building fittings. It must be brought to the entrance shield, where circuit breakers for instant de-energization of the apartment, or to a junction box.
2. Automata. Such switches should be installed when the power of the equipment connected to the outlets is large enough. This situation occurs when a washing machine is installed indoors. If one electric shaver will work, it is possible to connect to a common electrical network.
3. RCD. Such protection should not be denied. It is useful to install a device with a protective shutdown in the bathroom for all wiring. In this case, the RCD will react to the slightest leakage currents and turn off the power supply completely.

It should also be pointed out that bathrooms do not need any terminal blocks with twists and other wire connectors (even under tiles). An exception is terminals for fixtures. Communication of the premises should be carried out outside of it. When mounting distribution wiring, do it on the other side of the wall.

Choosing wires

Moisture-resistant electrical outlets should be connected using a three-wire double-insulated cable. Each conductor of such a cable has its own marking in the form of a different color shade, which facilitates the installation process. According to the rules, the phase wire is painted in Brown color, ground - in yellow-green, and zero - in blue or blue.

It is worth connecting the sockets in the room using copper cables, which:

• less susceptible to oxidation;
• they are flexible, allowing you to easily connect the cable to the appropriate pins;
• have the ability to withstand significant loads;
• have a small contact resistance when connected to sockets, machines.

Copper cable strands can consist of a whole bundle of twisted cables or a single thick wire. There isn't much difference between the two, but the thicker wire is less flexible, so it will be a bit difficult to plug the outlet close to the floor. And twisted wires when connected to an electrical outlet will require solder coating. You should also pay attention to the diameter of the wire, which will directly depend on the number of devices connected to the outlet.

Carrying out the wiring

Wiring is carried out at the stage of rough finishing and can be done in two ways:

Gating

Used for mounting concealed wiring, allowing you to hide it in the wall. First you need to determine and mark the route on the walls of the bathroom, where the cables are supposed to be laid. They should be placed vertically on a plumb line or under the ceiling, horizontally. Additionally, it should be noted the location of the sockets.

Then you need to go to the direct procedure of gating. It can be carried out by means of a strobe or a puncher with a special nozzle. For large volumes, disk is suitable cutting tool(Bulgarian with a segmented diamond disc). Then attach the cables using an aluminum mounting strip or a perforated one. In their absence, alabaster is perfect. You can also use a dowel-clamp. Then it remains only to close the channel with the laid cables.

Drywall installation

Drywall partitions do not lose popularity so far, because it is of high quality, convenient and fast. And it is also convenient to lay the wiring under it. The main thing is to avoid "meetings" with self-tapping screws or screws on which drywall is attached. Usually, wiring laid 20 cm from the floor helps with this.

But for reliability, the cables should be carried out in a corrugated pipe that has the appropriate fire safety certificate. This must be done before sheathing the second side of the partition. It should be pulled through the holes located in uprights frame. If the corrugated pipe will pass close to the self-tapping screw, you should move it or bite off the self-tapping screw. Next, you should fill the voids of the partition with soundproofing and sheathe the second side so that the cables are tightly clamped between the partitions.

If the above methods are not suitable, there is another option - installing electrical wiring in a box. Modern boxes are made of durable plastic, characterized by inability to ignite. The box consists of two parts: one must be fixed to the wall with simple nails or screws. The second part is easily snapped onto the finished base, only before that a wire should be pulled through it. This installation option provides additional safety from damage and fire.

Mounting wires through the box is a very simple task. It is enough to make markings in accordance with the project, cut the necessary sections of the box and install it along with the wiring. Another advantage of using the box is the ability to open it at any time and replace the wires if necessary. The aesthetic side of the issue also plays an important role. Experienced manufacturers produce boxes of various colors and imitations for cornices or skirting boards, so they do not spoil the interior at all.

We install sockets

Before installing sockets in the bathroom, you should decide how many there will be in total. It is necessary to provide each consumer with a power source. It is possible to mount double or triple sockets. This is more convenient than installing several single ones. Next, you need to proceed to the installation, which can be carried out in several ways.

1. Overhead installation type. It involves the installation of moisture-proof outdoor-type sockets with a protruding plastic housing. Often used when laying cables in plastic boxes. It is carried out using self-tapping screws that fix the device to a partition or a concrete (brick) wall.
2. Hidden installation type. It is used when conducting cables in drywall or slab. If mounting in drywall is intended, a hole should be made in it according to the diameter of the box for the outlet. Then you need to press it to the drywall with special screws, and then connect the wires. Next, attach the socket to the box. When installing the device in the wall, you first need to make an annular groove that matches the size of the outlet box. After that, a hole is cut out with a puncher or a chisel and a box is fixed in it. Further installation does not differ from the previous version.

1. Mounting inside protective cover. According to safety requirements, sockets with a moisture protection class of at least IP4 should be installed in the bathroom. But if necessary, this requirement can be circumvented. The location of the device inside the electrical panel housing with IP4 water protection class will help in this. This design should be used in two cases:
   • there is no way to purchase waterproof sockets;
   • there is a need to install a built-in lighting switch or a floor heating control unit inside the shield.
2. First you need to fasten the shield to the wall using dowel-nails, then bring the end of the cable inside and connect it to the terminal block using the appropriate terminals. Mounting brackets will help to fix the socket in the shield housing.

Waterproof sockets are devices that are difficult to do without in modern life. They allow you to easily use a washing machine, heat water with a boiler or dry your hair with a hairdryer. Such sockets are very diverse and require certain placement conditions. Subject to the necessary safety measures, it will be a pleasure to use sockets with moisture protection.