Where should outlets be located in the bathroom?

If we talk about the location of the outlet in the bathroom, then it should be connected in accordance with the standards and existing restrictions.We understand perfectly well that the bathroom is a place where there is high humidity, which means that sockets, like switches, must be protected and located at the correct distance from water sources.

Let's dwell on the question of where to install sockets in the bathroom, and also what they should be? It is worthwhile to dwell separately on examples of connecting some stationary devices that can be used in this room. However, first about the existing requirements.

The article was created with the support of specialists from LK Studio, a Russian manufacturer of sockets, switches and dimmers.

Standards for installing sockets in the bathroom

The bathroom is a room with high humidity. However, humidity is unevenly distributed in it, so so-called humidity zones are distinguished. There are only four of them:

• zone “0” has the highest humidity, this is the location of the shower stall, the bathtub itself, as well as the water tap (here the water is present directly, and the zone itself is constantly wet);
• zone “1”, these are all places in this room that are directly adjacent to the zero zone, if we talk about distances, then within 30 cm (direct ingress of water is also possible here);
• zone “2” is located at a distance of more than 60 cm from objects and places of the zero zone;
• zone “3” - all remaining places in this room that are located outside all of the above zones.

Naturally, the outlet itself should be installed according to the rules and in a safe place.

Location rules

Strictly speaking, the outlet must be installed in the third zone for its safe operation. In other words, it is as far away from the shower stall as possible, as well as from the water tap. If your bathroom sink is used on a countertop, then the socket can be placed above the countertop at least 15 cm in height, and also at least 30 cm away from the edge of the sink to the right or left, but far from the shower stall. It is better to make this distance 60 cm.

The socket in the bathroom should not be exposed to direct streams of water. However, the outlet itself can be chosen of good quality and with protection. Good quality implies the ability of the mechanism not to be destroyed by moisture, and the contact group to provide a good connection.

If we talk about protection, we recommend that you use sockets in the bathroom with protective curtains. Such curtains are directly used as protection against small children, in order to avoid electric shock to the baby if he suddenly decides to play with sockets.

However, such curtains will prevent the accumulation of moisture on the contacts at the moment when high humidity accumulates in this room. We also recommend using special frames with lids for protection. Such covers provide a degree of climate protection IP 44, which is enough for safe operation of the socket in the bathroom.

Quantity

If we talk about the number of sockets in the bathroom, or more precisely about the existing restrictions in this regard, then you can install as many of them as you need, the main thing is to follow the rules for their location. Here it is possible to connect a group of sockets in the form of a modular connection.

The bathroom sockets themselves must be of good quality. Here you can choose products from famous Western brands that have proven themselves well in our market and throughout the world. If you don’t want to pay for a name, but you need excellent quality, then you can choose switches and sockets from one of the best Russian companies LK Studio.

The LK60 series of electrical installation products from this brand includes socket options with protective curtains, as well as frames with covers that provide IP 44 protection. These are the options we recommend you use for your shower room.

What should be the height to the sockets?

Let's look at the question at what height should sockets be located in the bathroom. You can also consider some options for connecting household appliances most often used in this room. In general, the height from the floor to place an outlet in the bathroom should be more than 30 cm.

It is important to maintain a distance from the shower stall, it should be at least 70-80 cm, especially if you place the sockets in height close to the floor. The distance above the tabletop should be at least 15 cm. Hidden wiring should also be used. The wires inside the walls are placed in special plastic pipes. And the bare ends of the cable, when connected to the contacts of the socket, must be fastened efficiently, without the formation of a gap or backlash.

How should some appliances be connected in the bathroom?

For washing machine

If you plan to connect the washing machine in the bathroom, then it should be connected to the outlet located:

• in an inconspicuous but easily accessible place for maintenance;
• far from the shower and in the third zone;
• high above the floor (at least 30 cm).

The outlet itself must have a protective cover.This is the most important requirement because... You should not keep the washing machine constantly on, especially if you have electrical networks in your house without a ground loop.

For hair dryer and other household appliances

For standard low-power appliances, the socket in the bathroom is installed in a place convenient for its use. It is important to place it in the third zone. Such devices include a hair dryer, electric razor, etc. If you need to install several power points, you can install as many as you need.

For water heater

If you install a water heater in the bathroom, then connecting this device requires a separate dedicated line. Such a line must be protected by an automatic circuit breaker and an RCD (residual current device).

If the technical characteristics of the water heater meet the parameters:

• voltage 220V;
• rated current up to 16A;
• maximum power up to 3.5 kW.

In this case, you only need a regular cable with a core cross-sectional diameter of 2.5 sq. mm. It is also possible to use a regular outlet and place it in the third zone of the bathroom. If the water heater has large nominal parameters, then separate electrical wiring with a large cable cross-section should be laid, and a power outlet should be used.

How to draw up a layout of sockets

If you are planning to do a major renovation in the bathroom with the installation of an electrical network and installation of power supply points for household appliances, then you should start by drawing up a diagram. When drawing up a diagram for installing sockets, you need to adhere to the rules and restrictions that we described above.

One of the important points in installing sockets for a bathroom is to remove them from direct contact with water. The best option in this case would be to mark the humidity zones on the diagram, and then plan the installation of power points.

Common mistakes

When laying wires in the bathroom, as well as installing sockets there, you can make a mistake. Among the most common are:

• connecting the washing machine and water heater from the same line, they must be connected to separate lines, and to a dedicated one for the water heater;
• violation of the placement of the outlet relative to humidity zones and height from the floor;
• use of low-quality sockets. Here it is worth selecting products that do not have ceramics as the main material for making the mechanism;
• lack of additional protection from moisture at power supply points;
• operation when connected to a non-de-energized or partially de-energized network (switching off should be done at the input circuit breaker);
• discrepancy between the operating characteristics of the water heater and the installed electrical networks.

The last point should be considered separately if you install a water heater in the bathroom. When using ordinary household appliances, ordinary sockets will do, and the same applies to connecting a washing machine.