I've got a sink in the back of the garage; on the same wall as the consumer unit and about 600mm away. Are there any rules for minimum separation? If there are rules, can I meet them by building a cupboard around the CU?
Dave
Not that give specific distances, but there are general rules (in the
528-02 group of regulations) about protection from foreseeable hazards and operations from and on non-electrical services. In this case splashing and condensation are the obvious hazards you need to consider. Common sense applies, really - if there's an obvious risk of splashing it's not satisfactory unless the CU is in an enclosure of unusually high IP rating.There is generally accepted guidance that sockets and the like should not be closer then 300 mm to the sink edge, measured horizontally on plan. But that applies to sockets at the normal sort of height above a worktop and I'd expect a CU to be somewhat higher, giving a much greater vertical separation which of course will reduce the risk of splashing.
That might help, but remember that switchgear should be readily accessible. A CU in a deep cupboard such that stuff could be piled up in front of it is not a satisfactory arrangement.
Thanks Andy! It sounds like it would be worth making a simple wooden barrier - maybe shaped like an "L".
Dave
On Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:14:08 +0000 someone who may be NoSpam wrote this:-
Personally I would be more concerned about whether the earthing arrangements are up to scratch.
What do people do with the sink? Do they spray water from a hose or just was their hands? If the former then it is a different situation to the latter.
All the plumbing is plastic so no Earth required. It's only used for washing hands/things so the spray risk is small, but I think a barrier of some form would be a good idea.
On a related matter, please can someone advise me how far from the bathroom washbasin must the shaver socket should be? It's one of those proper shaver sockets with an isolating transformer inside.
The current position is about 500mm directly above the basin but I have an opportunity to move it to somewhere better if that is desirable.
thank you,
Robert
Satisfactory to whom? My CU in my house is at the back of the L shaped cupboard under the stairs and is difficult to get to even without anything in the cupboard.
On 22 Mar 2007 08:49:20 -0700, "adder1969" mused:
Anyone and everyone really.
I find that unsatisfactory, do you?
On 22 Mar 2007 08:31:28 -0700, "Robert Laws" mused:
The first reply in this topic answers this question with clarity I believe.
I don't see that it does..
Robert
What more information do you need? The shaver supply unit must comply with BS EN 60742 (i.e. it must have an isolating transformer). It must not be installed in Zones 0 or 1 (i.e. not in or directly over a bath or shower tray. If in Zone 2 - immediately adjacent to bath or shower - it must be located such that direct spray from a shower is unlikely. Other than that there are no specific restrictions, but the common sense precautions I mentioned earlier still apply. In its present position is it likely to get sprayed or splashed? At 500 mm above a basin the risk of splashing is probably fairly small, although this position does seem a little low. Something like 600 - 700 mm above basin height is probably more usual.
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