Installing bathroom electrics

Installing bathroom electrics can be a very dangerous project. This article will look at how to safely deal and install bathroom electrics in your home.

Hire an electrician to install
electrics in your home

The bathroom is the one room in the house where there are stricter safety standards than usual. Anybody considering electrical work of any kind should check the current safety regulations and restrictions before carrying out any work. Also, if at any point you are unsure on installing your bathroom electrics seek advice from a professional electrician in your area.

Wiring for appliances in the bathroom

Appliances in your bathroom should be wired in via fused connection units, not ordinary three-pin plugs. These units are best kept out of reach of children and in a place where there will be no contact with water. With some appliances, like convector heaters, this might not be practical, so the fused units should be mounted on the walls where they can’t come into contact with someone using the bath or basin.

Connections for electric shower units in the bathroom

Obviously the shower unit itself must be waterproof but most of the wiring, if you're lucky, can be done from behind the shower if it's attached to a stud wall. When installing your electric shower the power must be supplied direct from the fuse box or consumer unit on its own circuit with a 30amp rating. The cable must be routed via a switch which should have a red light attached which indicates whether the power to the shower is on or off. Once again this needs to be out of the reach of anyone using the shower and usually located by the door.

Pull cords for bathroom lighting

The rationale when installing a pull cord light in the bathroom is to keep wet hands from the electrical part of the switch and prevent shocks. If it's really going to be a problem running the wiring into the ceiling for a pull cord then you are allowed to use an ordinary switch but it must be installed outside of the bathroom.

Electrics for shaver sockets and wall lights

Another important aspect of installing bathroom electrics are the shaver sockets and wall lights. They often come in a combined unit with a light which can be very useful when positioned over a mirror in front of a basin, particularly for shaving. A shaver socket and light unit should be wired into the 13amp ring main but ordinary wall lights will take power from the 5amp lighting circuit, which may also need to be installed in your bathroom. There are no specific rules about installing wall lights in a bathroom but they come under the same general rules as other devices.

Installing bathroom electrics is by far one of the most dangerous household projects that can be undertaken. Always make sure to hire a professional if you have any doubts and check regularly with electrical guidelines before attempting to install your bathroom electrics.