Gpo In Bathroom

[gregt]

Just wondering if there is a minimum distance above a bathroom vanity required for a new power outlet. I currently have 100mm but need to drop it down due to buying a larger than thought mirror:doh:.
Regards
Greg

[NCArcher]

Greg the GPO is not allowed within an area 400mm above and 150mm to the sides of the basin.
Check with your electrician before attaching the mirror.

[Yonnee]

I was under the impression that it was 600mm from any water source??

[NCArcher]

I was under the impression that it was 600mm from any water source??
No.
Sect 7.1 of AS3000. It depends on the volume of the water container.

[Pulse]

NCarcher is spot on..

[elkangorito]

Just wondering if there is a minimum distance above a bathroom vanity required for a new power outlet. I currently have 100mm but need to drop it down due to buying a larger than thought mirror:doh:.
Regards
Greg

As already suggested, this is not permitted unless other conditions have been met. Below is the AS/NZS 3000:2000 ruling. I have bolded the important parts. To further clarify, you wish to install a GPO in 'zone 2'.



7.1.4.2 Socket-outlets.

Socket-outlets shall not be installed within 0.3 m of the floor of a bathroom,laundry or other similar location where the floor is likely to become wet.

In addition, and regardless of the degree of protection provided by the equipment, the following conditions shall apply to the installation of socketoutlets in the classified zones:

(a) In Zones 0 and 1 socket-outlets shall not be permitted.
(b) In Zone 2, socket-outlets shall not be permitted unless they—
(i) have automatic switching and are incorporated in a shaver supply unit complying with AS/NZS 3194; or
(ii) are protected by a RCD with a maximum rated residual current of 30 mA; and
(iii) are enclosed in a cupboard provided that the enclosure is maintained during the normal operation of the connected equipment.

In summary, the only way that you can install a GPO in the location that you wish, is to make sure that it is RCD protected AND it is enclosed in a cupboard provided that the enclosure is maintained during the normal operation of the connected equipment.

[gregt]

Is that right. I have two bathrooms in our new house and they both have power outlets above the vanity basin to the side. They are all RCD protected. Does this mean they are illegal? The electrician put them there!
Greg

[Dan]

How far to the side of the basin are they?

[another termite]

i am looking at the pic in AS:3000 right now and as said if the capacity is less than 45L it must be 400mm above or 150mm to the side(this is to the closest edge of the GPO.
Hope that helps.

[another termite]

My rules say they are not permitted in zone 0,1 or 2 at all only in zone 3 which is outside above measurements

[Dan]

My rules say they are not permitted in zone 0,1 or 2 at all only in zone 3 which is outside above measurements
It may help if you quote the clause and standard you're looking at so we can follow,

[gregt]

It is a 1200mm vanity so the power point would be approx 500mm to one side and up 100mm from the vanity top. I've seen it heaps of times before. There must be another clause. Maybe Santa can help.:D

[elkangorito]

As per AS/NZS 3000:2000, purchased 2006, with amendments 1,2 & 3, Fig 7.1C(a) & Table 7.1;

I'll have to do this in 2 separate posts...file size too big.

[elkangorito]

Here is the next pic...had to change to GIF.

Also, this may help;

7.1.2.2 Other fixed water containers.
The requirements for fixed water containers other than baths and showers are based on the dimensions of the following two zones (examples are given in Figure 7.1C):
(a) Zone 0 shall be the area of the interior of the water container.
(b) Zone 2 shall be—
(i) for individual water containers with a capacity not exceeding 45 L, the area limited by—
(A) the vertical plane 0.15 m from the internal rim of the water
container; and
(B) the floor and the horizontal plane 0.4 m above the water
container; and

NOTE: Figure 7.1C(a) shows a typical double bowl sink where the capacity of each container does not exceed 45 L.
(ii) for water containers with a capacity exceeding 45 L, the area limited by—
(A) the vertical plane 0.5 m from the internal rim of the water
container; and
(B) the floor and the horizontal plane 1.0 m above the water
container.
NOTES:
1 There are no Zones 1 or 3 associated with these water containers.
2 The zones do not extend beyond the boundaries of the room.

[Drongo]

Uhuh, so now I really understand! :no: Can I really have a powerpoint in the bathroom I am currently building or should I just run an extension lead out the door?

[peter_sm]

The 400mm above and 150mm to the side is what we had to fit, as per pic.

[Border boy]

Check with your sparky as he should hopefully have some understanding of your local regs. Here in NSW our sparky installed a GPO 150mm away from the highest water level in our vanity sink. We are talking horizontally not vertically. I wouldn't like to live with a bathroom that could get water up to 900 mm outside the vanity!!

[Dan]

The 400mm above and 150mm to the side is what we had to fit, as per pic.
It doesn't have to be both.
You can mount a point 400mm (no less) directly above the basin if you want, or mount it at bench height so long as it's 150mm off to one side.
Look at elkangorito's pic, anywhere outside the exclusion zone is ok.

[gregt]

Just to be clear, so long as the outlet is more than 150mm either side of the vanity bowl, all is sweet. If it can't be more than 150mm it has to be above 400mm high?

[NCArcher]

Just to be clear, so long as the outlet is more than 150mm either side of the vanity bowl, all is sweet. If it can't be more than 150mm it has to be above 400mm high?

As i said in the first reply. go 150 either side of the basin edge. draw a line up 400 mm from each point. draw a horizontal line joining the two vertical lines. The GPO is NOT allowed anywhere within that square.

[elkangorito]

Even if you install the GPO outside of zone 2, I would still make sure that it is RCD protected. As for using extension leads in wet areas...bad idea.

[peter_sm]

Wow! Our GPO is super compliant.

[Bloss]

I have just renovated a bathroom and was unable to place a power point anywhere near the basin and mirror because the basin sits between the bath and the shower and would not comply to AS3000 according to my electrician. I argued after looking at the rules, but he won.

Fortunately we had decided to install a vanity cupboard with mirror doors and lights elsewhere in the room and an existing powerpoint was compliant.

This seems overkill relative to the risk in my view and is also ignored often - I looked at many bathrooms before re-doing mine and almost all had non-complaint GPOs.

With a compulsory RCD installed where is the real likelihood of danger?

[elkangorito]

With a compulsory RCD installed where is the real likelihood of danger?

RCD's are electronic devices & as such, are prone to failure. Failure can be caused by such things as harmonics & lightning. For these reasons, it is advisable to test the RCD weekly or immediately after an electrical storm.

[Drongo]

Thanks for clarifying guys. Now I understand where I can position the GPO. All my circuits are off RCD's, too.

[Wombat2]

Does the same standard apply to laundries as well? I'm shifting our laundry into a 'cupboard' off the garage (actually turning the appliances at right angles and moving the wall to the other side of them) The washing machine will be in the corner with the dryer above and a 30L basin in a small bench beside the washing machine. No worries with the dryer - the GPO will be near the ceiling beside the dryer and I can't go 150 either side but can probably get 400 above the washing machine - now is that the lid or the water level inside?

[elkangorito]

Does the same standard apply to laundries as well? I'm shifting our laundry into a 'cupboard' off the garage (actually turning the appliances at right angles and moving the wall to the other side of them) The washing machine will be in the corner with the dryer above and a 30L basin in a small bench beside the washing machine. No worries with the dryer - the GPO will be near the ceiling beside the dryer and I can't go 150 either side but can probably get 400 above the washing machine - now is that the lid or the water level inside?

The same standard/rules apply.

Also, your washing machine is not affected by the rules because it is not a permanently fixed water receptacle.

Don't forget to protect your GPO with an RCD.