Can anyone recommend an IPX4 rated fused spur for a towel rail within 600 of a bath and shower? I know I need one, but can't find one online for under £50 Thanks
Never seen a normal spur that is IPX4 rated apart from weatherproof outdoor ones, does such a thing exist? Whenever I've wired an element for a towel rail I've always put the spur outside the bathroom. Also are you sure you can put a spur, weatherproof or not inside zone 2? the regs state a 230V switch can't go inside the zone, it doesn't make any dispensations for IPX4 ones.
There is a part in the regs that states "Switches or controls in fixed current-using equipment suitable for use in the zone" although I've taken that to mean something that would be attached to the towel rail like a thermostat or timer, not a stand alone spur. I did get the above info from the NIC bathroom guide though and not the actual regs.
My interpretation is the towel rail can be in zone 2 providing it's suitable but not the FCU even if it is IP rated. I've always kept FCU outside the b/r and fed via a blanking box. LV FCU and switches ok if outside zone 2.
OSG. Fixed permanently connected equipment allowed. General rules apply. Only switches and sockets of SELV circuits allowed, the source being outside the zones, and shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 if fixed where direct spray is unlikely. Nothing about FCU so presume they are not allowed... Maybe the regs say different, would need to check.
Thanks, I think I'll just relocate the fused spur to outside the bathroom and have a flex plate in Zone 2 instead. A bit more faf, but on the right side of the Regs
Only switches and sockets of SELV circuits allowed, the source being outside the zones, and shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 if fixed where direct spray is unlikely. Why do you think otherwise?
Neither is a junction box but you wouldn't be able to screw one of them to the wall in zone 2 without breaking a reg. Surely it would need to be IPX4 ASA minimum. The regs list the things you can put in a bathroom with conditions, not the things you can't, if it did it would have to list every single electrical items in the history of electics.
Your not reading it properly. It says ONLY. This means only ELV and nothing else. It even says the source being outside the zones, so I presume this to mean if you can't fit the source for the ELV in zone 2 you can't fit a FCU full stop.
No, it’s you who isn’t reading it properly. “switchgear, accessories incorporating switches or socket-outlets shall not be installed with the exception of: (i) switches and socket-outlets of SELV circuits, the safety source being installed outside zones 0, 1 and 2,” Switchgear: something with a switch. Accessories incorporating switches: an accessory with a switch. It’s all about the switch.
The first requirement of zone 2 is everything has to be IPX4, is an unswitched spur IPX4? By you reckoning you could wire an iron to a spur so you could use it whilst in the bath because the regs don't explicitly say you cant wire an iron in a bathroom.
A FCU doesn't need a switch in it to be a switch. You take the fuse out, it switches off what ever it supplies. From BS7671... Switchgear. An assembly of main and auxiliary switching equipment for operation, regulation, protection (ie a fuse) or other control of an electrical installation. switchgear (ie a FCU), accessories incorporating switches or socket-outlets shall not be installed with the exception of: (i) switches and socket-outlets of SELV circuits, the safety source being installed outside zones 0, 1 and 2, Also look at the table 8.1 OSG. It clearly list the requirements as Switchgear and accessories in the last column. That means CU's FCU, sockets, light switches in fact the lot, ie No LV full stop. The whole reasoning behind this is your not meant to be able to interfere with anything LV electrical within arms reach of being in the bath or shower. How could you even begin to argue that putting a FCU in zone 2 is even slightly sensible and that bs7671 condones this?
From the definitions in BS7671: “Switchgear. An assembly of main and auxiliary switching equipment for operation, regulation, protection or other control of an electrical installation.” An FCU is not switchgear.
It could loosely be construed as being a switch tbqh. If you pull the carrier then it disengages output to whatever it is feeding..thus pull the carrier out = off, and push the carrier back in = on.
What’s the difference between a Switched Fused Connection Unit (SFCU) and a Fused Connection Unit (FCU)?
By your reckoning it would be acceptable to install a re-wire able or cartridge based CU in zone 2, as it's not "switch gear".