By Kerry Hale

A Guide to Bathroom Electrical Zones

  • Monday 16 September 2024
  • 3 minute read

Bathrooms with advanced shower and bath technology are gaining popularity across the UK. When installing electrical appliances in your bathroom, one of the most important things to consider is electrical zones.

Electrical zones determine where electrical equipment should be placed to make your bathroom as safe as possible. Keep reading to learn more about bathroom electrical zones and how they work.

Please note: If you’re considering upgrading your bathroom, such as adding an electric shower, you should hire an experienced engineer to install fittings. Attempting this work yourself could put you at risk of injury.

What is a bathroom electrical zone?

Bathroom electrical zones indicate where electrical items should be installed for safety reasons. This includes bathroom electrical outlets, radiators and lighting, which need to be installed in designated zones to prevent the risk of electric shock. Electrical zones are especially important in wet areas like bathrooms.

Bathroom electrical safety zones are based on British Standard (BS) 7671 regulations, which help keep bathrooms free from electrical hazards. Each zone has certain requirements for installing electrical equipment.

What are IP ratings?

IP ratings (Ingress Protection ratings) are used to decide which electricals go into each bathroom safety zone. IP ratings are composed of two numbers:

  • The first number (0-6) – the level of resistance against dust, etc.
  • The second number (0-8) – the level of resistance against water.

Most electrical bathroom items have an IP rating. The higher the rating, the greater the protection.

What are the different bathroom electrical zones?

There are three key bathroom safety zones, which are determined by their proximity to water. Zones with lower safety zone numbers should have higher IP rating bathroom electricals placed in them.

Zone 0

Zone 0 is the space inside the bath or shower. If there’s no shower tray, Zone 0 extends 10cm from floor level and 120cm around the fixed showerhead.

Bathroom fittings inside Zone 0 must be low-voltage (with a maximum of 12 volts), have an IP rating of IP67, and be completely protected against water immersion.

Zone 1

Zone 1 is often called the ‘splash zone’. It’s a high-risk area where equipment is likely to get wet but not necessarily submerged in water. Zone 1 is the area above the shower tray or bath, 225cm from the floor.

In Zone 1, electrical items must operate at a maximum of 12 volts and have a minimum IP rating of IP45. However, an IP rating of IP65 is recommended.

For 204v fittings, a 30mA RCD (residual current device) must be used to protect the circuit. The transformer should be fitted beyond Zone 2.

Zone 2

Zone 2 is unlikely to get wet but might be splashed. It stretches 60cm outside the shower or bath and 225cm from the floor.

Electrical equipment in Zone 2 must have a minimum IP rating of IP44 and operate at a maximum of 12 volts. The transformer should be located beyond Zone 2.

Zone 3

Zone 3 is any area of the bathroom outside Zones 0, 1 or 2.

Portable electrical equipment like hairdryers can be used here as long as the length of the electrical cord doesn’t let it reach Zone 2.

No minimum IP ratings are required for Zone 3 electricals. However, they should have some moisture protection.

Lights installed in Zone 3 should have an IP rating of at least IP44.

 

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