Mains Radio in bathroom

Chrisryder · 10 Jan 2006

As battery DAB radios use up batteries too quickly, I wish to install a mains DAB radio in my bathroom. (FM battery radio being replaced because the signal is not good enough!)

I propose siting the radio above bathroom cabinets, out of reach and use a remote control to operate the radio.

To install, I propose taking power from a lighting circuit, through to a fused (3 amp) isolator switch located in the bathroom cabinet and then to the radio. The isolator switch will not be within reach of anyone in the shower or bath.

Is this arrangement safe?

kai · 10 Jan 2006

No it is not.

The safe way is to have radio in airing cupboard outside etc, and low voltage speaker wire to a pair of outdoor speakers in the bathroom.

securespark · 10 Jan 2006

If you satisfy the following conditions, it is safe.

1. You feed the radio from a spur, NOT a socket outlet.

2. You have RCD protection for that circuit.

3. The spur and equipment are situated in Zone 3.

breezer · 10 Jan 2006

Extension speakers would be better, you could even go the "whole hog" and install water resistant ceiling speakers in the ceiling, no i am not joking. tlc supply afore mentioned speakers

Chrisryder · 10 Jan 2006

Thanks for all the feedback.

Securespark,

Is the isolator switch the same thing as a 'RCD'? and what is 'Zone 3'?

Thanks,

NuttallsSpark · 11 Jan 2006

Chrisryder said:
Thanks for all the feedback.

Securespark,

Is the isolator switch the same thing as a 'RCD'? and what is 'Zone 3'?

Thanks,

Also one more thing to mention about the conditions
You must NOT be able to reach or operate the applience from the bath or shower only by the use of a remote

securespark · 12 Jan 2006

NuttallsSpark said:
You must NOT be able to reach or operate the applience from the bath or shower only by the use of a remote

That's why it's in Z3...........

Chris:

By the isolator, what do you mean? The circuit feeding the appliance needs to be protected by RCD, alternatively, you can fit an RCD spur in Z3 and wire the appliance permanently into it. But of course, you'll be goosed if the radio is fed from a plug top transformer...

ban-all-sheds · 12 Jan 2006

Chrisryder said:
Is the isolator switch the same thing as a 'RCD'?

No - a switch is a switch and an RCD is an RCD:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device
http://www.westernautomation.com/pages/demystify.htm
http://www.simonstutorials.com/downloads/rcdpresentation.pdf
http://www.memonline.com/guide06.html

The question also shows that you ought to learn a lot more about electrical installations before you start fiddling with them. This is a good place to start:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0852028172

and what is 'Zone 3'?

It is one of the defined Zones in locations containing a bath or shower to which special regulations apply in terms of what accessories and appliances can be installed.

http://www.niceic.org.uk/downloads/Pocket Guide 1.pdf
http://www.niceic.org.uk/downloads/Pocket Guide 2.pdf
http://www.niceic.org.uk/downloads/NL139supp.pdf

It is also a question which shows that you have no knowledge of the IEE Wiring Regulations - something else that you need to learn about before embarking on electrical work. And are you aware of how the Building Regulations apply to electrics?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863413749

or http://www.iee.org/Publish/Books/WireAssoc/index.cfm?book=WR 261

http://www.iee.org/Publish/Books/WireAssoc/index.cfm?book=WR 500

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0953788539

or http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Electricians_Guide_Book/index.html

IMPORTANT NOTE - when buying books from Amazon, seek confirmation that they are the latest versions.

securespark · 12 Jan 2006

Thanks for the book bit, Ban!

breezer · 12 Jan 2006

securespark said:
Thanks for the book bit, Ban!

that info has been in for referance for er, er a long time

securespark · 12 Jan 2006

breezer said:
securespark said:

Thanks for the book bit, Ban!

Click to expand...

that info has been in for referance for er, er a long time

I know! But I forget where it is until Ban leaps in with a quick reminder....

Chrisryder · 14 Jan 2006

I think there is a misunderstanding.

When I mentioned the isolator switch, I meant a fused (3 amp) isolating switch that would be located inside the bathroom cabinet which is out of reach of anyone in the bath or shower. Also, the radio would be located in a wooden box on top of the same cabinet at a height of over 6' 6" and would be out of reach from anyone using the shower or bath. Only the front of the radio would be exposed so that the infra-red receptor of the radio would be 'seen' by the remote controller in order to operate the radio.

The electrical feed would be taken from a junction box in the loft and wired into the lighting circuit.

There is no transformer so that should not be an issue.

On the subject of an Residual Current Device (did not recognise the abbreviation "RCD"), my house has a modern fuse box containing Miniature Circuit Breakers ("MCB") with in-built RCD, which I thought would be enough. If not, I would simply install a suitable RCD for the appropriate lighting circuit. The reason for the fused isolator switch was two-fold. One, to give me some additional protection via the fuse and two, to enable me to shut off all power to the radio.

If the above arrangement is still unsafe, presumably should I consider using electrical connections designed for external (garden) use, for example used for a water pump in an ornamental pond. Is that a better approach?

kai · 14 Jan 2006

Part P applies to Bathroom Works.

Steve · 14 Jan 2006

kai said:
Part P applies to Bathroom Works.

and?

Chris, we have a little cheap mono FM radio with 3xAA batteries, in the bathroom, it is great. Do you really spend so long in the bathoom that you need digital quality radio while you shave and bathe? I just dont see the point.

If you MUST have DAB, get a digital radio reciever (hifi seperates type) and a hifi amp, and put 2 speakers in the ceiling of your bathroom. You could even fit a subwoofer under the bath if you wished . . . In order to control the setup while in the bathroom, use an IR eye to transmit the remote signal to the IR eye on the DAB box. The only "safe" way to do it.

Chrisryder · 15 Jan 2006

To Crafty1289,

Thanks for the suggestion. I currently have an old FM battery radio in the bathroom but the reception is terrible and that is the reason for going digital (DAB reception is excellent). Once started down that track, I discovered that none of the digital battery radios could last the six to nine months between battery changes I currently enjoy and the impression I had was that the batteries needed changing every couple of weeks! Something to do with DAB radios needing much more juice.

The alternative was to use re-chargable batteries but I am not that organised and I can see the children pinching the batteries (such is family life). This is how I got to the position of wanting a mains radio but, of course, I want it to be safe.

Your suggestion to use separates was interesting but, unfortunately, there is no built-in cupboard around the bathroom and I would be forced to have wires travelling up the wall and through the ceiling in the bedroom (the bathroom is an en-suite). On the other hand I particularly liked your idea of an infra red eye to patch the remote signal to the DAB box and if these things are available, this could prove the answer as the DAB box could be situated more remotely, which could help me conceal the wires. Where would I get one of these infra-red eyes and are they compatible with all remote receivers?

It is all a bit frustrating for the little time I spent in the bathroom each morning but the radio is extremely useful for reminding me what the time is without looking at the clock (face steamed up anyway).

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Mains Radio in bathroom

kai

breezer

breezer

kai

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