Shaver and toothbrush sockets

[securespark]

I bought a bathroom mirror cabinet in the UK years ago that had a shaver point built in. It didn't have a transformer. I didn't use it and instead installed a regular one adjacent.

Much later, I removed the non compliant socket when upgrading the flu fittings in the cabinet to LEDs.

 

[AndyPRK]

The reset of the world manages without (big, heavy, humming, hot) isolation transformers. So common sense would say they are no longer required. In was a cleaver idea in its day.

And as for the regulation being all about Baths, as long as you aren't fitting a 13A socket, then you aren't going to find an appliance with a 2 pin connector and cable long enough that will reach a bath

 

[JohnW2]

The reset of the world manages without (big, heavy, humming, hot) isolation transformers. So common sense would say they are no longer required. In was a cleaver idea in its day.

Whether they are (or ever have been) really 'needed' is, I suppose, debatable - but what do you think has changed simce "its day" when they were a "clever idea"?

 

[AndyPRK]

30mA RCD protection on all circuits.
Toothbrushes being left plugged in for a long time

 

[JohnW2]

30mA RCD protection on all circuits.

Yes, fair enough.

Toothbrushes being left plugged in for a long time

I'm not sure why transformers were a 'clever idea' when things weren't plugged into them for long periods, but not now?

 

[AndyPRK]

Modern ones and maybe even old ones too, have switches activated off the shutters, to prevent the transformer running

 

[JohnW2]

Modern ones and maybe even old ones too, have switches activated off the shutters, to prevent the transformer running

Indeed -and some had a little button which the plug pushed against to activate the switch, rather than using the 'shutters'.

 

[SUNRAY]

Indeed -and some had a little button which the plug pushed against to activate the switch, rather than using the 'shutters'.

Whic frequently got wedged in so it worked

 

[JohnW2]

Whic frequently got wedged in so it worked

I'm not quite sure how (and why) one could have done that, since anything 'plugged in' would automatically 'press the button'.

 

[SUNRAY]

I'm not quite sure how (and why) one could have done that, since anything 'plugged in' would automatically 'press the button'.

YYESSss.... but

 

[JohnW2]

YYESSss.... but

but what? If anything plugged in is going to press the button, why would anyone ever need to 'wedge' the button?

 

[SUNRAY]

but what? If anything plugged in is going to press the button, why would anyone ever need to 'wedge' the button?

1/ Because not all plugs had a flat bum
2/ Because not all plugs held in tight
3/ Because the buttons became very 'sensitive'/intermittant
4/ Because the 'double button' arrangement for 240/120 sockets was always 'iffy' and jammed

I have one such troublesome unit which was replaced - reconfigured it to bypass the switch, and for a couple or 3 decades it has been supplying 2 CCTV cameras as an IT supply .

 

[Crakkers]

And..
Does the room have a bath or shower??

Yes, both. It’s a bathroom!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, both. It’s a bathroom!

it makes a big difference. Quite a lot of people call the room with just a toilet and sink in it a “bathroom”. And the electrical regulations for that room are very different for the room that has a toilet, sink and bath or shower.
That’s why we kept asking for clarification.

Your any socket in your room needs the isolating transformer or to be placed more than 2.5metres from the edge of the shower and/or bath. It doesn’t matter if it’s a regular uk socket, or a European one, etc.

There’s no wiggle room on that.

 

[AndyPRK]

That’s certainly what the regulations say.