Isolator switch located directly below shower pump

raine · 8 Sep 2021

Hi,

See pic here and attached. Is it allowed to have the isolator switch located directly below the shower pump?

(Ignore the fact that the switch faceplate is off - I've opened it up to let it dry out after the pump leaked!)

I've been researching BS 7671, and it seems that the defined bathroom zones only apply to shower heads and water outlets, and there appears to be no restrictions around the proximity and positioning of electrics to shower pumps. Is this correct??

So, I think this could be classed as rather stupid and dangerous, but not actually in contravention of any regs, right?

yorkspark · 8 Sep 2021

Absolutely nothing wrong with that, not stupid or dangerous, is the circuit rcd/rcbo protected? It's only the same as an immersion heater or electric shower, and would be more concerned about the quality of the pump/plumbing if it keeps leaking

jj4091 · 8 Sep 2021

Chicken & egg.

plugwash · 8 Sep 2021

BS7671 gives prescriptive rules for a number of locations that are judged to be unusually high risk. Bathrooms being the most common one.

Mostly though it's left to the judgement of the installer to decide whether equipment is suitable for the environment it is being used in and for better or worse we normally only take account of normal conditions in a location, not of things getting wet due to non-electrical failures.

raine · 9 Sep 2021

Ok, understood that it doesn't contravene the regs, thanks.

I still maintain that it is a stupid and dangerous location for the switch though, directly in the path of gravity should a leak occur, particularly as there is plenty of space to the side of the adjacent noggin. Why take the risk?

In this particular scenario, the push-fit connector on the outlet pipe at the top worked loose, and a good deal of water reached the inside of the switch. RCD or not, in my mind, that's dangerous.

winston1 · 9 Sep 2021

raine said:
In this particular scenario, the push-fit connector on the outlet pipe at the top worked loose, and a good deal of water reached the inside of the switch. RCD or not, in my mind, that's dangerous.

Push fit connectors don't work loose. If it was loose it is because the plumber did not fit it properly.

Taylortwocities · 9 Sep 2021

raine said:
I still maintain that it is a stupid and dangerous location for the switch though, directly in the path of gravity should a leak occur, particularly as there is plenty of space to the side of the adjacent noggin. Why take the risk?

Take a look in the average ceiling void. Here we have a whole lot of electrical bits and pieces, junction boxes, etc. In at least one place in the ceiling there is a lighting pendant with all of its electrical connections.
The ceiling is supported by rows of wooden joists. Also in the ceiling void are sundry plumbers pipes carrying water through the space.
Some of these pipes are under mains pressure.

In the event of a leak, heres whats happens:

The water runs into the nearest space between two joists and the space can fill up with water. The water will find its way out, often through the light pendant, shorting out the lighting circuit. Before it does that it will saturate any electrical junctions that are sitting on near or the plasterboard.
Luckily, ceilings have a built in fail safe mechanism. When they get wet, they collapse allowing the water to dispense through any open door.

How many risks can you see now? Should building regulations not permit water and electricity together anywhere?

No, us electricians are trusting souls and believe that our friends, the plumbers, will use adequate materials and workmanship to prevent water and lekky meeting.

sparkwright · 9 Sep 2021

Exactly as Taylor says.

The point is, you can have a leak anywhere and no one can predict where the water is going to end up.

Some leaks don't even go straight down - you could have a fine spray, spraying in an almost horizontal direction.

Roofs leak, people do stupid things with buckets of water when cleaning, or even washing their hands - you can't predict it.

For what's it's worth, I would often try to fit an electrical item over pipework fittings rather than under - but not if it makes things awkward - this job is difficult enough as it is.

EFLImpudence · 9 Sep 2021

Also, Raine, what do you think will happen if the switch gets wet?

Taylortwocities · 9 Sep 2021

And it is always the plumber's fault

chivers67 · 9 Sep 2021

That pic's mental! TTC!

mattylad · 9 Sep 2021

The plumber was mental

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Isolator switch located directly below shower pump

raine

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