Bathroom llights

[oldspice]

I have just been to B&Q and looked at their 12V bathroom downlights. I thought that they would be O.K. but B&Q recommend that I also fit an RCD! Surely the fact that they are low voltage makes them super safe and negates having to double up and use an RCD. any guidence would be appreciated. thanks

 

[sparkyspike]

The lights are only 12v SELV after the transformer - the cabling to the transformer will still be 240v.

RCD protection can be a requirement, depending on several conditions.

What exactly do you want to do and how are you going to do it? Do you currently have no RCD protection in the house, or just none on the lighting circuits?

 

[ericmark]

It say:-

701.411.3.3 Additional protection by RCDs
Additional protection shall be provided for all circuits of the location, by the use of one or more RCDs having the characteristics specified in Regulation 415.1.1.

So there is no provision for SELV but the same applies for cables buried less than 50mm in the wall.
Many of us are of the opinion that the 17th Edition will be updated and SELV will be named as an exception to the rules requiring RCD protection.
I would say as long as it affords a degree of protection of at least IPXXB or IP2X then you will be OK. It will normally state suitable for use in bathrooms.
However it is Part P notifiable if changing type so you will need to pay the local authority their £100 plus vat or break the law.

 

[oldspice]

Thanks for your prompt replys people. The bathroom is upstairs and the transformers will be in the attic space outside the 3.25M zone. Because of the height of the ceiling the 12V down lights will be outside of the 3.25M zone as well. There is no RCD protection in the house. I just thought B&Q where going over the top. But if it is as you say and there is no exception for low voltage lighting as yet, then I may have to wear belt and braces on this one and fit a RCD.