Installing an Electric Razor socket in bathroom?

[RalphO]

Connect to lighting circuit via SFCU?

 

[mwatsonxx]

You don't need a SFCU, just connect direct into the lighting circuit. And the socket must be the isolating transformer type.

 

[RalphO]

Thanks! TheSFCU is an existing one, surface mounted at coving height, then 16mm plastic trunking down to surface mounted, boxed, 115/230vac razor sockets, via integral isolating transformer. The cable for this is 1.0mm2, which, I believe, may be incorrect - even though it can handle the maximum current for the circuit.
Do I need to correct this?
The reason I ask is because I have found a jumble of lighting circuits and an extractor fan (Various core sizes) connected into three 30 Amp terminals plus an extra separate earth terminal in the roof space, amongst the loft insulation. It's very messy and I would like to see it boxed....neat & tidy. For info: The house is only 14 years old. I moved here three years ago.

 

[ericmark]

You seem to want to alter in order to make it right and comply with regulations, it likely already complies and the EICR done when you moved in will have detailed any problems, if you start to alter wiring the EICR is no longer going to show all is OK, so either you need to complete a minor works certificate and do all the inspection and testing, or you will need another EICR completing to show you have made no errors.

I would say leaving it all alone is likely the better option, 1 mm² is ample for lights, neat & tidy does not mean safe.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Thanks! TheSFCU is an existing one, surface mounted at coving height,

So why not leave it there, or flush it in if being surface mounted is unacceptable? What you do with the wiring in the room has nothing to do with any jumble in the loft.

then 16mm plastic trunking down

So why not bury the cable, if surface mounted trunking is unacceptable? What you do with the wiring in the room has nothing to do with any jumble in the loft.

to surface mounted, boxed, 115/230vac razor sockets, via integral isolating transformer.

So why not leave it there, or flush it in if being surface mounted is unacceptable? What you do with the wiring in the room has nothing to do with any jumble in the loft.

I have found a jumble of lighting circuits and an extractor fan (Various core sizes) connected into three 30 Amp terminals plus an extra separate earth terminal in the roof space, amongst the loft insulation. It's very messy

Take great care, given that, that you isolate the correct circuit if you do work on the wiring in the bathroom. If you have any doubts, turn off the main switch.

And use a proper 2-pole tester for voltage, not a neon screwdriver or a Magic Wand.

 

[winston1]

Thanks! TheSFCU is an existing one, surface mounted at coving height, then 16mm plastic trunking down to surface mounted, boxed, 115/230vac razor sockets, via integral isolating transformer. The cable for this is 1.0mm2, which, I believe, may be incorrect - even though it can handle the maximum current for the circuit.
Do I need to correct this?

As has been said if you are feeding a razor socket off the lighting circuit you don't need the SFCU. Get rid of it and run a new cable from the razor socket to the junction box.

 

[bernardgreen]

if you are feeding a razor socket off the lighting circuit you don't need the SFCU

But as it is there then use it as a means to isolate the razor socket should it need to be isolated. If the razor socket becomes faulty and trips the MCB or the RCD of the lighting circuit then, without a means to isolate it, you would need to repair or replace the razor socket before you could use any lights on that circuit.

 

[winston1]

Have you ever known a razor socket go faulty and trip a MCB or RCD?

FCUs are not needed or used on lighting circuits.

 

[bernardgreen]

Have you ever known a razor socket go faulty and trip a MCB or RCD?

Yes

FCUs are not needed or used on lighting circuits.

A razor socket is not an item used for lighting

 

[JohnW2]

A razor socket is not an item used for lighting

True, but if one regards a razor socket as "...associated small power-using equipment, such as a bathroom extraction fan", then it will be one of the types of load 'intended' to be supplied by a 'lighting circuit' in a few months' time, if the 18th ed. remains per draft.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

FCUs are not needed or used on lighting circuits.

They are quite often used.

DON'T give out false information, it just confuses people.

 

[Risteard]

It should be mentioned that all circuits in a bathroom must be RCD protected.

 

[JohnW2]

It should be mentioned that all circuits in a bathroom must be RCD protected.

Very true, that's what the regs say - not that it would, other than in very exceptional circumstances, make any difference to the safety of an ('isolated') razor socket.

Kind Regards, John

 

[winston1]

They are quite often used.

Incorrectly.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Winston wriggling #1: That's not what you said.

Winston wriggling #2: It's not incorrect if somebody wants one.