Wall mounted light switch in bathroom

[Jonny7]

I suspect that my bathroom was once a bedroom and hence the light switch is on the wall by the door. As I'm going through my newly purchased property replacing light switches with dimmers, I had to stop and think about this switch and ponder if it is actually safe (it's approx 3 metres from the nearest water source).

Thing is, if this switch is correctly positioned, could I replace it with a dimmer switch? Would condensation be a problem or are most dimmers electronics encapsulated? Or is it simply not a good idea from a safety point of view?

Thanks in advance,
Jon.

 

[SparkyTris]

Does your "bathroom" comprise a bath or shower? if so, then it probably is a special location so it would need a special switch.

 

[Jonny7]

Yes, it has a bath and an electric shower over the bath. I'm actually wondering if I shouldn't just blank the wall switch and install a pull cord switch on the ceiling. Come to think of it, the electric shower has no local isolator adjacent to it either. I take it that is still a requirement? Let's hope there's enough slack in the loft to wire into an isolator!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Does your "bathroom" comprise a bath or shower? if so, then it probably is a special location so it would need a special switch.

No need to indulge in "probably"s - go and look at the regulations governing Zones in locations with baths & showers.....

 

[Jonny7]

Looking at the qualifiers for notification under part P of the new building regs, it excludes bathrooms in it's explanation of exempt work on exisiting installations.

Therefore, I have to notify the local building controls people if I want to install a safe pull cord switch and isolate and blank off a less safe wall switch? If I want to add an isolator to the shower circuit then that's notifiable too?

So it would be a very good time to tell them of the three IP55 bathroom lights I intend to install shortly also!

I'd best get on to them then.

Oh yes, I found a cord operated dimmer for use in a bathroom!

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...ng_Accessories~Dimmers_All/Dimpull/index.html