Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Hi all,

is it a big no no to connect a heated towel rail to the lighting
circuit?, I am aware of loading issues but there are some quite low
wattage rails avilable. Or is this a no no regardless of wattage?


Nigel

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

"Nigel" wrote in message
ps.com...
Hi all,

is it a big no no to connect a heated towel rail to the lighting
circuit?, I am aware of loading issues but there are some quite low
wattage rails avilable. Or is this a no no regardless of wattage?


Nigel
Hi Man,
Don't do it.


Mick. Leeds U.K.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article om,
Nigel wrote:
is it a big no no to connect a heated towel rail to the lighting
circuit?, I am aware of loading issues but there are some quite low
wattage rails avilable. Or is this a no no regardless of wattage?

Perfectly ok. Unlike ring main circuits, lighting ones are protected at
their maximum continuous rating under any conditions.

--
*If I worked as much as others, I would do as little as they *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

is it a big no no to connect a heated towel rail to the lighting
circuit?

Perfectly ok. Unlike ring main circuits, lighting ones are protected at
their maximum continuous rating under any conditions.

But it would be worth checking to see whether the lighting circuit is
RCD protected would it not?

After all, elextricity, water and bathrooms seem to be a very sensitive
subject.

--
http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK.
http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL!
http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers.
http://Water-Rower.co.uk - Worlds best prices on the Worlds best Rower.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article ,
"Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;¬)" wrote:
is it a big no no to connect a heated towel rail to the lighting
circuit?

Perfectly ok. Unlike ring main circuits, lighting ones are protected at
their maximum continuous rating under any conditions.

But it would be worth checking to see whether the lighting circuit is
RCD protected would it not?

An RCD is really to protect from touching a live wire etc which shouldn't
be possible in this case as it will be earthed.

After all, elextricity, water and bathrooms seem to be a very sensitive
subject.

The towel rail, of course, should be properly cross bonded if it falls
within that area in the bathroom.

--
*OK, so what's the speed of dark? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;¬) wrote:

But it would be worth checking to see whether the lighting circuit is
RCD protected would it not?

Why? A towel rail would only require RCD protection if installed in Zone
1 (i.e. directly over the bath). In Zone 2 no RCD is required, but the
appliance must meet IPX4. In Zone 3 or beyond there are no special
requirements at all. The control switch/isolator must be in Zone 3 or
beyond, in any case.

Don't forget the supplementary bonding.

(Note for future Google archive readers: this article will be invalid
after 01/06/2008, the expected date by which the 17th Edition of the
wiring regs will be in force.)

--
Andy

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

An RCD is really to protect from touching a live wire etc which shouldn't
be possible in this case as it will be earthed.

The towel rail, of course, should be properly cross bonded if it falls
within that area in the bathroom.

Ah forgot about that bit.

On a similar note... when we bought our 1970's house there was (and
still is) an Electric fan heater in the bathroom with 800W, 1200W &
1800W settings, this _was_ wired to the lighting circuit and an original
standard fitment fuse box in the garage.

Not a great combination really.

--
http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK.
http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL!
http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers.
http://Water-Rower.co.uk - Worlds best prices on the Worlds best Rower.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;¬)" wrote:
is it a big no no to connect a heated towel rail to the lighting
circuit?

Perfectly ok. Unlike ring main circuits, lighting ones are protected at
their maximum continuous rating under any conditions.

But it would be worth checking to see whether the lighting circuit is
RCD protected would it not?

An RCD is really to protect from touching a live wire etc which shouldn't
be possible in this case as it will be earthed.

After all, elextricity, water and bathrooms seem to be a very sensitive
subject.

The towel rail, of course, should be properly cross bonded if it falls
within that area in the bathroom.

--
*OK, so what's the speed of dark? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.




Put it on it's own ring. like a shower.



Micky

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article ,
micky savage wrote:
Put it on it's own ring. like a shower.

If your shower is on a ring get a decent electrician in pronto.

--
*When did my wild oats turn to prunes and all bran?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
micky savage wrote:
Put it on it's own ring. like a shower.

If your shower is on a ring get a decent electrician in pronto.

--
*When did my wild oats turn to prunes and all bran?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into


sound.




Good call Dave
I meant fusing device.


Regards.


Mick

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article ,
micky savage wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
micky savage wrote:
Put it on it's own ring. like a shower.

If your shower is on a ring get a decent electrician in pronto.


Good call Dave
I meant fusing device.

You're suggesting a heated towel rail should be on its own circuit same as
an electric shower - ie a radial from the CU? Not needed with most towel
rails - they usually take no more than about 150 watts. They aren't room
heaters as such but only intended to dry towels, strangely.

--
*Okay, who stopped the payment on my reality check? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Andy Wade wrote:

(Note for future Google archive readers: this article will be invalid
after 01/06/2008, the expected date by which the 17th Edition of the
wiring regs will be in force.)

Do you know what's changing, or is the above just a general disclaimer?

David

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk ;¬) wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

is it a big no no to connect a heated towel rail to the lighting
circuit?

Perfectly ok. Unlike ring main circuits, lighting ones are protected at
their maximum continuous rating under any conditions.

But it would be worth checking to see whether the lighting circuit is
RCD protected would it not?

And even better to check whether it has a CPC?!
(Although a later post mentions the 1970s, so presumably it does)

David

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Lobster wrote:

Do you know what's changing, or is the above just a general disclaimer?

You must have missed the recent thread, subject "Seventeenth edition"
and probably still on your server. Otherwise try
http://groups.google.com/group/uk.d-...ad5ad0 f02de6

--
Andy

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

Andy Wade wrote:
Lobster wrote:

Do you know what's changing, or is the above just a general disclaimer?

You must have missed the recent thread, subject "Seventeenth edition"
and probably still on your server. Otherwise try
http://groups.google.com/group/uk.d-...ad5ad0 f02de6

Indeed.

Thanks!
David

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article ,
Owain wrote:
You are a plantpot.

Oh dear. Isn't that copyright?

--
*Upon the advice of my attorney, my shirt bears no message at this time

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

On 2006-11-21 14:25:26 +0000, "Dave Plowman (News)"
said:

In article ,
Owain wrote:
You are a plantpot.

Oh dear. Isn't that copyright?

One is reminded of "flobadob ickle weed"

The plot in that program varied little from episode to episode as well
The only burning question was "Was it Bill or was it Ben?"

I can only think that DIMM is the reincarnation of one of these
terracotta dwellers - it does all fit:

- Repetitive and unintelligible sentences

- A minor mishap every week

- Same plot every week


"and I think the little house knew something about it! Don't You? "

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:48:39 +0000 (GMT) someone who may be "Dave
Plowman (News)" wrote this:-

You're suggesting a heated towel rail should be on its own circuit same as
an electric shower - ie a radial from the CU? Not needed with most towel
rails - they usually take no more than about 150 watts. They aren't room
heaters as such but only intended to dry towels, strangely.

Indeed. Ring mains are designed to power just this sort of general
appliance.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article ,
David Hansen wrote:
You're suggesting a heated towel rail should be on its own circuit same
as an electric shower - ie a radial from the CU? Not needed with most
towel rails - they usually take no more than about 150 watts. They
aren't room heaters as such but only intended to dry towels, strangely.

Indeed. Ring mains are designed to power just this sort of general
appliance.

Or the lighting circuit if more convenient...

--
*Why isn't 11 pronounced onety one? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

The message
from "Dave Plowman (News)" contains these words:

Or the lighting circuit if more convenient...

Except that on a split-load CU the lighting circuit won't have a RCD.

--
Skipweasel
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article ,
Guy King wrote:
Or the lighting circuit if more convenient...

Except that on a split-load CU the lighting circuit won't have a RCD.

Shouldn't matter if the lighting circuit is earthed which of course I'm
assuming.

--
*Husband and cat lost -- reward for cat

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

The message
from "Dave Plowman (News)" contains these words:

Shouldn't matter if the lighting circuit is earthed which of course I'm
assuming.

But a faulty earth (which happen fairly often, I suspect) would leave
you very vulnerable.

--
Skipweasel
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

In article ,
Guy King wrote:
Shouldn't matter if the lighting circuit is earthed which of course I'm
assuming.

But a faulty earth (which happen fairly often, I suspect) would leave
you very vulnerable.

As it would on anything not normally RCD fed. Like cookers. Washing
machines. Etc. However, if the rail is in a certain part of the bathroom
it would need supplementary bonding anyway.

--
*It's this dirty because I washed it with your wife's knickers*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Heated Towel Rails and Lighting Circuits
 

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 13:50:56 GMT someone who may be Guy King
wrote this:-

Except that on a split-load CU the lighting circuit won't have a RCD.

Having read the rest of this sub-thread, the question is, "so what?"
An earth fault that develops on its own isn't that common and of it
was installed properly there will be supplementary bonding.

The supplementary point is that not all ring mains have RCDs.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54