Just bought a 'dual-fuel' electric element to turn my bathroom towel
radiator into a dual-fuel one, so that it can be used when the central
heating is off. Imagine my suprise when I read the following in the
instructions:

"WARNING: The BS Approved Spur socket (and towel radiator) must be
sited so it is not possible to touch either when using the sink,
shower or bath (Wiring Regulations 16th Edition)."

I can understand why the socket should be out of reach, but the
radiator? Given that the whole point of the heated towel radiator is
to have heated towels to hand in the bathroom, where the b****y h**ll
am I supposed to put it? In the dining room, the shed or maybe out on
the street?

Given that all the pipes in the bathroom are cross-bonded to earth
what difference does it make if you can touch a tap and the radiator
at the same time? If the radiator was out of reach of the sink and
there was an electrical fault which made the casing live, this would
make every rad, pipe and tap in the house live via the cross-bonding -
so whats the point, or are the instructions wrong?

Rant over.

lovezoo wrote:

"WARNING: The BS Approved Spur socket (and towel radiator) must be
sited so it is not possible to touch either when using the sink,
shower or bath (Wiring Regulations 16th Edition)."

I think they have over egged that a little.

I can understand why the socket should be out of reach, but the
radiator? Given that the whole point of the heated towel radiator is
to have heated towels to hand in the bathroom, where the b****y h**ll
am I supposed to put it? In the dining room, the shed or maybe out on
the street?

The sink location is not that relevant since it does not affect the
positions of the zones. The FCU for connecting the rail needs to be
either in zone 3 or outside the zones. That means the FCU should not be
within 600mm of the bath or shower for example[1].

The towel rail itself will need joining to the equipotential zone in the
bathroom, however you don't need an explicit earth tag for this, you can
rely on the CPC connection in the power flex. Its CH pipes would also be
included in the equipotential zone if metallic.

or are the instructions wrong?

Yup.


[1] A little more complex than that if the shower head is not fixed.


--
Cheers,

John.

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On 21 Apr 2007 11:10:45 -0700 someone who may be lovezoo
wrote this:-

Just bought a 'dual-fuel' electric element to turn my bathroom towel
radiator into a dual-fuel one, so that it can be used when the central
heating is off. Imagine my suprise when I read the following in the
instructions:

"WARNING: The BS Approved Spur socket (and towel radiator) must be
sited so it is not possible to touch either when using the sink,
shower or bath (Wiring Regulations 16th Edition)."

To add to what has been said, the instructions are wrong in several
respects. In particular there should not be a socket outlet in the
bathroom to power the towel rail.

I can understand why the socket should be out of reach, but the
radiator? Given that the whole point of the heated towel radiator is
to have heated towels to hand in the bathroom, where the b****y h**ll
am I supposed to put it?

You can have the rail within reach of anything provided the rail is
of suitable construction for the location. It is unlikely to be
suitably constructed to be above the bath, or a shower tray, but is
likely to be suitable for use beside either or a basin. As a
simplification large metal parts that are simultaneously accessible
should be bonded; these will include metal baths and pipes.

The switch that controls the rail must be out of reach of someone
using the bath. This is measured by a system of zones which you can
look up. Most people put the switch outside or install a pull cord
switch, with a cord outlet beside the rail. The latter are best with
a neon to indicate the element is on, which means getting a fused
connection unit with neon unless you can find a cord outlet with
neon.

The towel rail should be on a spur off the ring main. Where the
switch and the fuse are depends on the particular circumstances.


--
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

Thanks for the answers, very useful. Looks like the towel rail can go
where I want it and as the switch will be in another room, no problem
there either.

Tony