Install outlets safely in a bathroom

Between the electric toothbrush, the razor, the epilator, the hair dryer or the washing machine, the heaters... It is simply impossible to do without electrical outlets in the bathroom. But what about electrical safety standards in this body of water?

Does your bathroom comply with current standards?

Particularly subject to humidity, the bathroom is the place of all dangers, as soon as it comes to power outlets and electricity. Indeed, if you do not comply with the bathroom electrical standard, the risk of electrocution and fire is increased tenfold. This is why, in the event that you are engaged in carrying out small or large renovation works, do not hesitate to call on the skills of a certified electrician who will take care of the usual checks.

Only this professional can certify that your electrical installations comply or not with the NFC 15-100 standard. And if this is not the case, this will be an opportunity for you to rectify the situation and finally bring your bathroom up to standard.

Basic safety rules to follow

Drastic safety measures must be applied in this room to avoid harmful contact between water and electricity. Hence the need to strictly comply with the regulations. This is why it is always necessary to start by identifying the four safety volumes of the bathroom.

• the first is "volume 0" which encompasses the area where the tub and shower are located. It is totally forbidden to use an electrical device.
• comes after "volume 1", the upper part that sits above your shower tray. Although it is located up to two meters twenty five above the bath or shower tray, this space is still qualified as high risk. Exceptionally, this location can accommodate low-voltage lights, but only on the condition that their switches are located in volumes 2 and 3.
• "Volume 2" consists of the part above the two meters twenty-five mentioned in "volume 1", with a width of sixty centimeters around the shower sanitary fittings. And even if this area is generally not protected from splashing water, you can already install the lighting system there, as well as heating equipment.
• Thus, it is exclusively in "volume 3" that you can arrange your electrical appliances, but only if they are type I and II models. These are indeed specially designed for this room and are therefore protected moisture and splashing water.

On the other hand, independently of the general electrical circuit of the house, your bathroom must have its own differential circuit breaker of 30 mA. As for the number of catches, there is no need to have many in a body of water. Two will be enough. And their ideal location will be on each side of the washbasin, taking into account of course the requirements of the safety zones.