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Power to bathroom 240VAC wallplug

Help please. Queensland Australia.

I have a bathroom which was never wired for a wall three pin 240VAC power outlet. Probably because 20 odd years ago RCDs were rare & most wiring regs forbade power outlets for sound safety reasons.

Our house is now protected (all circuits) with an RCD & I would like to charge my shaver & toothbrush in the bathroom & my wife would like to use a hairdrier, all pretty everyday needs.

We have a light switch & therefore power from a lighting circuit. Wiring a power circuit from one of several "nearest power circuit outlets in other adjacent rooms will involve a good deal of wall lining damage/repair & the negotiation of several wall corners. So this normal option is difficult.

My question is can I wire from the lightswitch & install close by a three pin outlet in this situation where power demand will be limited to a hairdrier. Thats to ask would I breach general safety rules & specifically Queensland Wiring Rules details with which I am not familiar & can find no ready reference other than a $65 download.

Pete

Reply to
<peterlo8
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Your concept is not a good one. Bathroom outlets in the USA can not be on the same circuit as the lighting. I am not familiar with the Aussie code. Best check locally and find out what you need to do based on the current electrical code. My suggestion would be bring a new circuit from the service. That way the load will not be a problem for the existing circuits. What ever the cost and aggravation when you go to sell the place the new owner will appreciate the fact that there is a proper circuit. Does the Aussie code require GFCI for bathrooms? I have not seen very many 2 pole gfci's here in AZ.

Reply to
SQLit

You definetly need to use a GFCI receptacle there., I would guess your best course of action other than run a whole new line *which maybe good, would be to tap from the lighting fixture box where you will have both leads for your receptacle., I've wired GFCI receptacles into 2x4 metal boxes in bathrooms, where there was just a bare wall here in the US.... I don't know about your Aus systems here it's 120vac but it should be do-able., just make sure the circuit can withstand the Hairdryers load safely.

and ~>

Use a GFCI and a 3 conductor cable, attach the 3rd wire to your equipment/boxes for your ground fault detection.

Reply to
Roy Q.T.

Peter, are you an electrical contractor?, if not you need to speak to one, this may interest you

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unlicensed person was recently prosecuted in the Rockhampton (Qld Aust) courts and fined $6000.00 for preforming electrical work.

Reply to
Lance Ryan

I couldn't open nor read the PDF file.

Just what did the guy do to be fined such a large summons ? He must have been messing up pretty badly ... installing code violations instead of good workmanship.

Reply to
Roy Q.T.

No big deal.

Isn't $6000 (Aus) worth about $.05 in $US? (And $.10 in Euros?)

Reply to
John Gilmer

Reply to
Lance Ryan

Thanks Lance; In cases like that the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) would do the community a favor by taking guys like that out of business.Here in the US they discourage wire hacks from practicing too but they are very flexible & helpful with Knowledgable and Qualified Persons with a repoir of good work.

Sadly I've seen so many Jobs performed by Licensed Electrical Companies rejected and so poorly done, I've remained a Freelancing AC/DC Technician abating violations and bettered peoples electrical systems where ever I can.A National labor Council with vested authority granted me a Master Journeyman Card which I hold Honorably.

I keep myself & my Equipment up-to-date by going to Trade Conventions, Sampling Latest Materials & Service Innovations, Books, Courses and Inventions from Electrical, Electronic & The Security Industry.

Occasionally I treat with our Utility Co. ConEd and when need be, Building & Electrical Inspectors.

I'm no Expert on Foreign Electrical Systems, but, Experience Dictates; Where Coded work is unavailable or out of reach, good & safe workmanship may stand the test of time & Human trials.

Reply to
Roy Q.T.

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