Heated towel rails have an IP Rating suitable for zone 2, whereas most electric heaters do not carry this rating.

Can you put a towel rail in Zone 2?

Zone 1 & 2

If you were to install a heated towel rail in this zone, it would need a rating no lower than IPX4. Zone 2 stretches to a 0.6m outside your bath or shower and above your bath or shower if over 2.25m. This zone has the same requirements as zone 1.

Can a Flex outlet go in Zone 2?

yes, but there is a caveat of depending where in Z2, still use a bit of gumption about water condensing on the tiles running down and not getting into box behind.

Do towel rails need to be earthed?

The towel rail is not provided with an earth bond position, and the fitting instructions do not suggest that it should be earth bonded. Opinions differ at the technical help desk of the towelrail manufacturer and at the local electrical wholesaler.

Do you need to earth a towel radiator?

In a typical household this includes the bathroom radiator, bath, shower, basin, toilet and lighting. The earth cable prevents any unfriendly electric shocks by collecting the leaking current caused by the fault before it travels through anything metal or damp or your body!

Bathroom Zones BS7671 Wiring Regulations

What FUSE do I need for an electric towel rail?

Use a 3A fuse on the fcu. Either tap off a nearby socket outside the bathroom on to an fcu or run a wire down from the loft off the lighting circuit to a switched fcu. As long as the towel rail has a 30mA RCD on the circuit, either on the circuit supplying it or at the fcu if not, you will be fine.

Can a shower pull cord be in zone 2?

Pull cord switches – The cords of cord-operated switches are allowed in Zones 1 and 2; however, the body of the switch must be outside of the zones. In most cases, this is achieved by the switch being ceiling mounted and the ceiling height being above the 2.25m of the zones.

What does bathroom Zone 2 mean?

Bathroom Zone 2

Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone again an IP rating of at least IPx4* is required. It is good practice to regard the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap as zone 2.

Where is Zone 2 in bathroom?

Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In these bathroom zones an IP rating of at least IP44 is required. In addition, it is good practice to consider the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap, to be considered as zone 2.

Do you need an electrician to install a heated towel rail?

All electric towel rails and bathroom heaters must be hardwired by a qualified electrician which is usually a speedy task for a pro and one that doesn't involve lengthy callouts or expensive fees. As standalone heating solutions, there's no plumbing involved with electric towel rails.

Do you need a plumber to install a heated towel rail?

If you're having a dual fuel heated towel rail fitted, then this needs to be connected to the hot water central heating system AND to the electrical mains supply, so you'll either need to find a professional who can legally do both, or get a plumber and an electrician to install it safely and correctly.

Does a towel rail need a fused spur?

All electrical towel rails will need a safe point of isolation for example a fused spur, this item has to be located outside of the bathroom.

Can you have a towel rail switch in the bathroom?

It must be done by a professional

Even if you're simply considering the possibility of putting an electric radiator or towel rail in your bathroom, you need to be fully aware that this job can only be done by a qualified electrician.

Can you have a heated towel rail over a bath?

A towel rail usually gives out less heat than a radiator, however, if it has been sized correctly, then it should still be able to make your bathroom a warm and cosy place. A towel rail might take less time to heat up than a radiator.

What are Zones 1 and 2 in a bathroom?

The space under the bath tub or shower basin is considered to be zone 1. However, if the space under the bath or shower basin is only accessible with a tool, it is considered to be outside the zones. Zone 2 for a bathroom is the same height as zone 1 (2.25m) extended to 0.6m around the bath.

Is it illegal to have a plug socket in the bathroom UK?

Electrical sockets are permitted in bathrooms or shower rooms as long as they are located more than 3m from the edge of the bath or shower. Specially designed shaver units are an exception to this rule and can be located slightly nearer, but still no closer than 600mm from the bath or shower.

Can IPX4 be used in Zone 2?

According to the IET 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (Section 701), it is necessary to install ventilation products that meet a minimum of IPX4 in Zones 1 and 2 of a bathroom.

How far away does a switch need to be from a shower?

You should keep the receptacle at least 6 feet away from the edge of a bathtub or shower and at least 1 foot away from sinks.

What zone is a shower?

Zone 0 is quite basically, anywhere inside a bath, basin or shower itself. It's defined as 'any area within a bathroom that can hold water'.

What is the horizontal dimension of Zone 2 in the bathroom?

Zone 2: The area beyond zones 0 and 1, 0.6m horizontally and up to 2.25m vertically. Zone 2 also included any recessed window with a sill next to the bath. An important thing to note is that providing the space under the bath cannot be accessed without using tools, that space is considered to be 'out of scope'.

Can an electric towel rail be plugged in?

Plug-in models

All that is required to be installed is a power outlet (unless you already have one in the correct location), and then the heated towel rail can be installed and plugged in.

How many watts can a 3 amp fuse take?

Plugs for appliances rated up to about 700 watts should have a 3-amp fuse (coloured red). For example: 3A Fuse – Table lamp, standard lamp, television, video, computer, mixer, blender, fridge, freezer, power drill, jig saw, soldering iron.