Shaver socket

[offshorematt2]

Quick bit of advice required if anyone can help?

I'm just finishing installing a new en suite bathroom - the old one had a really nasty plastic wall lamp with shaver socket which I removed. I brought the supply out of the wall inside my new wall units and my intention was to fit a single wall mounted box, with single sized shaver socket fascia. I prefer this inside the cupboard for looks more than anything else.

Bought the relevant items but as it was about to fit the face plate last night realised it said 'not for use in bathrooms' on the back. Some googling suggests that all the bathroom rated ones are double sized. Can anyone enlighten me why this is? What's the difference? I hazard a guess that the single face plate isn't splash proof - if it's just that, then I'm comfortable using it as there is no danger of it getting wet. Just wondered if there was more to it though.

As an aside, if it's no use for bathrooms, where is it designed for? Don't think I've ever seen a shaver socket in any other room?

[mph1977]

offshorematt2 said:

Quick bit of advice required if anyone can help?

I'm just finishing installing a new en suite bathroom - the old one had a really nasty plastic wall lamp with shaver socket which I removed. I brought the supply out of the wall inside my new wall units and my intention was to fit a single wall mounted box, with single sized shaver socket fascia. I prefer this inside the cupboard for looks more than anything else.

Bought the relevant items but as it was about to fit the face plate last night realised it said 'not for use in bathrooms' on the back. Some googling suggests that all the bathroom rated ones are double sized. Can anyone enlighten me why this is? What's the difference? I hazard a guess that the single face plate isn't splash proof - if it's just that, then I'm comfortable using it as there is no danger of it getting wet. Just wondered if there was more to it though.

As an aside, if it's no use for bathrooms, where is it designed for? Don't think I've ever seen a shaver socket in any other room?

proper bathroom ones have an isolation transformer as a side effect of such they usually have both 110-120 and 230-240 v output available

[JimbobVFR]

yeah what he said. So the 240 output on a shaver socket will actually be fed from a transformer with an equal number of turns on the input and output coils.

Its not just about a splashing hazzard its also to prevent issues if the accessory is used with wet hands. Personally I'd be fitting a proper transformer type socket irrespective of which zone its in or even if it's in a cupboard.

[NH1]

The transformer in the socket isolates the output from the input so there can be no fault paths back to earth. It also reduces the amount of available current to virtually nothing.

[offshorematt2]

Fair do's, better to do it right. I'll stick this one in the bits box and move on. Appreciate the advice.

Anyone know if you get the proper bathroom type in single sized face plate? Or am I limited to the double face plate? Google wasn't very helpful.

[miniman]

Hide a transformer one in a cupboard, then run a cord from its output to the back of the small one.

[Simpo Two]

I have a cordless rechargeable shaver.

[JimbobVFR]

offshorematt2 said:

Anyone know if you get the proper bathroom type in single sized face plate? Or am I limited to the double face plate? Google wasn't very helpful.

I've never seen one myself, I'd guess a suitably rated transformer wouldn't fit.

TBH I'd not seen the nono transformer single gang version before either. By their very nature a shaver socket will be next to a sink so even if not required I'd fit an isolating transformer version. I struggle to think of a place I'd want a shaver socket not near a sink.

[NH1]

Not only is is 2 gang size only it needs a 47mm deep box as well.

[Gareth79]

You can get separate isolation transformers to use with the single gang type sockets, eg:
http://www.warmsoles.co.uk/decorshave_transformer-...

I'm sure there are cheaper ones available.

The advantages are that it looks neater, and if mounting in brick you don't need to cut such a massive hole! Also these days a single 240V shaver socket is probably not enough, I have seen twin output ones without a transformer.

[hairyben]

Aurora make a sigle sized shaver point with the required isolating transformer providing you've got the box depth.

Should really ask for advice before doing electrical work though- there are both legal and safety considerations particularly in bathrooms and considering the regulations only when you find the manufacturers "don't sue me" sticker isn't the right way to go about it..

[offshorematt2]

JimbobVFR said:

By their very nature a shaver socket will be next to a sink so even if not required I'd fit an isolating transformer version. I struggle to think of a place I'd want a shaver socket not near a sink.

Yeah me too - that's why I never suspected there would be shaving sockets specifically for bathroom zones. I wet shave so the only requirement for this shave socket is to recharge the missus' electric toothbrush once in a blue moon. No need for it to be near the sink therefore, and in this case I'm mounting it inside the cupboard anyway. I'd have dumped it altogether if it were me but she asked for it to be retained...

hairyben said:

Aurora make a sigle sized shaver point with the required isolating transformer providing you've got the box depth.

Should really ask for advice before doing electrical work though- there are both legal and safety considerations particularly in bathrooms and considering the regulations only when you find the manufacturers "don't sue me" sticker isn't the right way to go about it..

Will take a look into this, thanks. Not the end of the world if I end up with a double sized one really though, there's plenty of space for a double sized box.

Regards advice for electrical work, I agree to a point. In my younger years I didn't think twice about modifying and wiring rooms myself but as I've got older, appreciate risk a little more . In fact I had a spark round a couple of months back checking my run of new wiring to the new loft lamps and tying it into the ring (amongst a load of other little jobs that were needing addressed). Could I have done it myself? Of course, but I do understand the need to get it right and certified. The reason I say 'to a point' though, is here we're talking about removing a feed to a combined light/shaver socket and installing it into a shiny new socket. No more complicated that fitting a three pin plug or changing a switch fascia. As it is it seemed there was more to it than initially appeared, I went out for advice to the font of all knowledge that is Pistonheads. Let's consider it Part PH certified rather than Part P this time.