The bathhouse is a building with a special microclimate, therefore, special requirements are imposed on the installation of wiring. Let's get acquainted with the rules for electrical work in the bath. Content:
- Wire section
- Electric oven wires
- Installation of an electrical panel
- Fastening the wires
- Sockets and switches
- Lamps in the steam room
- Wiring revision
The bathhouse is considered a room where there is a high probability of electric shock and fire. Therefore, all electrical equipment must be protected from the main negative factors - steam and moisture.
Determination of the cross-section of electrical wiring in the bath
Before starting work, draw up a wiring diagram in the bath, on which show the placement of sockets, switches, lamps and other electrical equipment in all rooms. Indicate the power of each device on the diagram.
To determine the cross-section of wires, you can focus on the following information:
- If only lamps are installed in the bath, the wiring must withstand 2 kW. Can use 1.5mm cable2 (3x1.5mm).
- If you plan to install a washing machine, boiler, curling iron, hairdryer in the room, the estimated power is 5 kW plus 20% of the stock. A VVNng-LS cable with a cross section of 3x4 (4 mm2) or copper cable 3x2.5, which can handle 5 kW.
- An electric stove for a steam room consumes 10-20 kW. To determine the cross-section of the power supply wires for powerful devices, use the reference tables, which indicate the power of electrical devices and the cable cross-sections commensurate with them.
- If you decide to stretch the electrical wiring in the bath with your own hands, show the electrical circuit of the bath and your calculations of the cross-sections of electrical wires to an intelligent electrician.
Wires for electric ovens for a bath
Must withstand up to 170 degrees. Single wires are suitable for extreme conditions PRKA, PMTK, PRKS OR RKGM. It is allowed to place an installation box in front of the steam room, to it you can stretch wires from the VVG 3x2, 5 type shield, and extend a PMTK-type cable from the box to the oven.
Installation of an electrical panel in a bath
Electricity in the bath is supplied in the same way as in other rooms - from the electrical panel. Residual current devices (RCDs), a general switch and outgoing switches are installed in the product. RCDs and machines must be commensurate with the load on each wire.
When installing, adhere to the following rules:
- The shield should be located in a dry place, protected from accidental ingress of moisture, for example, in a dressing room.
- Fix the device to the wall at a distance of at least 1.4 m from the floor.
- The approach to the device should always remain free.
- The product must be well ventilated.
- Install the shield in a well-lit place.
If you plan to conduct single-phase wiring indoors, buy a three-core cable that connects to the shield as follows:
- Connect the phase conductor to the upper terminal of the input circuit breaker. Usually the braiding of this core is gray, but in old wires the plastic is white or brown. Through the distribution busbars, the phase conductor is transferred to the automatic switches.
- Connect the zero core (light blue or blue) to the zero terminal.
- Clamp the conductors in the terminals so that there is no overheating at the points of contact.
- Connect the ground (yellow-green braid) to the protective block.
- Install the cables at the entrance and exit of the panel into the corrugated tubes.
- The machines are selected depending on the electrical equipment and the voltage in the network. If the total power is 6 kW, and the voltage is 220 W, the machine should be 6000/220 = 27 A, taking into account the margin - 32 A.
- Calculate the outgoing machines by groups of electrical appliances in the same way. Under each machine, write down what equipment it is responsible for. Select the input device depending on the total power
Rules for securing wires in the bath
When installing wiring in the bath, adhere to the following rules:
- Wire the electrical wiring in the wood bath over the walls along the shortest path to the appliances. Install sheet asbestos 10-15 mm wide and 3 mm thick under the wire.
- In a wooden bath, lead the wires to the electrical appliances through the attic, not along the baseboards.
- If the walls are brick, hide the wires under the plaster.
- Do not place wires in PVC pipes, as well as in metal pipes. For wiring, use a special plastic tube, it does not burn, it only melts.
- Place the wires vertically and horizontally, without kinking or kinking.
- It is recommended to do the wiring in one piece, without intermediate connections. If necessary, connect the wires by soldering or welding.
- Use PVC tubing to run wires through walls. Install one wire into the tube. After finishing the installation, seal the holes in the walls with porcelain bushings and funnels.
- When installing electrical wiring in the bath, do not fasten the cables opposite the doors and at a distance of less than 50 cm from metal parts.
- Do not place cables over the oven.
Features of the arrangement of sockets and switches for the bath
It is forbidden to place sockets, switches and junction boxes in the sauna and washing room due to the risk of short circuits. They are installed in a dressing room or a rest room.
In saunas, it is allowed to use products in a splash-proof version with a protection of at least IP-44. Purchase fully enclosed electrical appliances. The inlet on the products should only be from the bottom, with a U-shaped elbow, so that condensation does not get into the mechanism.
Use sockets with protective caps. Mount the devices at a height of 90 cm from the floor. Always use protective grounding.
The use of lamps in the steam room bath
Features of the use of lamps in the bath are as follows:
- Twelve-volt halogen bulbs may be used in damp areas.
- The voltage of 12 V is created by a step-down transformer, which is placed outside the steam room. The main condition is to locate the device away from moisture and steam.
- Use heat-resistant wires in the steam room, for example, SILFEX Sif S = 0.25-185 mm2, single core with silicone insulation.
- Fix the wire in the steam room at a distance of at least 0.8 m from the chimney and stove.
- Choose a glass plafond, a metal case. Be sure to ground it after installation.
- Plastic elements are not allowed in the luminaires, they can melt.
- Install the luminaires on the walls, because there is a high temperature under the ceiling.
- For safety reasons, no fluorescent lamps are placed in the steam room.
- Buy lamps sealed and waterproof.
- The best option is the complete absence of electrical equipment in the steam room. Lighting can be arranged from the outside, for example, by installing glass doors in the steam room.
The easiest way to make the electrical wiring in the bathhouse safe, and the lighting original, is to install spotlights in the wall near the floor, because it will always be cooler in this space. The lighting turns out to be unusual and mysterious. The wire to the spotlights is led through special plastic pipes.
In the dressing room and the rest room, it is allowed to install lamps with a power of up to 75 W and a protection class of at least IP-44.
Revision of the wiring in the bath
Under normal conditions, aluminum wires have a shelf life of 15 years, copper wires - 20 years, after the expiration date they must be changed. In the bath, the wires are in extreme conditions, fail earlier. The audit of cables in the bath is carried out every 4 years, this is considered a guarantor of safety.
Video about the features of the use of electrical wiring in the bath:
Correct wiring in the bath ensures a comfortable and safe rest in the room. If you are doing the work yourself, carefully study the PUE (Electrical Installation Rules) in the part that relates to wet rooms.
