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| Planning to Renovate my bathroom:
According to what research I've done, there cannot be an electrical switch within "X" amount of inches from a tub or shower. (I think it is sixty something inches, can't recall exactly). However, my problem is that the current location of the switch box as you enter the bathroom is around 24" from the shower stall. It's right along the edge of the bathroom entry door so it cannot be moved over any further. Moving it would require installing a new door that would open opposite and also moving the switch to a new location on another wall. This would cause the door to open into and hit the base of the shower stall and would be create a somewhat awkward entry into the room. (The bathroom is on the second floor so moving the shower would require me to also move the toilet etc... which would lead to re-plumbing the entire bathroom among other things and is out of the question.) Are there any exceptions or conditions where a light switch can be in close proximity to the tub or shower? What are my options? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by ronnatalie (My Page) on Thu, Nov 11, 10 at 7:50
| My entire bathroom isn't 60 inches long. There's no prohibition on switch location as long as it is not INSIDE the shower area. |
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- Posted by blindmanbruce (My Page) on Thu, Nov 11, 10 at 12:17
| Thanks for the clarification ronnatalie. I always read too much into things. I figured that a switch or outlet would not be installed inside the shower/tub area (it's just common sense); I forget that the code has to sometimes state the obvious for people who have no common sense. In cases where the obvious is stated I start looking for a more complicated reason. My thought was that they didn't want you to be standing in water and be within "reach" of anything electrical. For light switches I guess I can understand it, ie. if you were in the shower you would have little reason to use the switch. You certainly wouldn't want to turn off the light while you're in the shower. But what about a switch for an exhaust fan or a switch for a light that is over the shower? Is there any restriction on those? Is it the same for gfic outlets as well? |
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| I figured that a switch or outlet would not be installed inside the shower/tub area The house we moved into 6 yrs ago, built in the 1950's, had the switch in the tub/shower. Originally it had the tub, then the whole bathroom was tiled and a shower added to the tub. Now the switch was in with the shower. It was pretty safe though, the shower was on one end and the switch on the other. Never got real wet. |
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- Posted by alan_s_thefirst (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 0:45
| You could always put the switch outside the bathroom... |
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| Find out your local code and what the actual nation code is? Your local code will apply along with the national code when you get a permit and it’s inspected. You also want to be safe in the shower. Switch within the shower!!!!!!!!! |
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- Posted by ronnatalie (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 8:19
| New construction in NJ is governed by the 2008 NEC, rehab work may be allowed to comply with the 2005 code alone. As I stated, either version of the NEC only specifies that the switch be OUTSIDE the shower area. There's no minimum distance. |
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- Posted by Patrick(pdurham@gmail.com) onSat, Mar 5, 11 at 15:54
| Per the 2008 NEC: Article 404 "Switches", Part 4 "Damp or Wet Locations": Article 406 "Receptacles", Part 8 "Receptacles in Damp Locations": (Note: A "receptacle" is defined as an outlet where a user connects a plug.) Article 410 "Luminaires, Lampholders & Lamps", Part 10 "Luminaires in Specific Locations": Hope this clarifies. |
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- Posted by texasredhead (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 11 at 9:03
| Alan has the best idea. One of our bathrooms where it would be an issue, the light switch is on the outside wall entrance to the bathroom. If you are really concerned, simply cut a hole for the box and turn the switch around to face the wall entering the bathroom. Mine has a lighted dimmer switch. Inside the bathroom on the wall opposite from the tub/shower is a switch to control the ceiling fan and a GFCI switch for hair dryers and the like. |
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- Posted by texasredhead (My Page) on Mon, Mar 7, 11 at 7:52
| I meant a GFCI receptacle. |
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