ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades Quiz time!

Just pretend you're a five-year-old and follow this link to London Electricity's Electric Jungle.

Have fun!




[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-12-2002).]

but....your 'plugs' are fused right?....

Paul,

Why isn't it safe to use a Hairdryer in the Bathroom?

I was in the Kitchen and couldn't get out to go to the Bathroom to find out the answer. (figuratively speaking of course )

Bill

Steve,

Yes, our 13A plugs are fused (ceramic cartridge type, 1 x 0.25", ratings from 1A to 13A). The older style round-pin plugs usually aren't fused, although there aren't too many of those still around in common domestic use.

I hadn't though about "the plug contains a fuse so the plug could be classed as a protective device" argument, but I see your point.

There are some other nits to pick as well, e.g. brown is the live wire in a plug. They should add "unless it's on an appliance made before 1970 in which case it's red."

And I do feel that for kids as young as this is aimed at, they're over-emphasizing the power used by a TV on standby.

Bill,
To get out of any room you click on the small house symbol at the top left of the frame. (Yeah, I only found out by accident!)

Anyway, if you go to the hairdryer in the bathroom:


It goes along with the IEE's total refusal to accept any receptacle in a bathroom, other than a low-power xfmr-isolated shaver outlet.

Where'd that elephant come from anyway?



[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-13-2002).]

hmmm, so where would mama do her thing?

[/i]( i should'nt complain, it's cold here in the winter...mornings and all...)[/i]


the democrats?

Er.... Wouldn't that mean they'd kidnapped it from a REPUBLICAN convention????

(More on bathrooms tomorrow -- Way past bedtime this side of the pond.)

Steve,


Well, according to our IEE, any place but the bathroom!

I had a feeling at least one of you would pick up on the hairdryer/bathroom angle, especially as there's been much talk re 1875W units, dedicated bath circuits etc.

I'm not sure when the "no sockets in a bathroom" rule was introduced, but it's there in the 1955 regulations, so it's a good while.

Of course it is possible to find bathrooms with receptacles installed against the regs., but for everybody else they either use the hair-dryer in a bedroom, or run an extension cord into bathroom.

So long as there is suitable care, such as the receptacle located away from the tub, provided with GFI protection, etc., then I think it SHOULD be allowed.

Oh, and with reference to that elephant, I guess this U.S. road sign really means "Caution: Democrats ahead!"





[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-15-2002).]