Bath is a humid and hot room, so the electrification here has its own characteristics. Conditions such as high humidity and with it temperature can negatively affect wiring and the ability to safely operate all the benefits of electricity. How to make electrical wiring in the bath so that it is truly safe? There are several rules.
In the case of baths, electrification through a separate cable from the main switchboard can be considered an ideal option. Ideally, it is recommended to use a separate ground loop. Below we will look at cable routing methods.
Hidden and open wiring
A bathhouse made of timber, a log house or any other natural material is the most environmentally friendly option. In such a room you can have a good time and relax. But in addition to these properties and characteristics, wood is most susceptible to fires, which are more oftenjust happen due to various wiring problems.
Many people want the wiring elements not to be visible, however, for safety, the wiring in the log cabin must be open. Closed does not provide such opportunities. Here, all communications are hidden under the finishing materials.
Features of open wiring
The use of such a scheme makes the process of maintenance and repair of electrical communications easier. In the event of any breakdown, you can always identify the location of the malfunction and quickly solve the problem.
Wiring in the bath is carried out using special cable channels. These devices reduce the risk of fire of a wooden structure to almost zero - the material from which they are made is not combustible.
There are many such products of different configurations - they are distinguished by colors. It is light brown, white or brown.
In order to use electricity as safely as possible, and the wiring elements do not heat up beyond the permissible limit, the cable channels are filled up to 60%. If the structure is completely filled, then the possibility of removing excess heat is lost. This is a common cause of short circuits and fires.
Closed
Specialists allow this possibility. Wiring in the bath under the lining can be laid, but only if the cable is reliably protected by a corrugated pipe. But it's best to use open as a safer way.
Project and basicssecurity
Wiring in the bath, as in any other room, begins with the development of the scheme. Any elements of communications should be laid only strictly vertically or horizontally. Cables must not be bent or twisted. So that the wiring does not spoil the appearance of the room, it is placed in the most inconspicuous places. However, you should not place system elements in front of doorways or in corners, near heating appliances and metal pipes.
Sometimes the electrical wiring in the bath can be closed. But this option can be used if communications are located in a metal pipe or behind a suspended ceiling system. In this case, the quality of the insulation of cable connections requires special attention - it is poor insulation that often causes fires.
Options for laying the power line
The main power cable can be routed in various ways. So, you can lay it in the air or underground. The choice of a suitable option depends on the distance of the erected building from the switchboard.
Electrical wiring in the bath should be laid even at the time of development of the building itself, and the choice of a solution for pulling the power section should also be selected in advance based on the features. Both the air and underground methods have their advantages and disadvantages.
Features of wiring in the steam room, protection class of electrical appliances
At the stage of arranging a steam room, you need to remember that in such a room it is forbidden to havesockets and switches. These elements are allowed, but their installation is allowed only in recreation rooms, as well as in dressing rooms. According to safety standards, sockets, like switches, must be mounted no lower than ninety centimeters from the floor.
As for the protection class, all electrical appliances must have an indicator of at least IP-44. Luminaires must comply with IP-54 class. The electrical wiring in the bath is designed in such a way that the length of the wire to the appliance is as short as possible. It is also forbidden to place electrical communications under the stove.
Laying a power line through the air
This is a fairly economical option. If the distance from the shield to the building is more than 25 meters, then an intermediate support is installed. Laying can be carried out on porcelain insulators or with the help of stretching.
It is important that the cable is at the correct height during installation. For example, if installation is carried out above the roadway, then it is allowed to install it no lower than six meters above the ground. If the cable is laid over a sidewalk or any other non-traffic road, then the permissible height is not less than 3.5 meters. The cable is connected to the bath itself at a height of at least 2.75 m.
For ordinary laying through the air, a self-supporting insulated cable or SIP is used. Its service life is 25 years. These products are designated as follows: SIP-3, SIP-2A, SIP-4. They are equipped with a special weatherproof insulatingmaterial. The disadvantage of this cable: due to its characteristics, this option is difficult to bring to the circuit breaker.
As for the cable itself, it is introduced into the room through a wooden wall or a metal sleeve. The cross section of the power cable must be at least 16 square meters. mm - it can withstand current up to 63 A. If the connection is of a single-phase type, then the maximum will be 14 kW of power. When the connection is three-phase, then the cable can withstand 42 kW. For baths, this power is more than enough. Another disadvantage that this cable has is that it is difficult to bend.
SIP is made of aluminum wire and should not be run through attics.
That is why another type of communication is introduced directly into the room - NYM, VVG or NG. The cross section of these cables is from 10 sq. mm. For connection, it is necessary to use sealed connectors, and the SIP cable is fixed to special anchor tensioners.
Underground installation
This gasket is more expensive. In this case, the norms assume a trench up to 1 meter deep. The cable must be purchased more expensive - V56Shv. It is armored, and its veins are copper. In accordance with the high price, it has a greater level of protection. With it, electrical wiring in wooden baths is considered safer. This cable has a steel braid between the inner and outer plastic sheaths. With this protection, such a product is not afraid of mice, moles, as well as any natural disasters.
In the case of laying underground, met althe pipeline is not used - condensate will accumulate in the pipes. Entry into the room will be through the same sleeve.
To perform underground installation of the power unit, it is necessary to dig a trench up to 0.7 m deep. Sand is poured into the bottom of the pit, then the cable is laid, and then again covered with sand. It is very important to avoid tension during the laying process.
Do-it-yourself wiring in the bath: step by step instructions
All work will take place in several steps. So, the preparatory stage involves the purchase and preparation of all necessary materials and tools, design work. Next is the installation itself.
Preparatory work
In order to start installation work, you need to prepare all the necessary materials and tools. These are cables of a certain section, metal hose, sockets, switches, electrical tape. You should also prepare tools for electrical work. If the bath was built on a stone or concrete base, then putty should also be prepared.
It is very important to choose the right cable. To determine the correct section, determine the load for which the wiring in the bath will be designed. The rules recommend using a 1.5 mm cable for a current of 19 Amp2, for a current of 70 A, a 10 mm section is suitable2.
You can also use the following formula: maximum possible load kW / voltage V. When calculating, it is important to take into account all devices. As for the choice of metal hose, it shouldopt for the more flexible option. The wall thickness must be at least 2 mm.
Internal installation work
When the power cable has already been laid, it remains to perform internal work - to conduct electrical wiring in the bathhouse and connect all sockets, switches and other equipment.
In the process of work, it is important to remember three things - phase, zero and ground. The first is the main wire, which circulates the current. Zero is needed for grounding inside the power grid. Earth is used to ground specific appliances. Under no circumstances should these wires be mixed up.
To find the phase, you need an indicator screwdriver. At the moment the screwdriver tip is connected to the phase, the indicator will light up. Ground is a separate connector. Now you need to connect a switchboard to the supply power section.
How to install the inner shield
The shield is usually installed in dressing rooms or in rest rooms. An input machine is mounted directly in it, as well as an RCD. A residual current device is necessary to ensure fire safety and reliable operation of lighting devices and other electrical devices. For a bath, an RCD is simply necessary, since there is an increased level of humidity.
Sockets, switches, outdoor wiring boxes must be splash-proof. It is recommended to enter from below. You should first prepare a U-shaped elbow - this is done so that condensate cannot get inside the devices.
All electrical wiring in the bath should be done only through difavtomatami or specialresidual current devices, but the tripping current must be between 10 and 30 mA. It is recommended for a steam room, as well as for a washing room, to use lower voltages. However, this would require an expensive system. Experts advise every month to check the operation of residual current devices. It is desirable to carry out all wiring with a double-insulated cable in order to avoid fire in the room during a short circuit. In the furnace and in the steam room, an ordinary heat-resistant wire is best.
As for lighting, it is preferable to use low-voltage equipment. Conductors should only be connected using the terminal method. Also, do not forget about grounding and lightning protection.
The wiring itself can be placed both in a metal and in a corrugated tube made of non-combustible material or in a metal hose. It is also better to use boxes for power cables made of non-flammable materials.
Conclusion
As you can see, do-it-yourself wiring in the bathhouse is quite capable of ensuring safety and durable operation. If you make a correct and competent project, choose the right cables and electrical equipment, follow the basic rules for installation and working with electricity, then everything will definitely work out. The main thing is that all work is carried out very, very carefully. If you do not have the necessary knowledge for this, you should not risk it again. It is better to use the help of professionals.
So, we figured out how you can do the powercable in the bath.
