in this Q and A video we're going to answer the question can I install a USB charging point in a
bathroom now you may remember a video I made some time ago asking and answering the question can
I install a socket outlet in a bathroom in that video we learned that we absolutely could install
a 13 amp BS 1363 socket out in the bathroom as long as certain conditions were met now that the
second Amendment to the 18th edition of BS7671 is coming to full effect that has actually changed so
we thought we'd update you on that change but also expand the subject a little by thinking about USB
charging points and if they can be installed in a bathroom so let's get the easy part out of the
way under previous editions and amendments of the wiring regulations regulations 701.512.3 titled
erection of switch gear control gear and accessories according to external influences
outlined what could and couldn't be installed in the different zones of a bathroom and right at the
end we find this information except for SELV socket outlets complying with section 414 and
shaver supply units complying with BSEN61558-2-5 socket outlets are prohibited within a distance
of 3 meters horizontally from the boundary of zone one so a socket outlet could be installed
in a bathroom or shower room as long as it was three meters away from the edge of zone one
which to keep it simple we'll say is the edge of the bath or shower tray for the purposes of
this video there is a little more to it than this but we'll get to that in another video
however with the update in Amendment 2 we find that this is now the case except for
SELV sockets complying with section 414 and shaver supply units complying with BSEN61558-2-5 socket
outlets are prohibited within a distance of 2.5 meters horizontally from the boundary of zone one
great news so now we can install a socket half a meter closer to the bath or shower than we could
before but even with this spectacularly generous allowance here for the shower room I'd still
be installing the socket outside so that's the update to that particular requirement but what
about if we wanted to install a dedicated USB charging point in the bath or shower room where
could we install this well let's go back to the start of that regulation and see if we can glean
any clues from there the following requirements do not apply to switches and controls which are
incorporated in fixed current using equipment suitable for use in that zone or to insulating
pull cords of cord operated switches in zone zero switch gear or accessories shall not be installed
so that makes sense as zone 0 is in the bath or shower tray so electrical accessories in here
would not be a great idea it continues in zone one only switches of SELV circuits supplied at
a nominal voltage not exceeding 12 volts AC RMS or 30 volts ripple free DC shall be installed
the safety source being installed outside zone 0 1 and 2. okay so now we're in the space above
the bath or shower tray to a height of two point two five meters or at the same height of a fixed
shower head or outlet fits higher which you do find from time to time with those fancy rainfall
showers that you get and in this space we're only allowed switches that control SELV circuits so no
USB charging outlet there now at this point it's important to remember we're only talking about
switch gear control gear and accessories because as I'm sure you're very well aware you're totally
allowed to have a big old electric shower mounted in zone one but that's covered in a different
regulation outlining the use of current using equipment now we get on to the critical part
in zone two switch gear accessories incorporating switches or socket outlets shall not be installed
with the exception of one switches and socket outlets of SELV circuits the safety source being
installed outside zone zero one and two and two shaver supply units complying with BSEN61558-2-5
so now we're in the space on the outside of the bath or shower and now we've got a little bit more
freedom so we can install shaver sockets that have an isolating transformer built in so you can't get
a shock to Earth from them but we've also got an allowance for switches and socket outlets
of SELV circuits so could we install a dedicated USB charger in zone 2 well based on this there's
probably an argument that you could a USB charge point has a transformer in the back of it that
drops the output down to extra low voltage levels and maybe you could argue that the safety source
is outside the zones as it's in the wall behind the accessory but I wouldn't advocate that this
is acceptable myself for a couple of reasons in the next regulation which is all about current
using equipment in the zones it stipulates that every item should be suitable for use in that zone
according to the manufacturer's instructions and in 701.512.2 the regs specify that all equipment
in zones one and two should be rated at IPX4 again it's unlikely that a USB charge point even
has an IP rating for water most manufacturers simply haven't designed these USB charges for
installation in specific zones of a bathroom and even though they may have a transformer on the
back that drops the output down to extra load levels they haven't been designed to do that
for safety purposes but rather for functional purposes so I don't believe that they would be
considered true SELV so I would treat a dedicated USB charging point in the same way as a BS1363
socket outlet and keep it 2.5 meters from the edge of the full shower but what do you think
do you agree with my reasoning or do you think that I'm just way off on this one let us know
in the comments below and for more information on a very fast charging combined socket outlet
and USB charger please check out this video right here thank you very much for watching