A bathhouse is a humid and hot room, so electrification here has its own characteristics. Conditions such as high humidity and temperature along with it can negatively affect the wiring and the safe operation of all the benefits of electricity. How to make wiring in the bath so that it is truly safe? There are a few rules.
In the case of baths, electrification through a separate cable from the main switchboard can be considered an ideal option. Ideally, a separate ground loop is recommended. Below we will look at cable management methods.
Hidden and open wiring
A bath made of timber, 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 most often occur due to various malfunctions in the wiring.
Many people want the wiring elements not to be visible, however, for safety, the wiring in the log cabin should be open. Closed does not provide such opportunities. Here all communications are hidden under the finishing materials.
Features 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 place of malfunction and quickly solve the problem.
Installation of electrical 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 color. It is light brown, white or brown.
To use electricity was as safe as possible, and the wiring elements did not heat up above the permissible limit, cable channels fill up to 60%. If you fill the structure completely, then the ability to remove excess heat is lost. This is a common cause of short circuits and fires.
Closed
Specialists admit such an opportunity. Wiring in the bathhouse 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.
Design and Security Basics
Installation of electrical wiring in the bath, as in any other room, begins with the development of the circuit. Any elements of communications should be laid only strictly vertically or horizontally. Cable bends or twists are not allowed. So that the wiring does not spoil the appearance of the room, it is placed in the most inconspicuous places. However, it is not worthwhile to place system elements in front of doorways or in corners, near heating appliances and metal pipes.
Sometimes the wiring in the bath can be of a closed type. But this option can be used if the communications are located in a metal pipe or behind a system of suspended ceilings. Particular attention in this case requires the quality of the insulation of the cable connections - it is poor insulation that often causes fires.
Power Line Layout Options
The main power cable can be routed in various ways. So, you can lay it through the air or underground. The choice of a suitable option depends on the remoteness of the erected structure from the switchboard.
The electrical wiring in the bath should be laid at the time of development of the building itself, and the choice of a solution for broaching the power unit should also be selected in advance based on the features. Both the air and the underground method have their advantages and disadvantages.
Features wiring in the steam room, protection class for electrical appliances
At the stage of arranging the steam room, you need to remember that the presence of sockets and switches is prohibited in such a room. These elements are allowed, but their installation is allowed only in the premises for the rest, as well as in the dressing rooms. According to safety standards, sockets, like switches, should 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. The wiring in the bath is designed so that the length of the wire to the device is as short as possible. It is also forbidden to place electrical communications under the stove.
Air line routing
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 by means of a stretch.
It is important that the cable is at the right height during installation. For example, if installation is carried out over the carriageway, then it is allowed to install it no lower than six meters above the ground. If the cable is laid over the sidewalk or any other off-road, then the permissible height is not lower than 3.5 meters. A cable is supplied to the bathhouse at a height of at least 2.75 m.
For ordinary laying through the air, a self-supporting insulated or SIP cable is used. Its service life is 25 years. These products are designated as follows: SIP-3, SIP-2A, SIP-4. They are equipped with special weatherproof insulation material. The disadvantage of this cable: because of its features, 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 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 drawback that this cable has is that it is difficult to bend.
SIP is made of aluminum wire, and it is unacceptable to conduct it through the 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 square meters. mm For the connection it is necessary to use tight connectors, and the SIP cable is fixed to special anchor tensioners.
Underground installation
Such a 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 sheaths of plastic. With this protection, such a product is not afraid of mice, moles, as well as any natural disasters.
In the case of laying underground, a metal pipeline is not used - condensate will accumulate in the pipes. Entering 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 in depth. Sand is poured at the bottom of the pit, then a cable is laid, and then sand is poured again. In the process of laying it is very important to prevent tension.
Do-it-yourself wiring in the bathhouse: step-by-step instruction
All work will take place in a few steps. So, the preparatory phase involves the purchase and preparation of all necessary materials and tools, design work. Next, the installation itself is performed.
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 hoses, sockets, switches, electrical tape. Tools for electrical work should also be prepared. If the bathhouse was built on a stone or concrete foundation, 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 calculated. The rules recommend using a cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm 2 for a current of 19 Amps, for a current of 70 A, a cross section of 10 mm 2 is suitable.
You can also use the following formula: the maximum possible load is kW / voltage V. When calculating, it is important to consider all devices. As for the choice of a metal hose, you should give preference to a more flexible option. The wall thickness should be at least 2 mm.
Indoor Installation
When the power cable is already laid, it remains to carry out internal work - in the bathhouse, conduct electrical wiring and connect all sockets, switches and other equipment.
In the process, it is important to remember three things - phase, zero and earth. The first is the main wire, which circulates the current. Zero is needed for grounding inside the mains. Earth is used to ground specific devices. 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. Earth - separate connector. Now you need to connect the distribution panel to the power supply section .
How to install the inner shield
The shield is usually installed in the dressing rooms or in lounges. Directly in it is mounted an input automaton, 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 UZO is simply necessary, since there is an increased level of humidity.
Sockets, switches, boxes for external wiring must be protected against splashes. Input is recommended to be performed from below. First you need to prepare the U-shaped knee - this is done so that condensate can not get inside the devices.
All electrical wiring in the bath should be carried out only through difavtomaty or special protective shutdown devices, but the shutdown current should be from 10 to 30 mA. It is recommended for the steam room, as well as for washing to use reduced voltage. However, this will require an expensive system. Experts advise every month to check the operation of residual current devices. It is advisable to carry out all wiring with a cable with double insulation in order to avoid a fire in the room during a short circuit. In the furnace and in the steam room, an ordinary heat-resistant wire is best suited.
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. Boxes for power cables are also best used in non-combustible materials.
Conclusion
As you can see, do-it-yourself wiring in the bathhouse is quite capable of ensuring safety and long-term operation. If you make the right and competent project, choose the right cables and electrical equipment, observe the basic rules of installation and work with electricity, then everything will 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, do not risk it again. It is better to take the help of professionals.
So, we found out how you can personally conduct the power cable in the bath.