Bathroom Electrical

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Dennis Alwon said:
That switch is in the bathroom and I don't think that shower was there 100 yrs ago.;)
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Shower was there 100 yrs ago. Can't tell by the rod and curtain (which are new), but the basin is definately original. I wish I took a picture of that as well. Very.....unique. But it is the same curve and dimension as the curtain rod.


480sparky said:
I don't understand your comment about finding tile if the switch is removed. What's all that white stuff on the walls in the shower? Cardboard boxes?

Just move the switch to the other side of the wall. Simple as pie.
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Owners concern is: If we move the switch, where is he going to find pieces of the original tile to cover the area where the switch once was.
 
controlnovice said:
Owners concern is: If we move the switch, where is he going to find pieces of the original tile to cover the area where the switch once was.
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Cover it with a white WP blank cover with a gasket. No law against having a j-box in a shower, is there?
 
480sparky said:
Use a WP cover with the gasket. No rule against having a j-box in a shower, is there?
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See, now you're just causing trouble. :grin:

.....no j-box needed, use a PVC WP switch cover. ;)
 
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Dennis Alwon said:
The switch would still be over the base of the shower wouldn't it. It doesn't matter where the curtain is.
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Dennis .... we still do not know where the base is. :smile:

My own shower the curtain rod is outside the base of the tub.
 
Okay:

The top of the shower base is very close to the radius of the curtain rod. If anything, the curtain rod is just inside the base.

Even if the switch is considered outside, or we move the shower curtain, I am not comfortable enough to keep the switch here for the owner.

Can I quote code or is this grandfathered?

Would you take a shower with the switch located here?
 
If you can determine that the switch is located inside the shower-stall then yes NEC can be cited,..if not , the old adage " you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink ".., comes to mind.
 
Quote code and safety.

Quote code and safety.

controlnovice said:
I am not comfortable enough to keep the switch here for the owner.

Can I quote code or is this grandfathered?

Quote code and safety. Switches must not be installed within wet locations in shower spaces unless installed as part of a listed shower assembly. If you email this pic to your local elec inspection dept they will probably beg for this address.

Would you take a shower with the switch located here?
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No, no, and no.

There have been fatalities in a shower due to lightening strikes no electrical was in the area. This one has a switch wow allow increased chances why don't we?
 
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controlnovice said:
Owners concern is: If we move the switch, where is he going to find pieces of the original tile to cover the area where the switch once was.
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A bigger concern would be where would he find a new kid that would match the rest of the family.


FRANK
 
controlnovice said:
Owner is concerned of
1) finding tile if the switch is moved
2)even if tile is found, can it be installed well enough without water entry problems.
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I would think that this concern in and of itself would be enough for the HO to realize the folly of keeping an electrical device there. If he thinks some mastik and grout won't keep the water out of the wall, what's keeping it out of the switch?

As to item #1, has he (or his tile guy) looked? Maybe it's the perfect place for a new soap dish?
 
how about rotating the switch and operating it outside the bathroom. then carefully remove a piece of tile from behind the mirror to make the patch.
 
controlnovice said:
Would you take a shower with the switch located here?
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Yes without a doubt, I would probably refrain from operating the switch while showering but assuming you properly ground everything even that should not really be an issue.

How long have the occupants been taking showers there without a problem?

All that said, I would probably flip the switch around into the hall, (it does not have to be in the room) the hole can be filed with a blank or tile.
 
Old school electricians??????

Old school electricians??????

controlnovice said:
(house is 100+ yrs)?[/B]

The tile, shower and switch location are all original. Owner removed all knob and tube wiring and replaced with romex.

This home is 100+ years old and nothing has been a problem so lets let it go 200 years without a problem and assume it's grounded in that area,

(Old school electricians will tell you this).


Better yet even if it is grounded, there is no way down the line of a possibility of a loose ground from a feed through box leading to that switch.


Yea sure. Let's assume while we all do this. We all know what you can do when you assume. Especially on a life threatening issue shown. Whether it has been there 100 yrs or not. A church showed on cnn burned to the ground earlier this month. Church was 103 yrs old. When it was 100 years old there was no problem. hmmmm.

Some just really don't get it. Prevent the problem while you can. It's now a perfect time. This maybe your chance. Maybe there is a reason the home all of a sudden has upgraded it's wiring.

Best thing to do now is do it right, not like the old school electricians did when they installed the knob and tube.
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mike johnson said:
Best thing to do now is do it right, not like the old school electricians did when they installed the knob and tube.
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Now that is just an plain ignorant statement to make. There are K&T systems installed correctly and there are ones that are hacked - just like the methods used today.
 
Misunderstanding

Misunderstanding

peter d said:
Now that is just an plain ignorant statement to make. There are K&T systems installed correctly and there are ones that are hacked - just like the methods used today.
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I said it meaning don't follow the old proceedures. Nothing intentional about old school electricians. In the early 1900's knob and tube was in. It is 2008 now. Perform proceedures that are in.
 
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