How close can an outlet be to a bathtub ? Help

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Stevenfyeager

Senior Member
Location
United States, Indiana
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electrical contractor
A homeowner in this new house has added outlets very close to the bathtub in 3 bathrooms. 12 inches away from the tub and 14 off the floor. One could be sitting in the tub and easily touch these. NEC allow this ? 2008 code in use here. Thank you
 
Stevenfyeager said:
Wow. One would think the same reason we can't have an outlet within 6 ft of a hot tub would also apply here.... But, thanks.
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"The NEC makes perfect sense."


Said.......... no one ever.

NECAheadSign.jpg
 
Stevenfyeager said:
Wow. One would think the same reason we can't have an outlet within 6 ft of a hot tub would also apply here.... But, thanks.
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Nope. Totally different language.

In a dwelling Bathtub or Shower, one cannot install the receptacle "over a bathtub or within a shower stall."

That's it.

Nothing about "distance away".

Read 2017 NEC 406.9(C).
 
which is not understandable, given how many times you see people in movies dying from something like a toaster or a radio falling in the tub... if you at least make it so that one needs an extension cord to make it happen, the you increase the likelihood of fingerprints being found to prove whether murder or suicide
 
Adamjamma said:
which is not understandable, given how many times you see people in movies dying from something like a toaster or a radio falling in the tub... if you at least make it so that one needs an extension cord to make it happen, the you increase the likelihood of fingerprints being found to prove whether murder or suicide
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Movies over exaggerate nearly every aspect of what likely happens in such situations. Not saying people can't die in such situation, some may some may not depends on circumstances, but I'd bet it is seldom as spectacular to observe as it is in the movies either.
 
Adamjamma said:
which is not understandable, given how many times you see people in movies dying from something like a toaster or a radio falling in the tub... if you at least make it so that one needs an extension cord to make it happen, the you increase the likelihood of fingerprints being found to prove whether murder or suicide
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That should even make Barney Fife suspicious :)
 
but not many people die in bicycle accidents yet we are now required helmets in many areas because of a few deaths... most arc faults are from installation damage of nm b cables or from improper tightening at outlets and are not detectable by the arc fault breakers yet we have requirements for arc fault breakers... so why not go UK style and move the plugs out of the bathrooms... instead of requiring one within a few feet of a sink? and no distance from a crapper or a tub as long as it is not directly above the water?
 
Adamjamma said:
but not many people die in bicycle accidents yet we are now required helmets in many areas because of a few deaths... most arc faults are from installation damage of nm b cables or from improper tightening at outlets and are not detectable by the arc fault breakers yet we have requirements for arc fault breakers... so why not go UK style and move the plugs out of the bathrooms... instead of requiring one within a few feet of a sink? and no distance from a crapper or a tub as long as it is not directly above the water?
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Aren't rules fun? Can't stand to live by them yet kind of necessary and always disagreement on what they should be.
 
Didn't see it mentioned, but surely the outlets are GFCI protected?
 
Adamjamma said:
which is not understandable, given how many times you see people in movies dying from something like a toaster or a radio falling in the tub... if you at least make it so that one needs an extension cord to make it happen, the you increase the likelihood of fingerprints being found to prove whether murder or suicide
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Homicide by toaster in the tub has become such a problem a thirty day waiting period for the purchase of toasters has been mandated and finger prints are required to be taken at the time the toaster is picked up by the purchaser.
 
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