Light switch installed at bath tub

[SiddMartin]

People flip their disposal switch on and off with sloppy wet dishwater hands too.

I must say, beautiful comparison

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

standing in a tub full of water and flipping a light or fan switch on or off just can be a safey combination. But perhaps I am wrong

Sometimes we have a hard time wrapping our brains around certain issues.
Think about a switch located outside where it may be pouring rain, and that switch is usually installed in a metallic enclosure.

A plastic switch with a plastic cover provides very little surface area to be shocked from.

Think about the motor below your hydromassage tub.

 

[76nemo]

I would say a different approach and attitude to the professionals on this site would help. There are alot of individuals here on this forum way MORE than willing to help you. Being sarcastic won't get you far.

 

[dbuckley]

I'm not a fan of electricity near bathtubs either

I'd like to post a picture credit, but I've lost it...

 

[mdshunk]

I'm not a fan of electricity near bathtubs either

I'd like to post a picture credit, but I've lost it...

In the case of that vintage picture, that was a genuine hazard. A 2wire fixture could be shorted to the shell, and it's wouldn't matter under normal circumstances. In a regular room, you'd be a "bird on a wire" and wouldn't get shocked. Standing in a tub, served with grounded pipework, then you get nailed.

 

[480sparky]

Then I guess we need to ban electric water heaters, fountains, whirlpools, dishwashers, fridges with ice makers, washing machines, sump pumps, hot tubs, well pumps, drinking fountains, therapeudic spas, fire pumps......

 

[mdshunk]

Then I guess we need to ban electric water heaters, fountains, whirlpools, dishwashers, fridges with ice makers, washing machines, sump pumps, hot tubs, well pumps, drinking fountains, therapeudic spas, fire pumps......

No... these are all examples of grounded equipment.

 

[480sparky]

No... these are all examples of grounded equipment.

True, but the "Electricity and water don't mix" attitude goes back to the late 1800s. It's difficult to overcome sometimes. I've had people ask me to move the receps from under their windows because they're afraid it might rain in on them.

 

[mdshunk]

I've had people ask me to move the receps from under their windows because they're afraid it might rain in on them.

:grin: I've had that same request. Matter of fact, there's a military college here where it's flatly not permitted in barracks housing to put a receptacle under the window. That's sort of a bummer, since I prefer to put receptacles under windows whenever I can in homes that aren't being constructed with central air. Gives a close place to plug in a window a/c or window fan.

That said, the caption in the vintage picture posted above, as it relates to that particular illustration, has merit.

 

[charlie b]

standing in a tub full of water and flipping a light or fan switch on or off just can’t be a safe combination. But perhaps I am wrong

With respect, you are wrong.

If the switch itself is dry, and if the wall surrounding the switch is dry, it would not matter that your feet are wet. There is no way for electricity to jump out of the box that houses the switch, and find its way to the front surface of the switch plate or to the switch handle.

That is the point that Marc has been trying to make. If there were a shower head, then it could push water past the switch plate and directly onto the switch. That would create a shock hazard. But a switch that is located on a dry surface is well enough protected (i.e., by the plastic cover plate) to preclude a shock hazard.

Now that I have answered your question, I would like to echo the comment that politeness is the normal mode of behavior on this forum. We are all professionals, we are here to help each other, and none of us get paid for being here. It is all voluntary, and there is much to be learned.

 

[dbuckley]

If the switch itself is dry, and if the wall surrounding the switch is dry, it would not matter that your feet are wet. There is no way for electricity to jump out of the box that houses the switch, and find its way to the front surface of the switch plate or to the switch handle.

Although I don't disagree with that statement as far as it goes, I am far from convinced that if a wet hand is placed on a switch then soapy conductive water cannot flow from the hand, into the switch, and touch the contacts. This seems to me to be a possibility that cant be dismissed, and thus it must be a valid concern.

 

[haskindm]

Okay..this is a jetted tub with now shower. The light,and exhuast fan switch are directly above the tube fixtures. So, are you saying this is safe and allowed to be standing in a tub full of water and be able to turn a light switch and fan on or off. Sounds extremely unsafe. Do you have a code reference?

On what do you base this being unsafe? What do you want us to say? Perhaps you would be happier if we say "Yes this is an extremely unsafe situation, even though it is acceptable according to the NEC. Anyone within a mile of this installation will surely face certain death"!

Actually, this myth about water and electricity "not mixing" is getting ridiculous. The fact is that we use electricity and water together all of the time as others have mentioned. Properly installed there is no problem.

 

[infinity]

perhaps you didnt read well. I stated it is "over the tub" and a "light switch". Perhaps that is not enough information for you. I thought this might be a helpful site. Perhaps not.

Rob, I've read through the response and must say that your comment is inflammatory and unnecessary. Take a look at stickboy's graphic. If it's the white switch location it's code compliant, red switch violation of 404.4. Your opinion as to whether or not this is a smart location for a switch does not matter. The code permits switches that are outside of the shower, could be 4' or .0004".

 

[mivey]

404.9(B) Exception

404.9(B) Exception

Have you guys ever pondered the following?:

I can't see where it would come up in a new installation but, the 404.9(B) exception allows for a non-conducting cover OR GFCI solution. Are you concerned about the yoke (and thus the plate screws) having the potential to be energized?

As for me, I think the GFCI solution would be a better route, not just an alternative route.

 

[76nemo]

Not sure exactly how 404.9 has anything to do with this type of location. Mind you, as I said before, I'm a maintenance guy. It sounds like you are saying a device in that type of location does NOT have to be GFCI protected Seriously???????? I have the '05 in front of me, can you give me a reference that states it does NOT have to be GFCI protected? If that type of location is permitted without ground fault protection, I AM FLOORED!!!!

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It sounds like you are saying a device in that type of location does NOT have to be GFCI protected Seriously???????? I have the '05 in front of me, can you give me a reference that states it does NOT have to be GFCI protected? If that type of location is permitted without ground fault protection, I AM FLOORED!!!!

Nemo-- we are talking switches not receptacles here-- no GFCI needed. Read art 210.8 for the requirements for GFCI.

 

[76nemo]

Nemo-- we are talking switches not receptacles here-- no GFCI needed. Read art 210.8 for the requirements for GFCI.

WOW, hard to believe. Yeah, I just read it. Guess there is no ungrounded conductors in a switch box

I can't get over that. Like I said,....FLOORED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cowboyjwc]

If the tub was cast iron it wouldn't need to be full of water to be dangerous. It's only a dangerous condition if, as someone said, the switch gets full of water.

I agree with Marc, how many women are doing the dishes in a cast iron or stainless steel sink and turning on the disposal at the same time?

 

[infinity]

I have the '05 in front of me, can you give me a reference that states it does NOT have to be GFCI protected? If that type of location is permitted without ground fault protection, I AM FLOORED!!!!

You won't find an article that says it's permitted and you won't find one that says GFCI protection is required for switches adjacent to showers and tubs either.

 

[JohnJ0906]

I agree with Marc, how many women are doing the dishes in a cast iron or stainless steel sink and turning on the disposal at the same time?

John, are saying that only women will get shocked, or only women do dishes?


I do my own dishes, and have never been shocked from the disposal switch when my hands are wet.