Wiring in the bathhouse: basic requirements, installation process and analysis of basic errors

A modern bathhouse is a complex and functional system that requires electricity. The steam room is often equipped with an electric heater, underfloor heating system, pump station and other devices. Steam is an excellent conductor of electricity. Accordingly, sockets can be placed exclusively in technical rooms that are protected from moisture. Only in such places can condensation get into the conductive elements.

General Wiring Provisions

Electric wiring in the steam room is performed according to certain rules. There are requirements for PUE, which were developed for buildings with high humidity. The basic rules are as follows:

• all fittings should be located in the pre-bathing room or recreation area;
• Do not place sockets in the washing and steam rooms;
• it is not allowed to place a current-carrying route in metal tubes;
• lampshades for lighting must be airtight;
  

  In the bath you need to install tight lamps, and it is forbidden to conduct the cable in metal pipes

• electrical wiring cannot be performed on the stove;
• for the premises should be protected from lightning;
• if the bath is made of wood, then under the pipes you need to lay plates of sheet asbestos;
• if the wiring is in the middle of combustible elements, then the plates must be placed both under the wire and above it.

If there is no experience, it is recommended to invite a qualified specialist to help carry out all the calculations and install the necessary devices. If this is not possible, you can figure out all the points yourself, but it is important to study all the nuances. The specialist should give an approximate plan for the location of sockets, lighting fixtures and switches. It will be necessary to pre-calculate the total power of the devices - this will allow the electrician to select the required section for the power cable.

Electricity will be supplied to the steam room from the main distribution panel with a separate grounding circuit. Posting takes place where it will be least visible.The minimum distance from radiators and tubes is 1.5 m. It is not allowed to carry out wiring in the extreme parts of the room or opposite the entrance. The following rules apply:

• supply voltage is carried out through RCD and AB;
• in the same way, a step-down transformer is used, which will be used to illuminate the steam room and the washing room;
• It is recommended to use a cable VVGNG-LS 3x2.5 mm, which is made of copper and has a special sheath;
• the shield, the main device for switching off and distribution boxes are mounted in the dressing room;
• to stretch the wire through the wall in the bath, you will need to drill recesses in the central part of the log and insert a steel tube there;
• wiring can be metal, corrugated or plastic;
• It is recommended to make the wiring open and go through the attic;
• the bonding of wires should be terminal;
• twisting of wires is not allowed;
• the braid of wires should not be vinyl or rubber.
  

  The distribution board must be installed in the dressing room, and the wires should be routed through automatic machines or terminal connectors

In most cases, open wiring is performed. It takes place in special cable channels under the ceiling. In a steam room, a heat-resistant wire will need to be passed through the partition between the washing and the steam room through a steel sleeve. After that, he should get into the lighting device, which is located at the place where the wire exits the partition.

It is recommended to use corrugated wire of mark H07RN-F.

You may also find useful material about installing electrical wiring in a wooden house:https://aquatech.tomathouse.com/en/ehlektrosnabzhenie/provodka-v-derevyannom-dome.html.

Video: which cable should be used for wiring in the bath

How to do DIY wiring

Before performing wiring, you will need to draw up a steam room electrical circuit. The cable is laid horizontally or vertically. It must not be bent or twisted.

How to make a diagram of the electrical wiring in the steam room

On the wiring diagram in the steam room, the following elements are usually indicated:

1. The location of the input cable.
2. Grounding cable.
3. The main circuit breaker that powers off the entire building.
4. Devices for emergency disconnection during current leakage (RCD).
5. Zero tire.
6. A set of devices for back-off lighting structures and sockets.
7. Automatic machine for the furnace zero tire.
8. Three-phase device for automatic shutdown of the furnace.
   

   Before starting installation, it is necessary to draw up a wiring diagram on which to designate all its main elements

By this principle, you can create a diagram yourself, you only need to note all the details and their exact location. It is also advisable to indicate the markings and ratings of all devices used.

Installation will be more convenient if the marking and ratings of the cable and automatic shutdown devices are applied to the circuit

How to calculate the required section

It will be necessary to correctly calculate the cross-section of the cores, so that in the future the wiring in the steam room could withstand maximum loads.

The calculation technology will be considered by example. Assume that:

• in the steam room there are 5 lighting fixtures of 100 W each, a stove-heater, a washing machine and an electric heater;
• the average power of the stove is 4 kW, washing machines - 2 kW;
• electric heater consumes 2 kW.

As a result, we get 8.5 kW of usable power from all electrical devices. To this indicator, a reserve power reserve of 20% should be added. The result is 10.2 kW.

To determine the current value by which it will be possible to select the required cross-section, it will be necessary to divide the total power by the mains voltage: 10200/220 = 46 A. The cable cross-sectional area is selected according to a special table.

Table: cross section of a copper cable depending on the current strength (at a voltage of 220 V)

Accordingly, for the room considered here, an electric cable with a cross section of 6 mm² is suitable.

If a single-phase connection is made, this wiring can withstand a power of approximately 14 kW. If you plan to make a three-phase connection, the power indicator will increase to 42 kW. For an ordinary steam room, such power will be enough.

By analogy, the device for backup shutdown is calculated. However, in this case, it will be necessary to use the power of not all structures, but the desired circuit. For example, it can be lighting devices or a stove.

How to choose fittings for wiring

It is important to choose the right fittings and other details that you will need to complete the wiring in the steam room.

For each room, a layout of sockets, switches, junction boxes and fixtures

For sockets and switches, it is recommended to use the VVGng or NYM power cable. The minimum cross-section for the outlet is 2.5 mm², for the switch - 1.5 mm². For sockets and devices for switching off, the level of protection must comply with existing requirements: the case must be sealed and additionally covered with a lid.

For wiring in the steam room, preference should be given to cables with cores made of copper, since they are capable of transmitting large currents. In addition, they are less susceptible to mechanical damage.

It is recommended to buy materials with a small margin, as in some cases defective products are found. In addition, one cannot exclude the possibility of errors in the calculations made at the initial stage.

You can read more about the choice of wires for electrical wiring in our next material:https://aquatech.tomathouse.com/en/ehlektrosnabzhenie/kakoy-provod-ispolzovat-dlya-provodki-v-dome.html.

Video: DIY wiring in the bath

Wiring Precautions

1. All devices and panels should be located in a separate room, which is reliably protected from moisture. In conditions of excessive humidity, structures can fail and rust in a short time. This also applies to plastic devices - there are metal elements inside the structures. Do not worry about modern models of showers with built-in water heating. The manufacturer cares about security, so such devices can be placed in the washing.
2. The body of the lighting fixtures should be aluminum, and the shade should be glass. It is recommended to mount them on the walls, since steam leaves the ceiling, as a result of which an elevated temperature is established there, which is unacceptable for such devices.
3. The transformer device to which the supply voltage will be conducted must be rated at 220 V. It must be installed in a dry place. Only 12 V is possible through the wall. If 36 V bulbs are mounted, then the permissible voltage will be 42 V.
   

   In the steam room, it is recommended to install lamps at 12 V, and the power supplies for them should be placed behind the wall, in other rooms

4. If you want to install in a steam room washing machine, then do not forget that it should be placed in a dry room. You will need to make a separate cable for the electric heater.
5. Around the steam room should lay an earthing circuit. A circuit breaker or an RCD must be mounted in the shield. Devices must be located in a container that is protected from moisture.
6. If there is a need for mounting sensors to an electric heater, you should be aware that they must be low-voltage and located at a distance of 1 m from the floor base. The control panel is mounted outside the steam room. The heater is mounted without sockets.
7. In the shield it is recommended to mark all elements with a marker.

Video: types of lamps for the bath

Installation methods for wiring in the steam room

First of all, the electrical wiring must be brought from the shield on the street to the structure in the bathhouse. Cable routing from the street can be done by air or underground. To determine the appropriate method, you should learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

1. The air laying method is a budget option, but it is short-lived. This is due to the use of a conductor fixed in the air. The air line quite often breaks off due to strong wind or mechanical damage.
   

   The cable must be laid at a height of at least 6 meters, and with a large length of the route, additional supports must be made

2. The underground laying method is more time consuming and expensive. This is due to the cost of the protected cable. However, this wiring is reliable and has a longer service life.
   

   Laying the cable underground is considered a more reliable and durable way of supplying voltage to the bath

How to install an electrical panel

The entire power system of the steam room is fed from the input shield. You will need to choose the most suitable place for the installation of the structure. It is important to adhere to the following rules:

1. The switchboard must always be accessible.
2. The place should be regularly ventilated.
3. It is not allowed to place the shield in a fire hazardous area.
4. The device should be placed in a room with lighting.

Most often, the shield is mounted in a recreation area. It consists of a design for automatic shutdown, incoming and outgoing machines. The upper part of the device should be located at a distance of 1.5–2 m from the floor.

If the wiring is single-phase, you will need to use a three-core cable for power.

1. The color of the phase should be gray. The core is located on the upper terminal of the incoming machine. From the lower terminal, the phase with jumpers must be moved to the upper terminals of the outgoing devices.
2. The zero core should be brought immediately to the zero block.
3. The grounding conductor is also directly led to the appropriate block or to the fixed screw of the shield.
4. Phase conductors of the electric cable extending to the load should be connected to the lower contacts of the corresponding machines.
   

   Single-phase connection is made by a three-core input cable

The wires for entering and releasing to the load must be carefully laid in the electrical panel, and then removed from it through tubes with corrugation. RCDs and circuit breakers should be installed taking into account the level of load on the power cable. It is important to ensure that the cores in the clamps of the terminals are securely fixed, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid overheating of the site due to poor fixation.

The sequence of actions for wiring in different ways

1. If you chose the air method of wiring, the first thing you will need to install fasteners on the site. Most often, steel plates are used, which are pulled together by studs on both sides. Rings should be welded to them so that the cable can be suspended. The clamp is tensioned to reinforce and properly distribute the load level.
   

   Copper cables are mounted on a cable, which is stretched using special tensioners

2. In the next step, on the one hand, the cable must be fixed with the appropriate clamping devices. On the reverse side, the cable must be tightened and secured with clutches. The minimum suspension height above the pedestrian area is 2.8 m.
3. After fastening the cable, you can start tying the power cable with a bandage. Clamps made of plastic, steel strips or knitting wire are allowed.
   

   To fix the cable, you can use ordinary plastic ties

If an underground wiring method is selected, the sequence of actions will be as follows:

1. The first step is to dig a pit with a minimum depth of 0.7 m, at the bottom of which sand is poured with a layer of about 10 cm.
2. Then wires are laid and covered with a thin layer of sand. The cable should be placed in a trench undulating, tension should be excluded.
   

   The cable is laid in a trench with a depth of at least 70 cm, at the bottom of which sand is poured

3. The cable is inserted into the building through a steel sleeve. It is needed to protect the wire when shrinking a wall of wood.
   

   The power cable must be inserted into the building through metal sleeves

4. The power cable should be freed from the protective layer before entering the switchboard.
5. The cores of the cable are connected to the machine.
6. Grounding and lightning protection are in progress.
   

   If there is no ground loop on the site, it can be done by burying the triangular metal structure next to the structure

Next is the installation of electrical wiring in all rooms. When connecting wires to sockets, it is worth remembering that the cores are started at the bottom. When the cable is routed through all rooms and connected to the fittings, you will need to connect the wiring to the switches.

The cable to each outlet must be routed from below.

When wiring the power cable from the shield, the following points should be considered:

1. The wiring of the electrical cable to each point must be made in an inextricable piece.
2. If the walls are made of stone or brick, then the wiring may be hidden. In this case, it can be masked with a layer of dry mixture.
3. From junction boxes, you can lay the cable exclusively at right angles.
4. Wires should be placed in an inconspicuous place.
5. Wire cores are connected using terminal clamps. The use of twists is strictly prohibited.

After completing the work, it is recommended to call the wizard to verify the connections. The smallest errors in the future can lead to significant problems. Checking the wiring diagram in the bath is inexpensive.

Read about the principles of installing sockets and switches in our next article:https://aquatech.tomathouse.com/en/ehlektrosnabzhenie/ustanovka-rozetok-i-vyiklyuchateley.html.

The main mistakes that are made when installing wiring in the bath

The wiring must be at least 0.8 m from the chimney structure and the heater. In the steam room and shower room, installation of lighting devices with a protection class of IP44 and higher is allowed. An excellent option is the use of 12 V halogen lamps. The cable should be single-core, heat-resistant and withstand heat up to 180 ° C. The insulation must be silicone.

It is necessary to fasten the cable in steps of at least 40 cm, changing the direction of the laying should be carried out smoothly, without fractures

In most cases, inexperienced masters make the following mistakes when wiring devices:

1. Installation of hidden wiring on combustible bases in plastic tubes. It is worth knowing that this is strictly prohibited.
2. Installation of electrical wiring in a metal sleeve. This also cannot be done.
3. Installation of lighting in the upper part. For safety reasons, lighting is recommended at the bottom, next to the cool floor. Allowed the use of spotlights, which can be placed under the shelf. This will make it possible to make a mysterious and non-standard lighting design. It is mandatory to use a heat-resistant wire in a metal tube.

The electrical wiring for the steam room must be checked every 4 years. You should know that aluminum wiring has a service life of 15 years. Copper wiring will last 20 years. After this period, the wiring should be replaced.

In the bath, in most cases low voltage is used, therefore it is recommended to use step-down transformers. They should be placed outside the steam room. Sockets can be installed exclusively on the walls in the dressing room or lounge. They should be placed at a height of 95 cm. It is recommended that devices with protective caps be used.

To connect the stove, you will need wires that can withstand the elevated temperature and considerable power consumption. For this task, wiring in the cable channel is suitable. PMTK wires can be routed to a distribution box, which is located outside of high humidity. From the box to the electrical panel, it will be possible to introduce a VVG cable with a section of 3x2.5 mm.

It is quite difficult to mount the wiring in the bath yourself. However, if there is a great desire, then to do it realistically and without involving third-party specialists. The only thing that may require the help of the masters is a charting. If you understand all the nuances, then everything can be done safer and better than hiring inexperienced craftsmen who impersonate specialists.