Q & A of the Day – Does this bathroom luminaire pullcord switch need RCD protection?

Question: I have to move an existing ceiling-mounted pullcord switch for a bathroom luminaire in a domestic premises approximately 150mm further away from the edge of a bath. Am I now required to install an RCD to this circuit as, at the moment, there is no RCD protection to the lighting circuit?

Also, is the area above a bath, (therefore above Zone 1) suitable for mounting a luminaire rated for Zone 2, (or indeed suitable for mounting 'Outside Zones') if it is mounted and does not extend downwards into the area that is 2.25m from the floor?

All diagrams that I have looked at appear to show that anything mounted above 2.25m from the floor (not the bottom of the bath), is classed as 'Outside Zones'.

Answer: Technically, you are required to fit an RCD for the switch alteration.

If the luminaire is above 2.25m, it is outside the zones and, therefore, you could fit a luminaire that was rated for Zone 2.

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