should have wire 110v  circuit with  an earth leakage protection device, tripping current 30mA  or less, otherwise power service provider will not be allowed

AJJewsbury said:

Usually yes, I'd expect the shaver socket to be OK directly on the socket circuit, but the light will probably need fusing down (typically a 3A fuse in a fuse connection unit)

Agreed. The shaver socket should specify the upstream protective device. Both could be supplied by the same FCU.

mapj1 said:

Realise also that not all shaver sockets are created equal and the kind needed in a bathroom needs an isolation transformer to meet the UK regs.

Isn't the point of UK shaver sockets that they have an isolating transformer built in, which was what we had long before RCDs?

Chris Pearson said:

Isn't the point of UK shaver sockets that they have an isolating transformer built in, which was what we had long before RCDs?

The "bathroom" type of sockets, yes indeed. There also exists a "bedroom" type though - without an isolating transformer (usually single gang size and with only  230V output) - e.g.the old MK K700 WHI

   - Andy.

Also  there are mirror cabinets which look like and are sold as bathroom cabinets made for use in countries without this requirement, that  do not include this isolation. I've got  a rather nice 'Allibert' model like this at home - it allows continental relatives to use their favourite hair tongs or whatever on a 2 pin plug without things going 'phut' at a key moment. But it would never pass a BS7671 EICR, and as such is installed to the VDE standard of the day instead (don't ask!).

The problem may arise when folk order from abroad off the internet and do not always appreciate that in the UK they adopt the legal responsibilities/liabilities  of an importer when they do so, to make sure it meets UK requirements, and a reputable sparks whose scheme only permits him/her to work to BS7671 may be unable to install it despite the CE mark.

Mike.

Oddly enough, if you were actually based in Sri Lanka, the mains there is 220-240V and the old round 3 pin UK style sockets and 13A square pin sockets are common.  The only high population places still using 110V are Japan, Canada and the US, the latter tends to dominate the available literature, making it appear that 110V is more common than it really is. Northern Brazil is a bit mixed as are parts of the middle east . This map helps illustrate.


Mike

The US actually uses 120V (and either 240V or 208V).  Increasing it from 110V to 115V and then to 120V allowed them to push a few more watts down the wires for the same current.

You are right of course, and strictly Japan is more like 100V, but I was more concerned about the voltage doubling than the 10% tolerances. I'm always surprised how little the USA use 3 phase, in anything but a large factory unit it seems the best you can get is what we would consider to be split phase. That and some weird 'odd-leg' arrangements and transformers in places where on 400V you would not need to bother. 
Electricians United by a common set of physical laws but separated by widely different implementation.

Mike.

Yes, but the site does make it clear, "Not Suitable for installation in bathrooms or washrooms".

I have a bathroom type in my dressing room. With its enclosure it looks like a brick stuck to the wall. :-(

Not that I need it - I haven't shaved since the first Gulf War, when there was a gas threat!

I use the shaver socket in my bathroom (combined with an over-mirror lamp, not as posh as Mike's) for my toothbrush.

So does a toothbrush charger (Class II) need to be protected in the same way as a shaver, or hair tongs, etc?

mapj1 said:

Northern Brazil is a bit mixed

Yes, but it is not safe to assume that all sockets in the south are 110 V. IIRC, as with BS 546 plugs, there are plugs with different ratings, so they may be bigger in the south than the north.

I am not quite sure how people who move about cope.

I am not quite sure how people who move about cope.

With a bag of adaptors and some small tools ;-) Oh and if you intend to move around into 110V land, everything you buy needs to be dual voltage, either automatically or manually switched .

Brazil is an example of how not to do it well,  as although there are 10A and 20A versions of the 'new' socket both are permitted and found on both voltages so you can quite easily plug things into the wrong system.
There it seems most folk have learnt to read the voltage ratings on things, and if they don't, then the 'rebobiner'- the motor rewind and transformer sales outfits, are kept busy on the borders where the 2 systems meet. Actually it is the south (more German and Italian speaking settlers I guess )  who mostly use 230 ish, and the bit nearer the USA (well really from about Sao Paulo and heading north) who are more likely to be 110. However Brazil is a happy-go-lucky sort of place, and electricity is quite a long way down the list of unsolved problems .
Mike.

Let's not forget that Brasil is the world's 5th biggest country.

Some of us remember when UK televisions had settings for different voltages, and even DC.

Let's not forget that Brasil is the world's 5th biggest country.

Some of us remember when UK televisions had settings for different voltages, and even DC.