Electrical appliances in the bathroom

Special regulations apply to electrical installations in bathrooms. These include the installation of a residual current device (RCD) with a rated residual current of no more than 30 mA or an RCD (residual current protective device), also known as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). These protective devices prevent dangerously high residual currents and interrupt the circuit as soon as an electrical appliance makes contact between phase and earth potential, for example, and a residual current is detected. Some residual current devices have a response time of less than 40 milliseconds. However, the safest thing to do – and we strongly advise this – is to keep electrical and electronic appliances away from the shower and bathtub. Even an RCD integrated into the hairdryer cannot ensure 100 percent carefree handling of electrical current in the bathroom.

It is clear that we need electricity in the bathroom. Nobody wants to do without a well-lit bathroom and sockets. There are so-called protected areas within the bathroom for electrical connections. These areas precisely define whether or which lights, sockets, switches and appliances may be used.

Area 0: No sockets or switches may be located in the interior of bathtubs, showers and shower trays under any circumstances. If you require lighting in this area, special lights for the shower and bath area with protection class IP X7 are prescribed. These are also protected against the ingress of liquids when immersed in water.

Area 1: Sockets and switches are also taboo in the interior of showers and bathtubs up to 225 cm high and in the exterior area of 60 cm around the shower cubicle or bathtub. However, permanently installed and permanently connected electrical appliances, such as a fan, may be used here. Lights in this area must have protection class IPX4 (protection against splashing water) and be operated with a safety extra-low voltage of up to AC 25 V or DC 60 V. Towel dryers in accordance with DIN EN 60335-2-43 (VDE 0700-43) are also possible. Area 1 ends at the edge of the bathtub, for example.

Area 2: This is adjacent to area 1 and is extended by 60 centimeters, e.g. around the bathtub. Lights with an IPX4 protection class may be installed here. Switches and sockets are still not permitted here!

Outside the areas: Outside areas 0, 1 and 2, there are no special restrictions with regard to installation devices or consumer appliances.

Due to the complex standards and safety regulations, we recommend leaving the installation to a qualified electrician in all cases. We also recommend checking the functionality of the residual current device or retrofitting it.

We strongly advise you not to take small devices such as tablets or cell phones into the bathtub. A luxurious solution to the problem would be a permanently installed TV in the bathroom. However, regulations apply: the TV must be waterproof and able to withstand high humidity and temperature fluctuations. It must also be declared by the manufacturer for use in area 1, for example. Use appliances that are labeled for use in bathrooms. Although many models are protected against splashing water, they cannot tolerate high humidity.

Plug-in power supply units, e.g. for charging smartphones, should also not be used in the bathroom without care, as these products (especially in the low-cost segment) are also likely to have excessively high voltages on the secondary side. These can lead to dangerous situations in combination with water. We strongly advise you never to take your smartphone into the bath while it is on charge!

VDE Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik e.V. and its affiliated companies (hereinafter each “VDE”) provide non-binding information on consumer protection topics. These publications are intended solely to raise general awareness of consumer protection in relation to electrotechnical products and issues. They expressly do not constitute professional or technical advice. The information is provided the best of one's knowledge and belief without having evaluated the actual conditions at a specific location or of a specific product.

While VDE makes every reasonable effort to ensure that the information is correct and complete, it cannot assume liability nor any warranty (neither explicitly nor implicitly) for the correctness, completeness or topicality of the content of the information provided.

The information may only be applied with the understanding that VDE cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage or loss of any kind. The use of the information provided does not release the user from the responsibility for his/her own actions and is therefore at his/her own risk.

Product-/Model-specific manufacturer specifications must be observed.