Electrical Equipment in Damp Areas

Overview Battery Installation Damp Areas Switchboard Clearances Exclusion Zones FAQs Disclaimer

The placement of electrical equipment in damp areas, such as around showers, sinks and basins, is governed by zones designating relative areas of risk.

Internal shower and basin or sink zones remain consistent with previous standards.
Clarification has been added for some typical shower door arrangements seen in current vehicle designs, for example shower doors hinged part way along a door.
New requirements are included for external showers on recreational vehicles.

See clause 4.12 for recreational vehicles, clause 3.10 for relocatable units.

Zone definitions – internal shower

Damp area colour key, zones 0, 1 and 2.

Refer clause 4.12.2.1. Diagrams can be found in Figure 4.7 of the standard, page 67.

Internal shower zones.

Zone 2 extends beyond a shower door if it is hinged at any place other than the corner of the shower cubicle.

Zones are limited by solid surfaces, for example walls and corner-hinged doors:

Zones limited by solid surfaces.

Zone definitions – other fixed water containers

In RV installations these are generally sinks and basins. The following requirements apply for a container with fixed water outlets and a capacity not exceeding 40L:

Zone 0 – interior of the water container
Zone 2 – extends 150mm from the internal rim of the water container, between floor and a height of 400mm above the rim
Note: there is no Zone 1 for this type of water container.

Refer clause 4.12.2.2. Diagrams can be found in Figure 4.8 of the standard, page 68.

Sink and basin zones.

If the bench-top protrusion is less than 150mm, Zone 2 extends over the lip of the bench and down to the floor.

Zone definitions – external shower

New requirements have been introduced for external showers.

Zone 1 – the area 600mm each side of the fixed plumbing connection, from the ground to the height of the vehicle.
The zone wraps around onto the adjacent surface of a recreational vehicle to a total linear distance of 600mm from the plumbing connection.

Refer clause 4.12.4. Diagrams can be found in Figures 4.9, 4.10 and 4.11 of the standard, pages 69 to 70.

External shower zone.

Damp areas – equipment selection

Once the zones have been identified, equipment that can be installed within each zone is determined from Table 4.3 of the standard, page 69:

Item	Zone 0	Zone 1	Zone 2
Power inlet socket	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted
Switchboards	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted
Power outlet socket	Not permitted	Not permitted	RCD protected; and in a cupboard
Switches and accessories	Not permitted	As per Zone 2	Not permitted <300mm from floor or ground. Above that: IPX4 rating
Lamps	IPX7 rating; and specifically for use; and ELV supply	IPX4 rating	IPX4 rating; or double or reinforced insulation (Class II); or ELV supply; or recessed in ceiling
Other electrical equipment	IPX7 rating; and specifically for use; and ELV supply	IPX4 rating	IPX4 rating; or double or reinforced insulation (Class II); or ELV supply; or recessed in ceiling
Power generation systems	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted