Water and electricity don’t mix. That makes it challenging to find the right spot for power points, lights and other electrical fittings in the bathroom.
To keep you safe, all electrical work in your bathroom must comply with AS 3000. AS 3000 lays out standards for where, how and which types of electrical fittings can be installed in wet areas.
In this article, we provide diagrams showing bathroom electrical zones for lighting, power points and switches.
Bathroom Electrical Zones in Australia
Switches, power points and light fittings must be installed by a licensed electrician. They can be placed a safe distance away from wet zones in bathrooms, laundries and kitchen areas.
These wet areas are divided into 4 zones:
Zone 0
Zone 0 is the interior area of a bath or shower base.
For baths, this is measured at the internal rim of the bath. For showers, the shower base can either be defined as a raised hob or a depression in the floor.
See Figure 2.2 and 3.2 for details.
Design a Safe and Compliant Bathroom
Renovating your bathroom? Need to add a new power point near the bathroom sink? Make sure you check with Dawson Electric first!
If you’re building a new home, renovating your bathroom or simply need a new power point installed, contact Dawson Electric for a quote!
Zone 1
Zone 1 is the area that extends upwards towards the ceiling from the rim of a bathtub or the shower base (Zone 0). Zone 1 extends from the floor of the shower or bath to 2.5m above the floor.
See Figures 2.1 and 3.1 for details.
Zone 1 also extends in a 1.2m radius from the shower head plumbing connection. You can reduce the 1.2m requirement to 0.6m by installing a fixed shower screen.
See Figures 2.2 and 3.2 for details.
Zone 2
Zone 2 is the area that extends 0.6m horizontally and 2.25 vertically above the floor from Zone 1.
See Figure 2.1 for details.
Zone 3
Zone 3 is any area outside Zone 0, 1 and 2. Zone 3 is measured 2.4m horizontally, and 2.5m vertically.
See Figures 2.2-3.2 for details.
Dylan Dawson, Owner of Dawson Electrical
"People often overlook the placement of GPOs and switches in bathrooms, but their proper position is crucial for ensuring the safety of ourselves and our families."
Electrical Zones Around Sinks
Electrical zones differ slightly around sinks, basins and other permanent water containers. These zones are determined by how much water the sink can hold:
Zone 0
Zone 0 is the area inside the rim of the sink or basin.
See Figure 1.1 and 1.2 for details.
Zone 2
Zone 2 is the area surrounding the sink or basin.
See Figure 1.1 and 1.2 for details.
Fig 1.2 - Electrical zones surrounding a sink with a capacity <40L
Fig 1.2 - Electrical zones surrounding a sink with a capacity <40L
Diagrams of Bathroom Electrical Zones
Fair Trading NSW has provided the following diagrams showing how electrical zones are applied to baths and showers:
Fig 2.1 - Electrical zones surrounding a bath (vertical)
Fig 2.2 - Electrical zones surrounding a bath (birdseye)
Fig 3.1 - Electrical zones surrounding a shower with a hinged door (vertical)
Fig 3.2 - Electrical zones surrounding a shower with a hinged door (birdseye)
Products We Recommend for Bathrooms and Wet Areas
People often overlook the placement of power points and switches in bathrooms. But their proper position is crucial for ensuring the safety of ourselves and our families.
We typically recommend power outlets and switches made by Clipsal. Clipsal produces a variety of electrical equipment with IP ratings that are suited to bathrooms and other wet areas.
Safety Switches in Bathroom Electrical Zones
Most power outlets and switches installed in the bathroom, laundry, kitchen or another wet area need to be protected by a safety switch (also known as an RCD). A safety switch protects against electrocution, which is especially important in wet zones.
Safety switches are a requirement for most of the circuits in your home under AS 3000. If you are renovating your bathroom or adding new electrical fittings, your electrician may need to install or update your RCDs to ensure your home is compliant.
Last Updated on October 31, 2024
Owner
Dylan Dawson is the co-owner of Dawson Electric, a trusted Brisbane electrical company founded in 2007. With more than 15 years of experience, Dylan specialises in residential and commercial electrical services. He is passionate about educating clients on electrical systems, safety protocols, and energy-saving solutions.