Safe to use speaker control in a bathroom?

[davepuma]

Hi,

I'm moving my bedroom kit inside the wardrobe, fitting new speakers etc. I was planning on using an integrated amp with A/B speaker output so I can drive both the bedroom and Kef in-ceiling speakers in the bathroom. I was just wondering if I can use one of these (B-Tech BT936 speaker volume control) in the bathroom? I don't want to fall foul of some building regs. etc. I suppose I could fit it outside if it can't be used.

[ched]

First I am not a qualified electrician, but I was trained by MoD as an electronic engineer.

Loud speaker cables are low voltage sos not that dangerous. BUT you are in a high moisture content room. Moisture conducts electricity!! And thus a speaker volume control that is not rated corrrectly could cause DEATH by electrocution!!!!
When I say rated I mean against moisture. There is a standard for this, its the IP (ingress protection) scale. You can find details here: http://www.youpoc.net/ingress-protection-rating
I would suggest using a device that has an IP44 or above rating.

I dont know if a speaker volume controller with an IP44 rating exists but that would be the safest option.

I do realise that all the above seems very much overkill but you wouldnt half be sorry if your speaker controller killed a loved one!!!

As for building regs for speakers in a bathroom I dont know, but I do know that ANY mains voltage work in a bathroom or kitchen for that matter a suitably qualified person is required.

[davepuma]

Cheers for the reply. I appreciate that as the speaker have a connection back to an amp, they are connected to the mains regardless of how they are connected (speaker cable). I will have a look for a suitable device, I have done a search for bathroom in the whole forum but not much turns up. Maybe I'll have to put up with controlling it elsewhere. I suppose I could fit an ir receiver plate in the wall and control it via remote. I don't really want to control anything else. I did plan initially in having a display on the wall but it was going to get rediculously expensive.

Cheers davepuma

[dunks517]

I have one of those speaker contollers in my bathoom, but admitedly it is around 3.5 metres away from the bath. I also have a normal switch in there and it passed muster by the Building Inspector when the house was built. The light switch was fitted by a qualified electrician and the volume control by myself.

[albriscoe]

Dave

you should be ok mate but why not ask Keene themselves just to make sure

Allan

[davepuma]

Keene said it's not suitable for bathroom use. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

[Pupster01]

have a word with Radio spares ( http://uk.rs-online.com/web/ ) they sell isolation transformers putting one of these in the speaker lines should give you separation/osolation which would allow you to use the system you mention however might be worth getting 2 of them incase one get damaged by moisture.