Switches and sockets in wet areas

This advisory note outlines common non-compliances found by Building Commission NSW when inspecting electrical installations. It provides guidance to help licensed electricians and contractors carry out safe and compliant installations.

Listen

On this page

Note	2/2021
Last updated	August 2025
For	Licensees / Contractors / the Electrical Industry
Issued by	Building Commission NSW – Electrical Inspections Team
Scope	Applies to all of NSW

Purpose

The purpose of this advisory note is to inform industry of some common noncompliances found when Building Commission NSW inspectors conduct inspections of electrical installations.

Reference

AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules

What is the non-compliance?

Switches and socket outlets installed within wet (Zone 2) areas in bathrooms, laundries and kitchens.

Clearances to exclude switches and socket-outlets from the wet (Zone 2) areas are not calculated accurately. Switches within the wet (Zone 2) area do not have a minimum degree of protection of IPX4.

How to comply

As per the requirements of AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules:

Table 6.1 outlines requirements where switches and socket-outlets may be permitted for installation.

Table 6.1: Selection and installation of electrical equipment for baths, showers and other fixed water containers

Equipment	Zone 0	Zone 1	Zone 2	Zone 3
Clause 6.2.4.2 - socket outlets	Not permitted	Not permitted	(a) A shaver outlet; or (b) RCD-protected and in a cupboard (no specific IP rating).	(a) <0.3 m not permitted (b) ≥0.3 m no IP rating but shall have: RCD protection; or separated supply; or SELV or PELV supply.
Clause 6.2.4.3 - switches / accessories	Not permitted	Not permitted	< 0.3 m not permitted ≥ 0.3 m IPX4	< 0.3 m not permitted ≥ 0.3 m - no IP rating

Equipment

Zone 0

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Clause 6.2.4.2 - socket outlets

Not permitted

(a) A shaver outlet; or

(b) RCD-protected and in a cupboard (no specific IP rating).

(a) <0.3 m not permitted

(b) ≥0.3 m no IP rating but shall have:

RCD protection; or
separated supply; or
SELV or PELV supply.

Clause 6.2.4.3 - switches / accessories

Not permitted

< 0.3 m not permitted
≥ 0.3 m IPX4

< 0.3 m not permitted
≥ 0.3 m - no IP rating

Fig 6.13 and 6.14 below outlines Zone 2 clearances for water containers that have a capacity of < 40L and > 40L.

Isometric sketch of a twin sink in a corner, marking electrical safety zones: Zone 0 inside the basins; Zone 2 is a 150 mm band on walls/floor, rising 400 mm above water.

Corner bathtub in a room, with safety zones marked: Zone 0 inside the tub; Zone 2 forms a 0.5 m band on walls and floor, rising 1 m above the water.

Fig 6.8 and 6.11 below outline Zone 2 clearance for a shower with a barrier and hinged door.

Plan view of a corner shower with a hinged door, showing electrical zones: Zone 0 in the tray, Zone 1 directly above, Zone 2 as a 0.6 m semicircle outside the door, and Zone 3 extending to a 2.4 m radius beyond.

Side elevation of a fixed-shower stall: Zone 1 inside the stall up to 2.25 m high; Zone 2 a 0.6 m-wide band beside the barrier; Zone 3 the next 2.4 m of floor area.

Fig 6.1 and 6.2 below outline Zone 2 areas for baths.

Plan of a corner bath: Zone 0 inside the tub, Zone 1 directly above, Zone 2 a 0.6 m band on floor/walls, Zone 3 reaching another 2.4 m outwards.

Side elevation of a corner bath: Zone 0 inside the tub; Zone 1 directly above; Zone 2 a 0.6 m‐wide strip beside the bath up to 2.25 m high; Zone 3 extends another 2.4 m across the floor.

What we are finding

On numerous inspections, switches and socket-outlets are located within the restricted zones created by sinks, showers, baths and laundry tubs and switches do not have the required minimum degree of protection of IPX4. Common non-compliances are illustrated in the following photos.

A hand holding a tape measure from the bath edge to the tiled wall, showing the horizontal clearance to a nearby towel rail bracket and light switch.

Example 1

Consider excluding the switch from the Zone 2 area by having a clearance of 0.6m from the bath (see Figure 6.1 AS/NZS 3000:2018) or the switch to be installed with a minimum degree of protection of IPX4.

Close-up of a wall light switch positioned above the bath rim, with a tape measure stretched from the bath edge across the gap.

Example 2

Consider excluding the switch from the Zone 2 area by having a clearance of 0.15m from the side of the basin and a clearance 0.4m from above the basin (see Figure 6.13 AS/NZS 3000:2018) or the switch to be installed with a minimum degree of protection of IPX4.

Tape measure stretched from a wall light switch to the edge of a glass shower door, showing the horizontal clearance.

Example 3

Consider excluding the switch from the Zone 2 area by having a clearance of 0.6m from the shower screen entry (see Figure 6.8 AS/NZS 3000:2018) or the switch to be installed with a minimum degree of protection of IPX4.

Tape measure held vertically from vanity basin edge up to a wall power outlet, showing the clearance height.

Example 4

Consider excluding the socket-outlet from the Zone 2 area by having a clearance of 0.15m from the side of the basin and a clearance 0.4m from above the basin (see Figure 6.13 AS/NZS 3000:2018).

Contact Electrical Compliance Team

This advisory note has been approved for issue by the Electrical Compliance Team.

Information contained within this document is current at the time it was last updated and refers to codes and standards current at the time of writing.

Building Commission NSW disclaims any liability (including for negligence) to any person in respect of anything done, or not done, by that person in whole or partial reliance on any of the information in this advisory note.

For more information, please email: electricalcompliance@customerservice.nsw.gov.au

Top