Shaver Sockets UK: Where Can You Install One in a Bathroom?
A shaver socket is the only kind of socket the UK wiring regulations allow close to a bath or shower, and even then it has to be the right type. A proper shaver supply unit can go outside the zones or in zone 2, as long as it is not in the path of direct spray. It cannot go in zone 0 or zone 1, and an ordinary 13 A socket is not allowed anywhere near it.
The short answer
Only a shaver supply unit to BS EN 61558-2-5 is allowed in a bathroom. It can go outside the zones, or in zone 2 where direct spray from the shower is unlikely. It is not allowed in zones 0 or 1. These units supply around 20 VA through an isolating transformer, which is enough for shavers and toothbrushes but not for hair dryers or straighteners. The circuit needs 30 mA RCD protection.
Zone 2 the closest a shaver supply unit can be to the bath or shower BS 7671 Reg 701.512.3
20 VA typical output of a bathroom shaver supply unit BS EN 61558-2-5 products
3 m minimum distance from zone 1 for a standard socket outlet BS 7671 Reg 701.512.3
30 mA RCD protection required for all circuits serving the room BS 7671 Reg 701.411.3.3
Regulation numbers refer to BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, the IET Wiring Regulations, Section 701 (locations containing a bath or shower). Part P references are to the Building Regulations for England. Sources are listed in full at the end.
Where a shaver socket can go
Regulation 701.512.3 keeps sockets and other accessories out of zones 0, 1 and 2, with two exceptions. One is SELV equipment with its source outside the zones. The other is a shaver supply unit complying with BS EN 61558-2-5, which is allowed in zone 2 where it is unlikely to be exposed to direct spray. Outside the zones, it can go anywhere that suits the room.
| Zone | Where it is | Shaver supply unit allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside the bath or shower tray itself | No |
| Zone 1 | Directly above the bath or shower tray, up to 2.25 m from the floor. For a shower without a tray, within 1.2 m of the shower head | No |
| Zone 2 | A further 0.6 m out from the edge of zone 1, up to 2.25 m high | Yes, out of spray |
| Outside the zones | The rest of the room, for example beside the basin or mirror | Yes |
Basins are not a zone. Older guidance treated the area around a wash basin as a zone of its own. Under the current regulations, the basin has no zone. What matters is the distance from the bath or shower, which is why a shaver unit above a basin is usually fine.
Shaver socket or shaver supply unit?
Not every two pin socket is a bathroom shaver socket. The term covers two different products, and only one of them belongs in a bathroom. The difference is the isolating transformer inside the unit.
| Product | What it is | Allowed in a bathroom? |
|---|---|---|
| Shaver supply unit to BS EN 61558-2-5 | Contains a safety isolating transformer, usually with a 115 V and 230 V output and a thermal cut out. Often labelled "shavers only" | Yes |
| Shaver socket outlet without a transformer | A two pin outlet wired directly to the mains. Sold for bedrooms and dressing areas | No |
| Standard 13 A socket | A normal BS 1363 socket outlet | Only 3 m from zone 1 |
| Mirror or cabinet with built in shaver point | Combined unit with lighting and a shaver outlet | If BS EN 61558-2-5 |
Check the standard on the product, not the shape of the faceplate. Shaver supply units and transformerless shaver outlets can look almost identical. Look for BS EN 61558-2-5 in the specification. If the product does not state it, do not install it in a bathroom.
What you can plug into it
A bathroom shaver supply unit is deliberately low power. The isolating transformer is typically rated at around 20 VA, so it is designed for electric shavers, beard trimmers and electric toothbrush chargers. Anything bigger trips the thermal cut out or simply will not run.
| Appliance | Works on a shaver supply unit? |
|---|---|
| Electric shaver or beard trimmer | Yes |
| Electric toothbrush charger | Yes |
| Hair dryer | No |
| Hair straighteners or curling tongs | No |
| Phone or laptop charger | Not intended |
Hair dryers need a different solution. A hair dryer in a UK bathroom is either a fixed, hard wired wall unit installed outside the zones, or it is used in another room. A standard socket would need to be at least 3 m from zone 1, which is rarely possible.
Do you need building control? The Part P angle
In England, adding a shaver supply unit is only notifiable when the work is inside the area the Building Regulations call a special location. A unit beside the basin may be outside it, while one close to the bath or shower usually is not.
A room containing a bath or shower, the space surrounding a bath tap or showerhead
IET, Part P frequently asked questions. The space runs to 2.25 m high and 0.6 m out from the bath or tray, or 1.2 m from a shower head with no tray. See the IET's Part P guidance for England and Wales.| What you are doing | Notifiable in England? |
|---|---|
| Replacing a shaver supply unit like for like | No |
| Adding a shaver unit outside the special location, from an existing circuit | No |
| Adding a shaver unit inside the special location | Yes |
| Running a new circuit for the shaver unit or a mirror cabinet | Yes |
Not notifiable does not mean anything goes. Every job must still meet BS 7671 and be tested. Notifiable work is either done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, who self certifies it, or notified to local authority building control before work starts.
How a shaver socket is usually wired
- Choose the position. Outside the zones is simplest. Zone 2 is allowed if the unit will not be hit by direct spray, so keep it away from the shower side of the room.
- Pick the supply. Shaver units draw very little current, so they are commonly fed from the lighting circuit, or from a fused spur on the ring final circuit. Your electrician will choose based on the existing wiring.
- Confirm RCD protection. The circuit must be protected by a 30 mA RCD or RCBO, even though the unit has its own isolating transformer.
- Use a unit to BS EN 61558-2-5. Check the specification before fitting. A transformerless shaver outlet is not suitable for a bathroom.
- Test and certify. Test the circuit and issue the right certificate. Notifiable work needs a scheme electrician or building control.
Shaver sockets we stock
The units below are dual voltage shaver supply units for 115 V and 230 V appliances. They cover moulded white, metal and decorative finishes, so you can match the rest of your switches and sockets. Check each product page to confirm BS EN 61558-2-5 before installing in a bathroom.
Ansell ADVSS dual voltage shaver socket 
Knightsbridge CU8900N white curved shaver socket, neon 
Crabtree CR1400 Instinct 20VA shaver supply unit 
BG Electrical 940 white square edge shaver socket 
Knightsbridge CL89BCG shaver socket, brushed chrome 
BG Electrical FPC20G screwless shaver socket, polished chrome 
Hager WRSO100PSW Sollysta shaver outlet, polished steel 
Click Deco Plus DPMB100BK shaver socket, matt black
Prices shown are correct at the time of writing and exclude VAT where applicable. Check the product page for current pricing, stock and full specification, including whether a shaver socket meets BS EN 61558-2-5.
Your options, compared
1
Shaver unit beside the basin
The most common position. Usually outside the zones, close to the mirror, and easy to feed from the lighting circuit above.
2
Shaver unit in zone 2
Allowed where it will not get direct spray. Useful in a small bathroom where the basin sits close to the bath.
3
Mirror cabinet with built in shaver point
Tidy and popular. The shaver outlet inside must still meet BS EN 61558-2-5, and the cabinet must suit its zone.
4
Shaver point outside the bathroom
An option in an en suite or dressing area. Outside a bathroom, you can also use a standard socket for a hair dryer.
Common mistakes
- Fitting a shaver outlet without a transformer. Only a shaver supply unit to BS EN 61558-2-5 is allowed in zone 2 or near the bath. Transformerless shaver outlets belong in bedrooms.
- Putting the unit in zone 1. Shaver supply units are not allowed in zones 0 or 1, however close the basin is to the bath.
- Mounting it where the shower can spray it. Zone 2 is only acceptable where direct spray is unlikely. Keep it on the basin side, away from the shower.
- Expecting it to run a hair dryer. A 20 VA shaver unit is designed for shavers and toothbrushes. A hair dryer needs a hard wired unit or another room.
- Swapping it for a 13 A socket. A standard socket must be at least 3 m from zone 1. Replacing a shaver unit with a normal socket is not compliant in most bathrooms.
- No RCD on the circuit. Section 701 requires 30 mA RCD protection for all circuits serving the room, including the one feeding the shaver unit.
Planning a bathroom? Read our guides to sockets in a bathroom, bathroom light switches and bathroom lighting zones and IP ratings. For switching, see our BG ceiling switches and Click pull cord switches. We supply trade, councils, end users and government bodies.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have a shaver socket in a bathroom in the UK?
Yes, as long as it is a shaver supply unit to BS EN 61558-2-5. It can go outside the zones, or in zone 2 where direct spray is unlikely. It cannot go in zones 0 or 1.
How far from a bath or shower does a shaver socket need to be?
Outside zone 1, which means beyond the edge of the bath or shower tray, or more than 1.2 m from the shower head where there is no tray. Zone 2 is allowed if the unit is out of direct spray. Outside zone 2, which ends 0.6 m beyond zone 1, there is no zone restriction.
Why are shaver sockets allowed when normal sockets are not?
Because a shaver supply unit contains a safety isolating transformer, and its output is limited to a small load. That makes it far safer near water than a standard 13 A socket, which must be at least 3 m from zone 1.
Can I plug a hair dryer into a shaver socket?
No. Bathroom shaver units are typically rated around 20 VA, enough for shavers and toothbrush chargers only. A hair dryer will trip the thermal cut out or not run at all.
Does a shaver socket need to be on an RCD?
Yes. Regulation 701.411.3.3 requires 30 mA RCD protection for all circuits serving a room containing a bath or shower, including the circuit feeding a shaver supply unit.
Can a shaver socket be wired from the lighting circuit?
Yes, this is common. A shaver unit draws very little current, so it is often fed from the lighting circuit. It can also be fed from a fused spur on a ring final circuit. The electrician will decide based on the existing wiring.
Do I need an electrician to fit a shaver socket?
In England, replacing a shaver unit like for like is not notifiable. Adding a new unit inside the bathroom's special location is notifiable, so it needs a scheme registered electrician or a building control application. All work must meet BS 7671.
Sources & references
- BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations, Section 701. Zone definitions, Regulation 701.411.3.3 on 30 mA RCD protection, and Regulation 701.512.3 on accessories, shaver supply units, SELV and the 3 m socket outlet distance.
- BS EN 61558-2-5, Safety of transformers, particular requirements for shaver supply units.
- IET, Part P of the Building Regulations for England and Wales, frequently asked questions, electrical.theiet.org. Definition of a special location in a room containing a bath or shower, and the notifiable work list.
- Approved Document P, Building Regulations for England, 2013 edition. Notifiable work limited to new circuits, consumer unit replacement, and additions or alterations in special locations.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for design or installation advice. Requirements depend on the specific installation, its measured characteristics and the applicable regulations in your part of the UK. Always consult a competent person and refer to the current edition of BS 7671.
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