Why is it dangerous to use a switch in your bathroom, and why are pull-cords better and safer?

Question

Why are pull-cords much safer in your bathrooms?? How do they work? Why are switches dangerous? What makes them dangerous??

Answer 1

Keeps wet hands away from electricity, if you combine water and electricity the consequences can be fatal.

Answer 2

Its dangerous because water and electricity don't mix and if your trying to exit that is it// Switches are never put into a bathroom its always pull cords its against the rules

Answer 3

As an electrician, in Canada, I follow the Electrical Code. So the switch is one meter from the sink or outside the bathroom. An alternative method for existing electrical equipment in bathroom is to protect the circuitry with either a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Receptacle with switch & light on the load side of the GFCI, or protect the entire circuit with a Ground fault Breaker at the distribution panel

Answer 4

Basically water conducts electricity and a switch gets wet due to condensation or water running off your hand a pull cord which is usually standard in UK bathrooms does not because it is usaully made of man made fibres which not only are not conductors but are water resistant to repeal water which could cause electric to travel down the cord.

Answer 5

switches are dangerous in the bathroom because of the amount of moisture, especially when having a shower, there is also the risk of you touching the switch with wet hands, therefore the risk of electric shock. using a pull cord cancels this out because you don't physically come into contact with the switch.

Answer 6

pull cords are safer as even with wet hands youre not making direct contact with the electric if youve got wet hand a touch a normal switch you can pass water through the switch and get a nasty electric shock or worse

Answer 7

Condensation can accumulate in a switch water and electricity do not mix a pull cord works by putting the switch out of the bathroom it cannot conduct electricity.

Answer 8

You must know that water and electricity do not mix - wet hands and maybe a faulty switch and you don't get your bath, you get a pine box! wet hands and a pull cord - basically a bit of string and it don't conduct electricity, result, a nice soak in the tub!!

Answer 9

pull switches keep your hand well away from the electricity. With conventional switches, the damp conditions in a bathroom make them dangerous.

Answer 10

I have NEVER heard this. I own my own home and I don't have ANY pull switches anywhere in the house. EVERY single light fixture has a switch. I do have GFR's receptacles on the counter tops as well as on the stone hearth where my pellet stove is but that's it. Also I have never seen pull cords in anyone Else's house with the exception of like in a work shop area. BUT NEVER in the bath room.