Looking for a touch-sensor switch for a bathroom light.

ThisIsWeird

Hi all.

The situation is; en-suite has a ceiling light operated by an external switch as normal. The owner wants a light above the mirror too, and the sparky has laid a live cable for this purpose, which comes out t'wall.

Problem is, the owner doesn't want a wall light with a nasty wee dangly pull cord. I pointed them towards an illuminated mirror with a built-in touch switch (and de-mist!), but they are all modern and 'orrible, according to him.

So, any mileage in one of these:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/BHIRH-250A-Patented-Voltage-100-240V-Intelligent/dp/B01H1GG62Q/ref=sr_1_5?

The unit could be mounted in the wall, and the covered hole hidden behind the mirror. The wee sensor could be mounted in the wall wherever makes ergonomic sense - I'm guessing it's an innocuous black blob. This could then operate any choice of wall light.

Anyone used one of these? Any better ideas?

Ta.

Alderbank

I am surprised that you would recommend an IP20 switch in a bathroom. That switch is really only for living rooms. IP20 is not resistant to steam, moisture or water splash.

Surely an IP44 switch (such as this) would be a better recommendation for a bathroom?

https://www.downlights.co.uk/water-resistant-touch-switch-leyton-srsen.html

ThisIsWeird

Thanks.
I haven't actually recommended anything specific, but just looking for solutions to his conundrum.
It would need to be able to switch mains voltages, whilst being safe to use in a bathroom environment, and also look ok - is there such a thing?!
Ta.

ThisIsWeird

Oooh, clever. The actual switch is an inert wireless transmitter, self-powering. Only problem, it's ugly. But getting there

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6J5MKCH/?

ThisIsWeird

Alderbank said:

I am surprised that you would recommend an IP20 switch in a bathroom. That switch is really only for living rooms. IP20 is not resistant to steam, moisture or water splash.
Surely an IP44 switch (such as this) would be a better recommendation for a bathroom?
https://www.downlights.co.uk/water-resistant-touch-switch-leyton-srsen.html

Actually, since the unit itself would be mounted inside the wall cavity, behind the mirror, it'll be fully protected, well within IP20 standard. 

The only thing on show would be the front of the sensor, and that operates on ELV, and is designed for use in bathrooms anyway, so is presumably watertight. There's a vid that shows one being used to replace the wee pull-cord in a light fitting, so you just move your hand rather than pull a dangly. It also switches 240V, which is what's needed.

Just wondering if there's a nicer version? Or one that makes it clear it's a switch.

casper_gutman

We used one of these for our bathroom light. Much like the one @ThisIsWeird posted above, it's a 'kinetic switch' with no wiring and no battery, which generates enough energy to operate just from the action of being pushed.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. To me it just looks like a white square the size of any other light switch. It's mounted next to and in line with a toothbrush charger, and doesn't look out of place there. The two of them go together. It's certainly less unattractive than the pull cord it replaced - as my daughter put it, "It looks much nicer than that dirty bit of string"!

ThisIsWeird

casper_gutman said:

We used one of these for our bathroom light. Much like the one @ThisIsWeird posted above, it's a 'kinetic switch' with no wiring and no battery, which generates enough energy to operate just from the action of being pushed.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. To me it just looks like a white square the size of any other light switch. It's mounted next to and in line with a toothbrush charger, and doesn't look out of place there. The two of them are . It's certainly less unattractive than the pull cord it replaced - as my daughter put it, "It looks much nicer than that dirty bit of string"!

Thanks, Casper, and very good point - they are bound to have a shaver socket in any case, so a switch ain't likely the eyesore it could be. 
Cheers.