When you decide to invest in a sauna room for your home, you may focus on product quality and dealer service, but there's an important issue that is often overlooked: the sauna room may not be usable after it's delivered because the local power system doesn’t match the sauna’s power requirements. Although this may seem like a simple question, it’s one of the most commonly overlooked problems by users. So, can the sauna room's power supply be plugged into a standard socket? What are the potential risks if it is plugged into an ordinary socket?

Continue reading as Alphasauna answers your questions about the safety of using a sauna room from many perspectives.

How Saunas Work and Their Power Requirements

We all know that the core of both traditional and infrared sauna rooms is the heater, which is one of the key components that determines whether we can enjoy a comfortable experience. Currently, electric heaters and infrared heaters are the most commonly used in homes, gyms, and spas. The size of traditional and infrared sauna rooms varies, and the power requirements differ based on the room size. Let’s take our products as an example:

Small 2-Person Barrel Sauna Room

This outdoor 2-person barrel sauna room has a barrel-shaped structure with dimensions of 1800*1500mm. It is equipped with an electric sauna heater with a power of 3.5KW and a 110V/220V power supply. Made of Canadian red pine, this sauna room is designed for smaller family courtyards, making it a perfect choice for couples or individuals.

Small 2-Person Rectangular Sauna Room

In contrast to the barrel-shaped sauna room, the indoor traditional sauna room for 2 people requires more power. This sauna room has dimensions of L2000W1200H2000mm, with an electric heater rated at 4.5KW, and is powered by a 110V/220V power supply. Made of Finnish pine wood, this sauna room is designed for indoor use, which means it does not need to withstand harsh outdoor weather, allowing for a more cost-effective choice in material selection.

Small 2-Person Infrared Sauna Room

Also to traditional saunas, small 2-person infrared sauna rooms have become a popular choice today. This infrared sauna room has dimensions of L1200W1050H2000mm and operates on 220V (50Hz/60Hz) with a power consumption of 2100W. It is constructed from Canadian red cedar and is equipped with aviation-grade carbon nanofiber, conventional mica heating plates, Bluetooth, FM, and USB multimedia features, making it a fully functional infrared sauna.

Also to small saunas, we offer medium-sized barrel saunas, rectangular saunas, and infrared saunas designed for 3-4 people. The power requirements for these medium-sized saunas are typically around 6KW, with a 110V/220V power supply. The outdoor 3-4-person infrared sauna, for example, has a size of 1800*1800mm and is designed for a 220V (50Hz/60Hz) power supply with a power consumption of 3200W.

For large outdoor saunas designed for 6-8 people, the power need is around 8KW. Large infrared saunas are customized with the appropriate power and wattage according to specific needs.

Tip: The above power requirements of 110V/220V must match the local power supply system and cannot be used interchangeably.

What is the Power Capacity of Ordinary Household Sockets?

Taking the United States as an example, the standard home socket is 110V, with a power carrying capacity of 1800W, while a 220V socket can support 4000W. If the power need of the sauna room is less than 3KW, an ordinary socket may suffice for basic operation. But, Alphasauna manufacturers do not recommend this. When the sauna heater is activated, it draws a large initial current, which can overload a standard household socket, potentially causing long-term damage to the socket and plug, shortening the lifespan of the equipment, and even posing a fire risk.

Thus, Alphasauna recommends installing independent power lines and modifying the circuit for high-power sauna rooms. This ensures that the sauna heater can operate stably and safely, without overloading the existing electrical system.

Additionally, one of the key requirements for sauna room equipment is that it must have grounding protection. Thus, a socket with proper grounding must be used. If there is no grounding, there is a risk of electrical shock, especially when using the sauna in a humid environment.

How to Use the Sauna Room Safely?

So, under what conditions can we use the sauna room safely? Here are a few important safety tips to keep in mind:

Avoid Overloading the Power Supply

When using the sauna room, make sure not to run many high-power appliances (such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc.) simultaneously, as this can overload the circuit.

Safe Operation and Power-Off

Always ensure that the sauna heater is completely powered off after use to prevent prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Install Fire Alarms

For added safety, consider installing smoke or fire alarms near the sauna room to further enhance safety during use.

Conclusion

In summary, plugging a sauna room into an ordinary socket is not advisable because most household sockets cannot meet the power requirements of high-power sauna heaters. For public or high-power traditional and infrared sauna rooms, must install independent power lines and have a professional electrician change the circuit to ensure safety during use.

To avoid these issues, when purchasing a sauna room, our professionals will rank advising you on the local power conditions, helping you understand the power requirements, and selecting the appropriate socket. This ensures that you can fully enjoy your sauna experience without any discomfort or safety concerns.