Current Regulations for Bathroom Lights | Edition 18
It is important when installing bathroom lights that the regulations are followed to ensure safety for all users. It is also important if you intend letting your property as you will be required to have your electrical system certified.
Firstly, simple and hopefully obviously you cannot use a portable light in the bathroom, so no table or floor lamps, for a general overall light use a ceiling light which will usually be flush mounted, ie fixed direct to the ceiling, this reduces any water ingress into the unit, or if you have the space a fixed pendant version will work. We do both using LED or standard bulbs.
You can also use spotlights if you require directional light or wall mounted bathroom lights for mood lighting. You can use 240 v systems, but for lights in Zone 0 ( i.e. ceiling light in a shower cubicle) this would operate of a 12v system, with the transformer outside that zone – usually in a roof void)
With all bathroom lights, placement i.e. where in the bathroom you wish to install the light will determine the types available as the bathroom is split into zones. Lights are also rated by IP (Ingress Protection) and 2 numbers or IPX+Number. (Basically the higher the number the more protected a fitting is)
You can also use spotlights if you require directional light or wall mounted bathroom lights for mood lighting.
IP ratings explained:
Electrical equipment can be given an IP number short for Ingress Protection then 2 figures, the first digit for mechanical protection (what can get inside) the second number for the level of water protection. So a very common IP20 used for many household lights, 2 means nothing over 12mm can enter, ie fingers, and 0 no water protection. Whereas IP44 again the rating for many outdoor lights, 4 means nothing over 1mm so no wire can be poked in, and the second 4 refers to protection from splashes. This makes IP44 a good rating for outdoor lights as well as some areas in the bathroom. So the higher the second number the better the water protection, generally they go hand in hand. ip56, ip66 etc.
Bathroom Light Zones
With all bathroom lights, placement i.e. where in the bathroom you wish to install the light will determine the types available as the bathroom is split into zones.
Zone 0 – Inside a Bath or shower – only low voltage (12V) Total Immersion units.
Zone 1 – The area immediately surrounding the bath / shower to 2.25 m above the bath. Any lights in this zone must be IP55 or higher i.e spray proof.
Zone 2 – This area must have splash proof lights so IP44 or IP54 or higher.
Zone 3 – No IP requirement, but IP44 can be preferable as these are splash proof.
Ceilings – Unless the fitting is over a bath or shower and falls into Zones 1 or 2, a normal pendant will do,
Current Bathroom Zones
Obviously the larger your bath or shower room the easier it is to place lights away from risk areas and this will give you a greater choice of fittings, ceiling lights can be used without an IP rating as long as they are not directly over a bath or shower, as most bathroom ceiling lights tend to be in the centre of the room this will not be an issue. Using a Flush or fixed fitting will suffice.
Switches should be pull cord from the ceiling or outside the room.
Now you can choose your new Bathroom Light – Bathroom Ceiling lights – Bathroom Wall Sconces.