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| Bathroom lights do not have to be boring any more Pin this |
Are you redesigning your bathroom?
The standard bathroom furniture – the bath, toilet, sink and
shower – are all relatively easy to source. You just need to select a style and
ensure the size matches your physical space.
However, choosing lighting for your bathroom always appears
to be so complicated. Did someone say something about IP rating? You might ask
yourselves what the heck that means. But do not worry. We are here to demystify
bathroom light selection.
Consider your bathroom in the terms of zones. We have found
you this helpful diagram to explain the zones to you. Where are you considering
putting lights? Select the relevant zone and then you can see which IP rating
you need.
Because of the high chance that the lights will be exposed
to moisture, you should only put lights in your bathroom that have been
designed for it. Also, to ensure you are not at risk, always ensure a qualified
electrician installs your bathroom lights.
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| The bathroom zones explained in a handy picture From: http://electricalrevision.yolasite.com/zones.php |
Your guide to IP
Ratings
For bathroom lights, the second digit of the IP ratings is
the most important when selecting your lighting. The IP ratings refer to the degree
of risk of electric shock.
The X represents another digit. However, this is not
important in relevance to the lights bathroom suitability.
The scale:
- IPX0 – No protection
- IPX1 – Drip proof
- IPX3 – Rain proof
- IPX4 – Splash proof (suitable for zone 1/2)
- IPX5 – Water jet proof (suitable for zone 1/2)
- IPX6 - Powerful water jet proof
- IPX7 – Watertight (immersible) = Suitable for Zone 0
- IPX8 – Pressure watertight
Zone 0 – Inside the
bath, shower or wet room
All lights within a bath or shower cubicle or wet room need
to have an IP rating of at least IP67 and have a low voltage (max 12V).
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| Bathroom Lights - Zone 0 Inside you bath, shower or wet room |
The lights for zone 0 are usually spot lights and recessed.
They are available in a variety of lamp colours.
Option 1 –
EL-20064 by Endon Lighting - A pack of 6 blue LED plinth lights.
IP67. £31.68.
These are ideal for the sides of the bath or if you want to light
up a wet room or shower cubical.
Option 2 – SauncaSL50 by Firstlight Modern chrome finish. IP68 rated. £175.50.
This spot light is specifically
designed for use in a Jacuzzi or sauna.
Zone 1 – 2.25m above
the floor around the bath or shower
All lights within this zone need an IP rating of at least
IP44 – although if you clean with water jets an IP rating of IPX5 will be
needed).
Usually this area will only include wall space. So we have
selected a range of wall lights to show you the choice you have in bathroom
wall lights.
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| Bathroom Lights - Zone 1 - The wall around your bath non longer has to be dull and un-illuminated |
These lights will usually be on the wall around the sides of
your bath. There is a range of bathroom lighting available in traditional and
contemporary styles. You have a choice
between either traditional wall lights or spot lights. The perk of spot lights
is that you can aim them at the book you are reading in the bath. It’s also
worth considering picking a light with a pull cord which will help if you do
not want the light on all of the time.
Option 1 =
BATH/MN1 by Elstead Lighting. A traditionally styled bathroom wall light. IP44 rated. £89.10.
Features a G9
mains voltage halogen hidden within a decorative styled candle lamp shade.
Option 2 = OBO0775by Dar Lighting. Traditionally styled wall light with decorative opal shade. IP44 rated. £63.50.
Features a pull cord, so this would be ideal for when you need a low light for
when you’re relaxing in the bath.
Option 3 = LOG7150by Dar Lighting. Modern spot light in glass and chrome. IP44.
£69.50. Features a decorative mirrored back plate. So if your bathroom feature
mirrored tiles, this is really easy to add in. It also has a pull cord for easy
on/off and is double insulated. In addition, it is also LED.
Option 4 = Cosmo39615 by Saxby Lighting. Modern single chrome bathroom wall light. IP44 rated. £13.99.
We find these
lights are really popular. The style suits both residential and commercial
bathrooms.
Option 5 =
BATH/LUN2 by Elstead Lighting. A 2 light crystal decorated bathroom
light. IP44 rated. £243.00.
This is one of the few double light wall lights we
have for the bathroom. It is finished in a really traditional bronze and is
decorated with the beautiful crystal balls.
Option 6 =
Bath/BB1 BRZ by Elstead lighting. A traditional styled bathroom wall light. IP44 rated. £117.01.
This is a really
classical and decorative solution for if you are looking to create a
traditionally styled space. The wall light also uses G9 mains voltage halogen lamps, so it is really easy to
retrofit an equivalent LED lamp.
Zone 2 – 0.6m outside
parameter of the bath, shower or sink + the space above 2.25m-3m above the bath
or shower
In recent years, lighting manufacturers have been making a
real effort to create bathroom suitable ceiling lights that look decorative as
well. You do not just have to select boring and functional lights anymore. Have
as much enjoyment picking out your bathroom lights as any other room in the
house.
All lights in this zone need to have an IP rating of a
minimum of IPX4 (IPX5 where jets of water are used for cleaning).
With your ceiling lights, you need to consider a fitting that provides lighting to your space. Think in terms of lighting levels. The ceiling lights need to create an overall light for normal bathroom use. However, you can combine them with wall lights (and candles) to provide a low level lighting when you just was to relax.
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| Bathroom lights - Zone 2 - Modern and traditional ceiling lights. Flush lights, spot lights and pendant fittings. |
Option 1 =
540-34BS by Endon Lighting.
A modern flush fitting ceiling light.
IP54. £47.04.
This ceiling light is flush to the ceiling. So ideal if you have
short ceilings and is limited by height.
Option 2 = Pearl6151 by Firstlight. A decorative 3 light ceiling light. IP44 rated. £131.82.
Each shade is
decorated with crystal glass. So this will look stunning whether or not the
light is turned on. This ceiling light uses G9 mains voltage halogens, so if
you really want LED lights you can retrofit with an LED Lamp.
Option 3 =
EL-20017 by Endon Lighting. Modern down light featuring decorative blue LEDs. IP44. £49.92.
The main lamp –
a GU10 halogen lamp - can be replaced with an LED equivalent. This really is
ideal for modern bathrooms, especially if you are struggling for ceiling
height.
Option 4 =
EL-1003-5CH by Endon Lighting. Modern decorative 5 light chrome ceiling light. IP44. £144.00.
This is a really
popular fitting and a few customers have actually brought one of these to use
as a wall light. We have one of these on display in the showroom and it looks
really stylish. The lamps are G9 halogen, so you have the option to retrofit
this with an LED lamp.
Option 5 = 7443CCby Searchlight.
Modern chrome 3 light spot ceiling light. IP44. £47.04.
The perk of a spotlight
fitting is that you can ensure the light is exactly where you need it in your
space. These are GU10 halogens can be retrofitted to LED.
Option 6 = Eden8313GR by Firstlight.
Industrial style grey pendant light.
IP44 rated. £61.62.
This light is actually being marketed by Firstlight as a
garden light. However, we agree with a number of customers that this would work
fantastically well as a bathroom light as well. As the IP rating makes this safe
for bathroom use, we have decided to include it in the line up for this blog.
It provides you with a style that is different from the rest of the range on
offer. It would also look great in converted buildings or if you have slighting
higher ceilings to play with.
Option 7 = Disc CF10by Firstlight. Features an opal glass shade and a blue light projection onto the ceiling. IP44
Rated. £61.62.
Due to the opal glass shade this light provides a really soft
light. However, the coloured ceiling light makes this ideal for modern
bathrooms. The main light is a standard E27 lamp, so you could retrofit this to
LED if you wanted to.
Option 8 = CRA0550 by Dar Lighting. Decorative 5 light bathroom multi-arm pendant. IP44 rated. £148.50.
Features
alabaster glass shades in addition to crystal beads and drops. This ceiling
light looks beautiful on or off. The lamps are G9 halogens – so they can be
retrofitted to LEDs.
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| Bathroom lights - Zone 2 - Modern and Traditional Wall Lights Spot lights, shaver lights, hollywood style and bathroom LED mirror |
Features a digital clock so
you can keep track of the time. This mirror also has: a demist function, shaver
socket and decorative LED lights. Ideal for any family or commercial bathroom .
Option 1 =
EL-20093 by Endon Lighting . A white single head halogen lamp spotlight. IP44 rated. £28.80.
This wall light
is finished in a really clean white and has a pull cord – so you will not need
this on all the time. The perk of this being a GU10 halogen lamp is that you
can retrofit with a LED GU10 lamp if you prefer. You can get a matching ceiling
spot lamp if you want a matching set.
Option 2 =
Showtime by Firstlight. Hollywood dressing room inspired lights. IP44 rated. £85.00. These are ideal for
your bathroom or dressing table. Operated by pull cord, so you do not need to
have them on all the time. Features decorative mirrored back plate.
Option 3 = 8236CH by Firstlight . Energy saving shaver light with shaver
socket. IP44 rated £120.90. Because this light features a shaver socket, we
would recommend this be right at the edge of zone 2 and preferably over a
mirror. This will ensure the exposure to moisture is limited. It features a chrome finish with a frosted
glass diffuser. So this is a really practical light which will go in any bathroom.
Option 4 = ADA0750 by Dar Lighting . Double insulated chrome bathroom wall light. IP44 rated. £45.00.
Features an
opal glass shade which will give out a soft light. It takes SES Candle lamps –
so if you want an LED lamp you can retrofit.
Option 5 = Aylesbury BATH/AY1 by Elstead lighting – traditional style single wall light finished in chrome. IP44 rated. £94.50.
Comes
complete with a glass shade. Provides a soft light, so ideal if you’re looking
to create an atmosphere in your bathroom.
Outside of the these
zones
If you are fortunate enough to have a very large bathroom,
you will have areas that fall outside the stated zones. These areas do not have
a minimum IP rating requirement. However, we would recommend only using
specified bathroom lighting. When you are mixing water and electricity, it is
always better to be safe than sorry.
Any socket outlets you need – either for shavers, ply
sockets or rechargeable toothbrushes - need
to be in this zone. Every outlets should
be a minimum distance 3m outside zone 1. In addition, the circuit must be provided with a 30ma RCD protection. These
additional protections are another important reason as to why you need an
electrician involved in the project.
We hope this guide
has helped you understand the process of adding lighting to your bathroom. If
you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 01202
601846. We are more than happy to help you find the perfect light for your new
bathroom.
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| www.shinelighting.co.uk Your local lighting specialist |
