Technical Bathroom Information
The
following information is a guide to
help you understand what
Bathroom lights can be
placed where in a bathroom. This is
not an installation guide and
reference should be made to the IEE
Wiring Regulations (16th Edition) or
a qualified electrician.
Firstly it is important to
understand the rating by which
bathroom lights are
classified. IP rating stands for
"Ingress Protection" and is always
followed by two characters. These
two numbers refer to the level of
protection and it is important that
you choose fittings with the correct
rating according to where they are
to be sited within the bathroom.
The diagram shows a bathroom
split into four clear zones: 0, 1, 2
and 3*.
Zone 0 is inside
the bath or shower itself. Any
fitting used in this zone must be
low voltage, (max 12v) and be rated
at least IP67 which is total
immersion proof.
Zone 1 is the
area above the bath to a height of
2.25m from the floor. In this zone a
minimum rating of IP44 is required.
If the fitting is 240v a 30ma
residual current device (RCD) must
also be used to protect the circuit
in this zone.
Zone 2 is an
area stretching 0.6m outside the
perimeter of the bath and to a
height of 2.25 from the floor. In
this zone IP rating of at least IP44
is required.
In addition it is good practice
to consider the area around a wash
basin, within a 60cm radius of any
tap to be considered as zone 2.
*Zone 3 This Zone Has Now
been Withdrawn From the 17th Edition
of the regulations
In addition to the above, if
there is a likelihood of water jets
being used for cleaning purpose in
zones 1 and 2 a fitting rated a
minimum IP65 must be used.
IP Explanation and Ratings
EN 60529 outlines an international
classification system for the
sealing effectiveness of enclosures
of electrical equipment against the
intrusion into the equipment of
foreign bodies (i.e. tools, dust,
fingers) and moisture. This
classification system utilizes the
letters "IP" ("Ingress Protection")
followed by two or three digits. (A
third digit is sometimes used. An
"x" is used for one of the digits if
there is only one class of
protection; i.e. IPX4 which
addresses moisture resistance only.)
Degrees of Protection - First Digit
The first digit of the IP code
indicates the degree that persons
are protected against contact with
moving parts (other than smooth
rotating shafts, etc.) and the
degree that equipment is protected
against solid foreign bodies
intruding into an enclosure.
|
0 |
No
special protection |
|
1 |
Protection from a large part
of the body such as a hand
(but no protection from
deliberate access); from
solid objects greater than
50mm in diameter.
|
|
2 |
Protection against fingers
or other object not greater
than 80mm in length and 12mm
in diameter. |
|
3 |
Protection from entry by
tools, wires, etc., with a
diameter of thickness
greater than 1.0mm.
|
|
4 |
Protection from entry by
solid objects with a
diameter or thickness
greater than 1.0mm
|
|
5 |
Protection from the amount
of dust that would interfere
with the operation of the
equipment. |
|
6 |
Dust
tight. |
Degrees of Protection - Second Digit
The second digit indicates the
degree of protection of the
equipment inside the enclosure
against the harmful entry of various
forms of moisture (e.g. dripping,
spraying, submersion, etc.)
|
0 |
No
special protection
|
|
1 |
Protection from dripping
water. |
|
2 |
Protection from vertically
dripping water.
|
|
3 |
Protection from sprayed
water. |
|
4 |
Protection from splashed
water. |
|
5 |
Protection from water
projected from a nozzle |
|
6 |
Protection against heavy
seas, or powerful jets of
water. |
|
7 |
Protection against
immersion. |
|
8 |
Protection against complete,
continuous submersion in
water. |
Full details can be found in the
latest copy of the IEE wiring
regulations.
