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The Astro Guide to Bathroom Lighting – Planning the lighting in your bathroom!
Posted by sparksdirect in all-time best-seller, ask Mr Sparks, bathroom lights, customer service, energy saving lights, guest expert, in-house announcements, lighting systems, products pictures, standards and regulations, technical data on August 24, 2011
This guide is inspired from the Astro Guide to Bathroom Lighting (read the PDF file from their website) and will be developed further in other articles. Today we are talking about the best way to plan our bathroom lights – plan in time, and consider how will you use the space! Also, you need to know the regulations for using the light fittings in the bathroom.
The status of bathrooms has changed over time and it is no longer “a small white space designed for a quick wash”. We are all spending more time in the bathroom and correspondingly more money on achieving a quality finish. So why scrimp on the lighting?
Most bathrooms are built to last ten to twenty years, so it is well-worth investing the same degree of planning and quality in the lighting particularly as it is by far the most emotionally influential element.
Remember: Never underestimate how depressing a poor lighting scheme can make you feel. Conversely, get it right and you bring the room to life and make it an enriching, positive space.
Planning Your Bathroom Lighting
Plan It In Time – Early!
After deciding where the basin, toilet, bath, and shower are to be positioned, lighting should be next on the list. That way you can run all the cabling and bury it in the walls before you start tiling and decorating.
Consider How Will You Use the Space in the Bathroom
This will determine how many lighting ‘scenes’ you need to create: A small cloakroom may need just one lighting scene, whereas a larger room with a bath enables you to have at least two: “bright” for speedy stops, and “soft and low” for slow, relaxing soaks.
To create the different scenes, you can plan on at least two wall switches. These can now be legally positioned inside the bathroom as long as they are an appropriate distance from wet areas, but the simplest and most popular solution is to position the switches outside adjacent to the door.
Understand the Regulations in the Bathroom
The IP44 rating (sometimes written as IPX4) simply means that the light fitting is “splash-proof” and therefore will withstand the typical level of moisture found in a domestic bathroom(read more about the bathroom IP rating explained and the IP rating in the bathrooms).
On our website you can find a large collection of bathroom lights – many of them from Astro Lighting – at the Bathroom Mirrors, the Bathroom Ceiling Lights, and the Bathroom Wall Lights section – so you’ll find plenty to choose from.
According to the recent bathroom wiring regulations, you can use IP44 rated lights anywhere in a bathroom, apart from inside the bath itself. Here you will need a higher level of protection – IP65, (“Jet-proof”, like the new FIN328 ceiling bulkhead) and this is the rating generally considered to be safer for lights fitted inside a shower cubicle.
Top Tip for Planning Your Bathroom Lighting: Even small rooms with one lighting scene will benefit from a dimmer switch. This inexpensive measure ensures night time trips to the loo or early morning starts are only as bright as you want them to be. Lights that can be dimmed include mains or low-voltage halogen, or any “standard” filament-type bulbs. LEDs, fluorescent or compact-fluorescent bulbs usually can’t (this includes most illuminated mirrors).
Keep an eye on our blog for the next section of this Bathroom lighting guide from Astro Lighting(or download the full PDF from their website) – the Types of Lighting You Can have in a Bathroom. If you are interested to purchase bathroom lights, check out the Bathroom Lights section on our website.
What is IP Zoning? Update on the IP rating and IP zoning: zone 0, zone 1, and zone 2 only!
We owe our visitors and customers an apology – the recent regulations have modified the “IP rating in the bathrooms – bathroom IP zoning” and the “IP zoning in the bathrooms – IP rating“. It is a simple change – the renouncing / eliminating of the zone three, since it is irrelevant when it comes to light fittings and other electrical devices in the bathroom or shower. Zone 3 has been removed under the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations BS7671. To illustrate the IP zoning regulations there’s the classical bathroom area divided up into areas or “ZONES” which are classified using the numbers 0, 1, and 2(no longer a zone 3). The luminaires are assigned an “IP RATING“(which can be seen in the description of the light fittings on our website) which indicates how much protection they provide against ingress of water and other particles. Each zone has a minimum IP requirement that must be met if a fitting is to be installed in this area. The source for this picture and details: the Aurora Lighting Information on the IP Zoning in the Bathrooms.
IP Zoning in the Bathrooms – the IP Rating and Zones
- IP Zoning – Zone 0 – Inside the bath or shower. Any fittings used here must be SELV (max. 12V) and have a minimum rating of IPX7 (protected against immersion in water). If there’s the likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required for the light fittings or electrical devices.
- IP Zoning – Zone 1 – Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m. A minimum rating of IPX4 is required. If there’s the likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required for the light fittings or electrical devices.
- IP Zoning – Zone 2 – This is the area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above the bath or shower if over 2.25m. An IP rating of at least IPX4 is required. The same as in zone 1 – If there’s the likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required for the light fittings or electrical devices.
- IP Zoning – Anywhere outside zones 0, 1, and 2 – this is where water jets are not to be used for cleaning purposes, the general rules of BS7671 apply. IP not essential – IP rating is not required.
In zones 1 and 2, SELV or 240V luminaires may be used(remember to respect the IP rating required). As for the final circuits, they all require 30mA RCD protection.
Please Note: The above information is intended as a guide only – if you want to find out more detailed information on the IP rating and the IP Zoning in the Bathrooms, please refer to the IEE Wiring Regulations(BS 7671:2001 section 601).
The Amazing Artemide Dioscuri ceiling/wall lamp designed by Michele De Lucchi
Posted by sparksdirect in bathroom lights, lighting systems, products pictures, technical data, website update on April 7, 2010
The Artemide Dioscuri range of Interior Wall / Ceiling Lights was designed by Michele De Lucchi in year 1999 for Artemide. Also introduced on the newlights blog as the New Spherical Artemide Dioscuri, this ceiling or wall mounted luminaire produces a brilliant diffused incandescent lighting.
Since it is UL listed, the Artemide Dioscuri can be used in wet locations and it is suitable both for indoor and outdoor applications. As to the design, the Artemide Dioscuri‘s minimalist design features makes it a simple globe with a totally hidden support structure. The globe diffusers are made of etched white hand-blown glass, and this range, the Artemide Dioscuri, is available in the following distinct sizes:
- Artemide Dioscuri 14(14 cm diameter);
- Artemide Dioscuri 25(10″ – 25cm diameter);
- Artemide Dioscuri 35(14″ – 35cm diameter);
- Artemide Dioscuri 42(42 cm diameter).
Even though it is not normally visible, the white mounting plate(support plate in white lacquered steel) of the Dioscuri Lamp is made of durable and sleek polycarbonate.
Note: The lamp is designed for mounting to standard electrical junction boxes UL approved.
The Artemide Dioscuri – More Features
- Design: Michele de Lucchi, 1999;
- Globe diffuser in etched white handblown glass;
- Concealed mounting plate in white polycarbonate;
- Mounting to standard electrical junction boxes;
- Base in thermoplastic resin, acid etched blown glass diffuser;
- Newly redesigned to incorporate compact fluorescent option utilizing GU24 base with integrated ballast and lamp holder;
- U.L. listed for wet locations;
- Incandescent light source
- The Artemide Dioscuri 14, takes max. 1 x 60W (G9) halogen;
- The Artemide Dioscuri 25(Ø10″), takes max. 1 x 100W (E27) halogen;
- The Artemide Dioscuri 35(Ø14″), takes max 1 x 150W (E27) halogen;
- The Artemide Dioscuri 42, takes max 1 x 250W (E27) halogen; - Can be mounted on either the wall or the ceiling; there is also a version of the Artemide Dioscuri that can be a table lamp(see website);
- IP rating: IP65 rated, can be placed in the bathroom zones 1-3;
- More details about this spherical wall / ceiling light;
- Buy online the Artemide Dioscuri Wall / Ceiling mounted lamps for indoor use.
Bathroom safety – simple rules for avoiding electricity related dangers in the bathrooms
Posted by the electrician in ask Mr Sparks, customer service, electrical products, heaters, in-house announcements, lighting systems, standards and regulations, technical data, website update on March 18, 2010
As we all know, water carries electricity very efficiently. When water(or wet surfaces/devices/beings) and electricity mix, the result is very dangerous. Because of this, from the electrical safety point of view, the bathroom is possibly the most dangerous room in the home. The consequences of an electric shock are far more severe in a bathroom or shower room as our wet skin reduces our body’s resistance. There are special requirements for electrical installations in bathrooms, for example:
Installing Sockets in the Bathrooms
Sockets are not allowed to be installed in bathrooms or the shower rooms (apart from shaver-supply units), unless they can be fitted at least three metres from the bath(bathtub) or shower. Shaver-supply units must be a safe distance from the bath or shower to avoid splashes.
Installing Lights in the Bathrooms
Enclosed ceiling lights are preferable to the pendants (the ones that hang down from the ceiling) light fittings. All the light fittings that are not enclosed, should be out of reach of someone using, or still wet from using, the bath or shower.
The IP rating for the light fittings that are to be mounted in the bathroom has to be high enough for them to be fitted there – see the permissible IP ratings for the bathroom lights. A ceiling-mounted pull-cord switch with the cord made of insulating material is the safest option for a bathroom. Standard wall-mounted light switches are a possible danger because of dampness and wet hands.
Installing Heaters and towel rails in the Bathrooms
Central heating is the safest way of keeping a bathroom warm. But if you have an electric room heater, it must be fixed at a safe distance from the bath or shower – it has to be outside of the reach of the splashing of water.
The electric and gas water heaters in a bathroom must be fixed and permanently wired, unless they are powered by a socket fitted three metres from a bath or shower. Electric heaters should preferably be controlled by a pull cord or a switch outside the bathroom.
Safely Installing Showers
An electric shower must be supplied on its own circuit direct from the consumer unit.
Please Don’t bring any mains-powered portable appliances such as hairdryers, heaters or radios into a bathroom. You could be severely injured or die. You can get a fixed hairdryer with hot air delivered through a flexible plastic pipe installed in bathrooms.
These tips, along with other Electrical Safety Considerations for Home Appliances & Home usage – can be found on the Electrical Safety Council website. Remember: when you want to install the Bathroom Lights, the Bathroom Sockets or the Bathroom Heating Solutions / Hand Dryers, you have to keep in mind these simple rules and even better, consult an electrician.
New Outdoor Ceiling Lights, Exterior Pendants and Flush Fittings, LEDS-C4 made
Posted by sparksdirect in lighting systems, products pictures, website update on November 4, 2009
Besides the outdoor wall-mounted light fittings and the spotlights or the eyelids for exterior use, we have added some Outdoor Ceiling Lights. You may say: there’s no ceiling when you’re outdoor – “the sky is the limit!” Yet there are these covered areas outdoors, like the porches, backyard places, garages, etc – and they have a ceiling – here we are talking about this kind of light fittings. Some of them are not high IP rated, since they will be protected from the intemperies of the weather. Most of them are the traditional pendants / lights hanging from the ceilings that we “grew up with” – solid exterior pendants for modern and classical/traditional homes! Check out some of these models below – simply click on the picture/supplied link to see more + buy it online!
Left: Irene Outdoor Ceiling Light – Flush Square Fixture, IP44 rated, Bronze finish, takes 2 x 60W E27 light bulbs, exterior flush light.
Right: Dionis Outdoor Ceiling Light, Bronze Flush Square light for exterior use, IP23(not to be placed in the rain), takes 1 x 60W E27 light bulb.
Left: Mark Outdoor Ceiling Light – Black Hanging Lantern for exterior use, IP23 rated(not to be placed in the rain), takes 1 x 100W E27 light bulb.
Right: Edipo Outdoor Pendant Light – Bronze Hanging Lantern for exterior use, IP23 rated(not to be placed in the rain), takes 1 x 100W E27 light bulb.
Left: Galatea Outdoor Pendant – Bronze Hanging Lantern for exterior use, IP23 rated(not to be placed in the rain), takes 1 x 100W E27 light bulb.
Right: Olimpo Outdoor Pendant, Black Hanging Lantern for exterior use, IP23 rated(not to be placed in the rain), takes 1 x 100W E27 light bulb.
Read more about the LEDS-C4 manufactured outdoor light fittings: new outdoor wall lights and eyelids, outdoor cube wall lights and spotlights, etc. Order online Outdoor Ceiling Light fittings via SparksDirect.