A Guide to Bathroom Lights and IP Rating

When in the process of designing a new sleek and practical bathroom, a crucial element that’s surprisingly shadowed is lighting. However, the right lighting can significantly boost your bathroom experience. Whether that’s cosy dim bathroom lighting for your peaceful candle-lit baths or lighting which enhances the space delivering an open, inviting feel to impress your guests.

An important aspect to consider is your bathroom light’s IP rating. In this article, we’ll show you exactly what this is and ensure you buy right first time saving you money, hassle and time.

What is an IP Rating?

You may well ask, What is an IP rating? IP means ingress protection and is nothing more than an easy way to indicate how well a lighting product is protected from external influences. Your bathroom lighting IP rating will consist of two digits.

First Digit

Refers to the degree of protection against solid matter, such as dust and dirt.
This digit ranges from 0-6.
0 indicating no protection, 6 indicating complete protection.

Second Digit

Refers to the degree of protection against liquids/moisture, such as water.
This digit ranges from 0-8.
0 indicating no protection, 8 indicating complete protection.

For example, an IP rating such as IP27 states limited protection against solid matter but strong protection against moisture. IP67 would indicate a high protection level against both factors.

Why do IP Ratings Matter in Bathrooms?

Bathrooms are unique environments where your lighting fixtures will be exposed to high humidity levels and potential water splashes. Therefore, if your bathroom lighting IP rating is insufficient, it can lead to safety hazards such as electrical failures and short circuits essentially breaking your lights.

Consequently, selecting the right IP rating is vital to ensure safety and durability.

To make the process of purchasing bathroom lighting easier for consumers, the bathroom is commonly divided into zones. This makes it clear what IP rating is required for each part of the room.

Zone 0: The area directly inside the bath or shower tray, constantly exposed to water. A minimum rating of IP67 is a must for lighting fixtures in this zone.

Zone 1: Typically areas up to 2.25m above the bath or shower basin. Here you will commonly find IP-rated bathroom wall lights or LED mirrors. A suggested rating for this zone is IP44 To IP65 to protect the lighting fixtures from water splash.

Zone 2: This zone is the same height as zone 1 but it stretches 0.6m around or either side of the bath and shower. It is prone to moisture but not direct water splash. A rating of IP44 is required in this zone.

Illuminate Your Bathroom with Confidence

Investing in suitable rated lighting will ensure a safe, inviting environment for your daily routines alongside your peace of mind. Submerge in a world of relaxation with a warm bath on a cold winter night, stress-free, because you made the right choice with IOS Lighting.