What IP rating is needed in a bathroom?

BOOST YOUR IP IQ: PART III

Welcome back to our series ‘Boost your IP IQ’!

If you’re undertaking a renovation project or injecting your own style into a new build home, then selecting the right new lighting should be a top priority.

You will soon discover, however, that not all lighting fixtures will be suitable for bathrooms, shower rooms and wetrooms. That’s because they need the right ingress protection, or IP for short.

To help you become confident on all things IP-related, we’re taking a few minutes to answer the Internet’s biggest questions on IP. And today, we’re chatting about Zones…

Question 1: ‘What IP rating is needed in a bathroom?’

There are a range of IP protections to suit a variety of needs – from sprays to splashes, all the way up to full immersion. The IP rating you’ll need depends on whether the lighting will be positioned  – in Zones 0, 1 or 2.

Lighting positioned near a sink, shower or bath, where splashes or sprays are inevitable, will require a high level of IP, or Ingress Protection, as these are in Zones 1 or 2.

While no IP rating is required for lighting outside of Zones 0 to 2, it’s often recommended by electricians that lighting fixtures of IP44 rating or better are installed in any bathroom interiors to help protect the longevity of the lighting and to ensure the highest level of safety in your home.

Question 2: ‘What IP rating do I need for Zone 1?’

When it comes to bathroom lighting, the requisite IP rating is determined by measuring its proximity to a water source or receptacle. Spaces directly above a shower or bath are considered Zone 1 while those within 60cm of a water source or receptacle are Zone 2. Both Zones require a rating of at least IPX4 (so IP44 is acceptable).

However, Zone 1 is special because if the light uses a 230V supply, a 30ma RCD (residual current device) must be used to protect the circuit.

Luckily, you won’t have to compromise on style to find a fantastic IP44-rated lighting option. Check out some of our most popular bathroom pendant & wall lights available now…