Lights above a shower enclosure

[Dxc712]

Hello

I'm going to have a new bathroom fitted with a new shower enclosure.

Is it safe to have a light above the shower enclosure and, if so, is a specific type of light or fitting needed?

Thanks

[Neelix]

Really ?

[Dxc712]

Really ?

I would have thought that it wasn't safe but I thought I'd ask on here.

I've never had a shower enclosure. The shower is over the bath.

There's only one light in my bathroom and it's to the side of the shower rather than above it.

I've looked online and it does seem to be very common (so apologies for the silly question!)

I was thinking of having five lights in total in my bathroom.

Does a wet rated light need to have a certain fixture around it to make it safe and, if so, would all five lights need the same fixture so that the one over the shower didn't stand out as looking different or for giving off a different amount of light?

[aeromech3]

My 3.5 x 2.5mtr bathroom had only one central light, a glass shade metal thing, expect it was a rose before that, I just changed it to a flush LCD, was impressed, so fitted a flush LCD in the ceiling above the shower, the ceiling height is +2.25mtr above Floor (which strikes me as strange as my shower tray is elevated about 18mm); lamp rating IP44 is ok, for this zone 2; very impressed with light and would not need more, in fact for those night time trips I have a simple night light, so as not to wake me too much.
Additional my CU has 30mA RCD for lighting circuits, and others, bathroom light switch is pull cord at more than 0.6mtr from shower and basin.

[ericmark]

701.512.2 External influences
Installed electrical equipment shall have at least the following degrees of protection:
(i) In zone 0: IPX7
(ii) In zones 1 and 2: IPX4.
This requirement does not apply to shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 installed in zone 2 and
located where direct spray from showers is unlikely.
Electrical equipment exposed to water jets, e.g. for cleaning purposes, shall have a degree of protection of at least IPX5.

I have questioned lights with IPX4 as the bulbs I have are not marked with the IP rating. It was clear with a quart bulb the glass envelope is hermetically sealed, but LED bulbs have in the main a plastic envelope which may allow water to be sucked into it as it cools down. However as long as RCD protection is in place I see no danger to personal.

[aeromech3]

a flush LCD, was impressed, so fitted a flush LCD in the ceiling above the shower,

Senior moment to be more precise should be LED not LCD!

[ericmark]

Fan with light.jpg (6.32 KiB) Viewed 473 times

These were popular at one point, the lamp was 12 volts, today just 3 watt, and the extract needs to be directly above the shower, one does not want to draw water vapour into the rest of the bathroom. But is it going to last is the real question. There is no danger as such with just 12 volts, but my mother's failed even before the LABC inspector had visited.

I was rather surprised to find out converting a toilet and pantry into a wet room needed planning permission, it seems bathrooms, and kitchens are considered special locations, so to convert a room to become a bathroom or kitchen needs planning consent.

The LABC inspector insisted on a fan, even when we had an opening window, which was switched off after he left and never used again. He totally missed the door lintel was not supported on one end. My advice is submitting a detailed plan, mark lights at 12 or 230 volts, and as IPX4 etc. This means no unexpected problems, if he accepts the plan, then too late after saying I want 12 volts there.

He visited once, we said what we would do, I showed him my qualifications, and my test equipment, he agreed I could do the electrics, I wrote out the installation certificate, delivered it to the shire hall, and the completion certificate arrived in the post. Odd son also had C&G 2391, but the inspector would not allow him to do the electrical work, it had to be me, with a FDeng behind my name. Not that my degree taught me about inspection and testing, the C&G 2391 did that.

[Dxc712]

Thanks for the responses.

My bathroom is L-shaped. It's rectangular if you include the airing cupboard on the left hand side as you enter the bathroom.

I was thinking of five downlights:

- three over the longer side of the bathroom

- two over the shorter side, one of which would be over the shower

Can anyone suggest what type of lights I would need for this?

Thanks

[Dxc712]

Would IP65 lights be suitable?

I've heard that they provide protection against dust and water.

Would it be best for all five lights to be IP65?

I didn't know if only having an IP65 light over the shower enclosure would stand out if it looked noticeably different from the other lights.

[Someone-Else]

IP65 means it can withstand dust and low pressure jets of water, so yes, suitable for a shower. If you are buying one, might as well have them all IP65 that way none will look "odd"

A useless fact: IP stands for Ingress Protection.

Oh, I would suggest JCC downlights Click me

Are YOU installing them?

[Dxc712]

If you are buying one, might as well have them all IP65 that way none will look "odd"

Thanks. That's what I thought.

A useless fact: IP stands for Ingress Protection.

I would call it a relevant fact, certainly not a useless one.

Oh, I would suggest JCC downlights [url=<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/J ... _wcB</span>] Click me [/url]

Thanks. I'll look into it.

Are YOU installing them?

No, the bathroom fitter will be installing them.

I'll probably have a plasterboard ceiling. Is it OK to install IP65 lights into plasterboard ceiling?

[Someone-Else]

Is it OK to install IP65 lights into plasterboard ceiling?

Why do you think it would not be ok?

[Dxc712]

Is it OK to install IP65 lights into plasterboard ceiling?

Why do you think it would not be ok?

I'm not saying that it wouldn't be OK. I don't know whether it is or not which is why I was asking.

For example, there may be some safety issue that I'm not aware of.

I presume from your answer that IP65 lights can be installed into a plasterboard ceiling without any of these concerns.

Is that correct?

[Neelix]

qre YOU installing them?

No, the bathroom fitter will be installing them.

[Neelix]

qre YOU installing them?

No, the bathroom fitter will be installing them.

oh dear. Such fitters have little or no regard for electrical regulations

And don't fit sealed units - they will fail and you will have to replace the entire unit