PLACEMENT OF LIGHTS IN THE BATHROOM
When placing lights in your bathroom, there are some things you need to be aware of. Where can the lamps be hung in relation to moisture and what degree of tightness (IP code) should they have. If your room is higher than 2.25 m, you can install all lamps that have a minimum IPX0 rating. The lamp should hang at least 120 cm from the shower head and at least 60 cm from the bathtub. However, if your room is smaller than 2.25 m, or if you want lighting closer to your shower or bathtub, the luminaires need a higher density rating.
**The different zones of the bathroom
Depending on where in your bathroom you want to install a lamp, there are different requirements for the tightness of the lamp. The tightness rating (also called IP rating) is used to indicate the lamp's ability to protect against ingress of water, dust or accidental contact. As illustrated below, the bathroom is divided into different zones:
- Zone 0ː IP(X)7
- Zone 1ː IP(X)4
- Zone 2ː IP(X)4
- Zone 3ː IP(X)0
**When should the electrician be called?
You can install lamps yourself in Zone 3, where there is no requirement for an authorized electrician to install electrical installations, including lamps. However, if you need lighting around your bathtub or in the shower (Zone 0, 1 and 2), you need to contact your electrician.
If you are installing an electrical outlet in the bathroom, please note that no electrical outlets or other switching equipment may be installed in Zone 0. In Zone 1 and 2 only circuit breakers may be installed in SELV circuits with a nominal voltage not exceeding 12V AC voltage (power value) or 30V ripple-free DC voltage. The power source must be placed outside areas 0, 1 and 2. In Zone 3, sockets, switches and other switchgear may only be installed if they are protected by a separate circuit, protected by SELV or protected by a residual current device with a rated tripping current not exceeding 30mA (HFI or HPFI circuit breaker, in homes however HPFI circuit breaker).
We always recommend that you contact your electrician if you have any doubts about installing lights and other electrical installations in your bathroom.