Bathroom Downlighters and Zones

gafin · Apr 15, 2009

Hi All,

I'm at the start of my 2330, so please forgive the question.

I've got 4 x 12V 50W downlights in my bathroom ceiling at home, they are all fire rated, but are IP20.

I know that lighting with IPX4 has to be used in Zones 1 and 2, but the downlighter is 1.3m off the floor level, so outside of the zones.

So as reg 701.414.4.5 (ii) says that a SELF/PELV circuit has to be IP XXB or IP2X am I right in thinking that this is okay?

The closest source of water to the light is a shower head thats not fixed, that comes off a mixer tap. I know it would be best to change all the downlighters to atleast IP44 and firerated but that is quite costly if you dont want one where the lamp sits about an inch away so gives a very narrow beam.

Photo is attached for clarification!

Thanks in advance!

Gafin.

daver · Apr 15, 2009

All irrelevant as they are low volt. The 240 is out of all the zones.

DHES-LTD · Apr 15, 2009

Do you mean 2300mm from floor level?

gafin · Apr 15, 2009

Apologies, yes I did otherwise that would be a very small bathroom!

So as it's 12v it's okay?

daver · Apr 15, 2009

gafin said:
Apologies, yes I did otherwise that would be a very small bathroom!

So as it's 12v it's okay?

Only SELV equipment not exceeding 12v ac or 30v dc is permitted in zone 0. The SELV equipment must be fixed and permanently connected with the transformer and isolator outside zones 0, 1 & 2. 701.55

Dave

spark1 · Apr 16, 2009

Gafin, its not clear from your pic whether the light is over the shower screen or inside of it,or outside of it.....if any of the first two then it is a possibilty that it could receive inadvertant spray from the unfixed shower head. In these instances it would require protection from external influences....i.e. to IP X5

gafin · Apr 17, 2009

My apologies for the unclear pic, the light is just to the right hand side of the shower screen.

sparkysean · Apr 17, 2009

i would change them to IP44 , i put them in all bathrooms. It would be safe and legal but in your own home you gotta go for the best mode of protection.

daver · Apr 17, 2009

Guys, we are just confusing Gafin. I have quoted the regulation which we can all read. As long as the transformers are fixed in the loft so we cant pull them through the hole whilst having a shower, then it is fine as is.

Its a selv circuit.

sparkysean · Apr 17, 2009

What would you put in your bathroom david?

just wondering mate, no beef of course we're all obviously being as pro as poss.

h

daver · Apr 18, 2009

From my understanding of his initial question, he was asking "are his IP20 lights" safe and if not what should he replace them with.

I gave him the simple answer with the regulation. If he was changing them for his own piece of mind, then I would follow what he says and would do the same in my home.

With his ceiling at 2.3M he could put a 240V fan above the shower (providing its RCD protected and ip x4) so which is the greater evil, the 12V light in or the 240V fan.

Sometimes, to many answers just confuse the initial question.

no beef of course we're all obviously being as pro as poss

WILLRUK · Apr 18, 2009

Zone 0 is inside the bath tub.

BRB page 169 section (a)

daver · Apr 18, 2009

WILLRUK said:
Zone 0 is inside the bath tub.

BRB page 169 section (a)

Zone 1 is also in the bathtub, 2.25M off the floor level

scotsparky · Apr 18, 2009

If its a selv circuit and the transformers in the loft as well as the fittings being above 2.25M from Finnished floor level there out of zone no problems. I assume the swith is outside bathroom door.

Very good diagram on BRG p169 showing zones.
also Reg. 701.512.3

I agree with dave

Besides i have them