Discuss IP20 in Bathroom Zone 1 in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Welcome to ElectriciansForums.net - The American Electrical Advice Forum
Head straight to the main forums to chat by click here:   American Electrical Advice Forum

D

Deleted member 99376

I'm hoping for a bit of advice from the experts here.

Our electrician has fitted an IP20 rated downlight above the shower in our new bathroom. He says this is fine as the GU10 LED bulb is a sealed unit and therefore "won't explode."

I'm not convinced that it's entirely safe as I would expect an IP44 rated fitting as an absolute minimum. That said, I'm far from being an expert so may well be mistaken.
 
The IP rating is more to do with the water-tightness than whether it will explode and cover you in glass or not. I think he may be confused.
 
If it is definitely in zone 1 (e.g. less than 2.25m from finished floor level) that is definitely a no no. If isn't in zone 1 I'd still say (unless you've got high ceilings and a powerful extractor) it's a bodge as it's not suitable for the environment. With regards to the gu10 being sealed meaning it's safe he is clearly talking out of a certain unpleasant orifice, or doesn't know his onions. Needs to be at least IPX4 if in zone one and I'd apply the same even if it's just above zone 1.
 
Wow! Many thanks for all the replies.

Our ceilings are 2.3m. Does the shower tray come into the measurement or is it the actual floor?

The shower is a three way job with a 30cm square fixed head, small detachable head on a hose and adjustable jets. I don't think it would take much effort to squirt water into the downlight.
 
The electrician's not budging so I feel a trip to Screwfix coming on. Thankfully, I have enough knowledge to swap them over myself.
 
Well you have taken your concerns to the electrician with no joy so you could take it up with them as they are there for the consumers benefit.
 
Those fittings are not suitable for the environment as there are detachable shower heads and the presence of rising water vapour.

As westward says, get the NICEIC called and tell them that the electrician is refusing to do the job properly and you are dissatisfied.
 
It would be interesting if you could safely remove from the ceiling to see how he connected it.
 
Is he actually correct about its rating if its a sealed unit I would expect it to be IPX4 or is it just the LED bulb you speak of? And is it 230v or 12v? And do you have RCD protection?
 
The electrician's not budging so I feel a trip to Screwfix coming on. Thankfully, I have enough knowledge to swap them over myself.
This one is my current fav, but it does need a bezel :)
http://www.screwflix..com/p/enlite-fire-rated-fixed-e8-led-downlight-ip65-white-8w/5761j
 
Whilst the 2.25 m rule does have some sense, I never fit non IP rated lights in bathrooms

Have you paid him? Did he give you a certificate?
 
Is he actually correct about its rating if its a sealed unit I would expect it to be IPX4 or is it just the LED bulb you speak of? And is it 230v or 12v? And do you have RCD protection?

Says gu10 in op.
 

Reply to IP20 in Bathroom Zone 1 in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

Electrical Forum

Welcome to the Electrical Forum at ElectriciansForums.net. The friendliest electrical forum online. General electrical questions and answers can be found in the electrical forum.
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock