Bathroom Zones
- Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower. Any fittings used here must be SELV (max 12V). AC or 30v ripple-free DC is permitted where the source is outside zones 0, 1 and 2. A minimum IP rating of IPx7 is required.
- Zone 1 is above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m. A minimum IP rating of IPx4 is required, or SELV (max 12V) with the source being outside zones 0, 1 and 2.
- Zone 2 is the area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above the bath or shower if over 2.25m. An IP rating of at least IPx4 is required, or SELV (max 12V) with the source being outside zones 0, 1 and 2.
- Zone 3 does not apply in the current regulations.
- Zone 3 The IEE Regulations do not make specific reference to wash basins but in the opinion of The Lighting Association they should be treated as Zone 2 (i.e. IPx4)
IP (Ingress Protection) Ratings
PellentesqueEN 60529 outlines an international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies (i.e. tools, dust, fingers) and moisture. This classification system utilises the letters "IP" ("Ingress Protection") followed by two or three digits. (A third digit is sometimes used. An "x" is used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPX4 which addresses moisture resistance only.)
First Digit - Protection against Foreign Bodies, Solids
The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree that persons are protected against contact with moving parts (other than smooth rotating shafts, etc.) and the degree that equipment is protected against solid foreign bodies intruding into an enclosure.
| 0 | No special protection. |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protection from a large part of the body such as a hand (but no protection from deliberate access); from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter. |
| 2 | Protection against fingers or other object not greater than 80mm in length and 12mm in diameter. |
| 3 | Protection from entry by tools, wires, etc., with a diameter of thickness greater than 1.0mm. |
| 4 | Protection from entry by solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 1.0mm. |
| 5 | Protection from entry by solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 1.0mm. |
| 6 | Dust tight. |
Second Digit - Protection against Water, Liquids
The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture (e.g. dripping, spraying, submersion, etc.)
| 0 | No special protection. |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protection from dripping water. |
| 2 | Protection from vertically dripping water. |
| 3 | Protection from sprayed water. |
| 4 | Protection from sprayed water. |
| 5 | Protection from water projected from a nozzle. |
| 6 | Protection against heavy seas, or powerful jets of water. |
| 7 | Protection against immersion. |
| 8 | Protection against complete, continuous submersion in water. |
Submersion depth and time must be specified by the end-user. The requirement must be more onerous than IP67
Third Digit - Protection against Impact
The optional third digit indicates the degree of protection from impact (e.g. dropping, etc.) and is normally shown in the form: IPxx (i)
where i is the level of impact protection (0-6)
| 0 | No special protection. |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against 0.225J impact, eg. 150g weight falling from 15cm height. |
| 2 | Protected against 0.375J impact, eg. 250g weight falling from 15cm height. |
| 3 | Protected against 0.5J impact, eg. 250g weight falling from 20cm height. |
| 4 | Protected against 2.0J impact, eg. 500g weight falling from 40cm height. |
| 5 | Protected against 6.0J impact, eg. 0.61183kg weight falling from 1m height. |
| 6 | Protected against 20.0J impact, eg. 2.0394kg weight falling from 1m height. |