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What is an IP rating?
A: IP Ratings Explained
An “IP” or Ingress Protection rating is an objects or in this case a light fittings resistance to ingression or penetration by either a foreign body (e.g. tools, fingers, dust etc) and/or liquids or vapour.
The First digit in an IP rating (IP4X), relates to protection against ingress of foreign bodies (e.g. tools, fingers, dust etc)
The second digit in an IP rating (IPX4), relates to protection against ingress of liquids or vapours. (e.g. IP44 is protection against solid objects greater than 1mm and water splashed from all directions).
Here is the table of digits explained:
First digit: foreign bodies Second Digit: Liquids
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0 |
No protection |
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0 |
No protection |
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1 |
Solids greater than 50mm |
Hand or body part |
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1 |
Vertically falling drops of water |
Condensation |
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2 |
Solids greater than 12mm |
Fingers etc |
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2 |
Falling water at angle up to 15°
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Dripping water |
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3 |
Solids greater than 2.5mm |
Tools, thick wire |
|
3 |
Sprays of water up to 60°
|
Light Rain
|
|
4 |
Solids greater than 1mm |
Small tools & wires |
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4 |
Splashing water from any direction |
Heavy rain |
|
5 |
Limited ingress of dust |
|
|
5 |
Low pressure water jets |
Hose |
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6 |
Total protection against dust |
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6 |
Powerful jets from all direction |
Cleaning equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
Immersion up to 1m |
Pond |
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|
|
|
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8 |
Immersion beyond 1m |
Swimming pools |
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What are the lighting regulations for Bathrooms?
A: Bathroom Lighting Regulations
Great care needs to be taken when choosing bathroom lighting as the regulations are strict concerning the type of light you can use.
The flowing information should answer most of your bathroom lighting questions. You'll also find links to our vast bathroom lighting ranges.
The bathroom mirror deserves some special attention and a diffused glass light either side will give a good general illumination where it is needed. The alternative is a halogen downlight from the ceiling or fluorescent strip light over the mirror.
Most of our Mirrors incorporate lights into the mirrors themselves with sections of the reflective surface removed and lights fitted behind them. This is a very effective way of generating an even light and improving safety.
You may also install wall lights which can be switched seperatly, depending on wiring, for mood lighting and enhancing light around non-illuminated mirrors.
For general illumination in the rest of the bathroom either use recessed downlights for their refreshing halogen colour or a ceiling fitting to suit the dècor.
Portable lights are not permitted in a bathroom so for mood lighting use ceiling mounted directional spotlights aimed away from the bath and at interesting features. A dimmer switch is often useful for creating mood lighting in your bathroom.
Lighting for showers are available and must be carefully fitted according to the instructions.
The following information is a guide to help you understand what fittings can be placed where. This is not an installation guide and reference should be made to the IEE Wiring Regulations (16th Edition) or a qualified electrician.
Bathroom Zones Explained
Firstly it is important to understand the rating by which bathroom and some outdoor lights are classified. IP rating stands for ‘Ingress Protection’ and is always followed by two characters. These two numbers refer to level of protection and it is important that you choose fittings with the correct rating according to where they are to be sited within the bathroom.
Zone O is inside the bath or shower itself. Any fitting used in this zone must be low voltage, (max 12v) and be rated at least IP67 which is total immersion proof.
Zone 1 is the area above the bath to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP44 is required. If the fitting is 240v a 30ma residual current device (RCD) must also be used to protect the circuit in this zone.
Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is required. In addition it is good practice to consider the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap to be considered as zone 2.
Zone 3 is anywhere outside zones 0,1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. An IP rating of IP20+ is required.
In addition to the above, if there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purpose in zones 1,2 and 3 a fitting rated a minimum IP65 must be used. Full details can be found in the latest copy of the IEE wiring regulations.
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What's happening to my light bulbs in September 2009?
•All frosted or pearl incandescent tungsten light bulbs will no longer be manufactured (candle, golf ball & GLS shape) and Clear tungsten light bulbs in all wattages over 80 watt. These will eventually run out due to unavailability.
•Only Clear bulbs will be available in 15, 25, 40, 60 and 75 watt until September 2010 when they will be banned.
What are the alternatives?
•CFL’s (compact fluorescent lamps); up to 80% energy saving
•New halogen element technology lamps; up to 30% energy saving
For more information see the following links
ESB
Department of the Environment
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What is Falks Lightings web security policy?
Falks Lighting uses a payment processing company to check the authenticity of all cards being used on the website.
When you are paying you are redirected to the RealAuth application on a secure payments server hosted by a company called Realex. The page will still look like you are in the Falks Lighting website.
RealAuth will contact our merchant service company to ensure funds are available on the card and that the card is valid. Then it proceeds to process the payment. This all happens in real time just like you are paying for the goods at a till in a shop.
Falks Lighting strives to maintain a secure website and protect its users and itself with the most up to date technology. No information given is shared with a third party and card details are kept secure.
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What is the difference between Mains (230V) voltage downlights and low voltage (12V) downlights?
We are asked this question a lot!!
Starting with the simple explanation; Mains voltage (230V) downlights do not require a transformer to function, they take their power directly from the mains, hence the name. Low voltage, 12V or LV downlights require a transformer to step down the voltage from 230V to 12V.
Benefits of Mains Voltage:
- No Transformer required
- If the bulb has blown, you know that is what need to be replaced.
- Flexibility; There are many different types of bulbs available for mains voltage down lights as apposed to low voltage; for example GU10 LEDs, GU10 CFL(compact fluorescent lamps)
- You can put the GU10 CFL bulbs or GU10 LED in to almost any downlight by simply buying the bulb and a GU10 lamp holder.
Benefits of Low Voltage:
- Light output is greater than the Mains voltage lamps
- There are popular energy saving lamps available like the 12V IRC (infra-red coated) lamp. This bulb uses 35W but gives you the light output of a 50W, delivering 30% energy saving.
- With halogen lamps, low voltage tend to last a lot longer, sometimes up to twice as long.
If there are more questions you have about the two type of light sources please fill in the contact us form and we would be glad to answer.
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