Bathroom Light

1) What are the requirements for a bathroom light?

Bathrooms are tough environments for electrical equipment. Water and electrics do not mix. Bathroom lighting has a few criteria to fulfil due to its harsh environment and added risk of electric shock to persons using the equipment within that environment. The BATHROOM LIGHT should:

• Have the correct IP rating
• Be easy to install
• Be sufficiently bright for the area
• Possibly Be 12 Volt (Extra Low Voltage) (Check local regulations at the time)

2) What is the Correct IP Rating?

The Ingress Protection rating is a value that is given to electrical equipment based on its ability to prevent the ingress of liquids and solids. The IP rating is written using the letters (IP) followed by two numbers such as, IP68. 

The first number after the IP letters ranges from 1 to 6 and relates to the ability of the enclosure to prevent solids entering. The second number ranges from 1 to 8 and indicates the ability of the enclosure to prevent liquids entering. 

Equipment that is rated at IP68 is suitable for installation and submersion in water whilst also considering manufacturers instructions. IP68 rated equipment is the absolute best at preventing ingress of water and solids. 

IP11 rated equipment would have very little protection from water and solid objects entering the enclosure.

3) Be Easy to Install

Electrical equipment should be easy to install to facilitate a quality installation when completed. Very decorative light fixtures tend to have minimal room for wiring and fixings which makes them very difficult or impossible to install with certain types of wiring systems. The manufacturer of these products focuses on the aesthetic and NOT the ease of installation. 

Lighting in a bathroom should not only be suitable for its environment but also easy to install for the electrician such that damage to surroundings is unlikely to occur and any future repairs can be carried out with ease. By talking with your electrician, you should be able to find an aesthetically pleasing solution which is also able to be installed with ease. 

4) Be Sufficiently Bright for the Area

Bathrooms are typically tiled areas and this can have the effect of either reflecting light and improving visibility or swallowing the light if the tiles are darker for instance. A lot of bathrooms also do not have windows as they are sometimes built in the centre of the property. 

Ensuring that your chosen bathroom light has the required output is vital when choosing the fixture. People in general need more light in the bathroom than in other areas in the home, it’s not easy to get clean and ready to leave the house in the dark! 

Your electrician will be able to discuss the correct wattage and light output (lumens) of the fittings with you for your particular project.

5) Should be 12 Volt, possibly….

Check the local wiring regulations in your territory and speak with your electrician. 

Some regulations may stipulate that the lighting in the bathroom should be of extra low voltage i.e. less than 50 volts.  This is for additional protection against electric shock as the lower the voltage, generally the safer the situation will be and the lower the risk of shocks. 

Your local regulations may stipulate that the bathroom lighting simply needs to have electric shock protection installed at the source (trip switch box, electrical panel, consumer unit) and should also be suitably IP rated for the zone in which it will be installed. 
 

6) I think my bathroom light is broken can you come and look?

We are always happy to attend your property to examine anything that may need sorting out. If you are worried about your bathroom light then give us a call and we will assist you. If you would like us to check why the light is faulty then we are happy to do this at our minimum charge for you. Whilst on site we can repair or replace the light if it is necessary or simply disconnect the light fitting and make safe if it appears that the light fitting itself is faulty.

7) How much is it to install a new bathroom light?

Normally this would be covered under our minimum charge. It does of course very much depend on what is needed to install the light fitting. A simple fitting is straight-forward and easy to replace requiring minimal installation and some electrical safety testing afterwards as required. If however you have several bathroom down-lighters that need to be installed where there are no lights currently then we will need to extend a circuit, issue a building control notification and produce the relevant electrical certificate for you by carrying out this work. This involves some more cost and this will be reflected in our quote. It is best to contact us to confirm the light fitting that needs installing and we will be happy to provide an estimate over the phone or a quote if possible.

8) My bathroom light is brand new and after it was installed it is not working…

Oh dear. Sounds like there may have been an installation problem. If the light has not worked since it has been installed. You would need us to come and check the wiring for you to see what has gone wrong. It may be that the product itself I.e. the light is faulty and requires replacing under warranty. If your bathroom light has broken internal components then it will not function correctly. Many light fittings are not serviceable and do not have parts that can be replaced, as such if one component fails then it is often the case that the whole fitting has to be replaced. We will be able to tell you from a couple of good photographs what needs to be done.

9) I want extra light in my bathroom is this something you can do?

Yes, additional lighting points in your bathroom are nearly always possible.  You may wish to convert from a single point bathroom light to several downlights for example. This work can be carried out in most bathrooms. Ensure that the correct electrical documentation is issued, proving that the work has been carried out correctly and in accordance with the relevant wiring and building regulations. 

Your electrician can advise on the best type of fittings or you can supply your own preferred fittings for them to install. Just make sure the fittings are suitable for the installed environment prior to purchasing them. 

When converting from a single light to several new lights, the electrical circuit is being added to or extended. 

This work can involve notification to building control (UK) along with the completion of the relevant electrical certificate. This does add to the costs but it is a way of ensuring the work is carried out safely and in accordance with all building and wiring regulations. It pays to have a job done properly first time than to avoid having a job done twice!
 

10) I have several down-lights in the bathroom but some of them are not working?

This is quite a common situation and requires some investigation. It could be for instance that a lamp has failed in each of the affected fittings or it could be a case of the driver or transformer failing on the light fitting. On occasion a light that will not turn on could be caused by a faulty cable or loose connections. Your local electrician should be able to investigate this for you and there is more information on our site. 

Check our Faulty Downlights information for further advice.
 

11) All my lights are working but not my bathroom light?

This is a common situation. We would need to come out and carry out fault finding, chargeable by the hour but normally relatively quick for this type of fault. We specialise in investigations and fault finding works and can normally resolve most issues within an hour or two. There can be several things wrong when this type of fault occurs and it can be dangerous to investigate yourself so if your bathroom light is not working correctly then please call the professionals.

12) Can you fit any light in my bathroom?

No, it would have to be a light that is suitable and safe for installation in the bathroom. It would have to be suitably IP rated for its installed environment and be able to withstand the moisture, heat and general wear and tear of the bathroom environment. The manufacturer of the light and your electrician would be the best people to speak with regarding your electrical needs in the bathroom. Regulations will vary by area and territory so ensure that these are followed.  

If you're interested, give us a call today.