IP Ratings
• Inside the bath or shower. Any fittings used here must be SELV (maximum 12 volt) and have a minimum rating of IPX7
• Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m, a minimum rating of IPX4 is required.
• The area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above the bath of shower, an IP rating of at least IPX4 is required.
• Anywhere outside of this, where water jets are not to be used for cleaning purposes, the general rules of BS7671 apply.
• Our recommendation is to use the IP65 downlights in the bathroom area to avoid steam from your shower or bath from penetrating the light fittings.
| First number (Protection against solid objects) |
Definition |
Second number (Protection against liquids) |
Definition |
| 0 |
No protection |
0 |
No protection |
| 1 |
Protected against solids objects over 50mm (e.g. accidental touch by hands |
1 |
Protected against vertically falling drops of water |
| 2 |
Protected against solids objects over 12mm (e.g. fingers) |
2 |
Protected against direct sprays up to 15° from the vertical |
| 3 |
Protected against solids objects over 2.5mm (e.g. tools and wires) |
3 |
Protected against direct sprays up to 60° from the vertical |
| 4 |
Protected against solids objects over 1mm (e.g. tools, wires and small wires |
4 |
Protected against sprays from all directions - limited ingress permitted |
| 5 |
Protected against dust - limited ingress (no harmful deposit) |
5 |
Protected against low pressure jets if water from all directions - limited ingress permitted |
| 6 |
Totally protected against dust |
6 |
Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on shipdecks - limited ingress permitted |
|
|
7 |
Protected against the effects of temporary immersion between 15cm and 1m. Duration of test 30 minutes |
|
|
8 |
Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure |