Ghid 07Bathroom

Bathroom lighting: protection zones and IP code

Water and electricity meet in the bathroom more often than anywhere else in the house. The IP code tells you how well a light fixture is protected, while the zones tell you where you need what level of protection.

6 min de citit

Composition

Bathroom with the right lighting

The bathtub and shower define the zones, LED mirrors are outside them or have the right protection. The Vérité mirror has IP44, the cabinet mirror and sink have IP65.

Hydromassage bathtub 170 × 80 €3.178,95

Walk-in screen 90 × 120 €581,95

225 cmthe height of zones 1 and 2, from the floor

Vérité LED Mirror 120 × 80 €329,95

Mirror with cabinet and sink €387,95

În compoziție

IPX7

Zone 0
The inside of the bathtub or shower tray. 12 V units only.
IPX4

Zones 1 and 2
Above the bathtub and another 60 cm around it, up to a height of 225 cm.
60cm

Zone 2
Horizontal distance beyond the edge of the tub or shower.

Cross-section through a bathtub: protection zones.

Sketch

Zones 0, 1 and 2

Zone 0 is the inside of the bath or shower tray. Zone 1 is the space above it, up to 225 cm. Zone 2 extends a further 60 cm around zone 1.

The zones are defined by the European standard for electrical installations in bathrooms (HD 60364-7-701), adopted into the Romanian standard I7.

What the IP code means

IP stands for “Ingress Protection” and consists of two digits. The first indicates protection against dust and solid objects (0–6), the second protection against water (0–8). An “X” means that the protection has not been tested.

Code	Water protection	Where it is used
IP20	none	dry rooms: living room, bedroom, hallway
IP44	splashes from any direction	bathroom, zones 1 and 2, near the sink
IP65	water jets	above the shower, covered outdoors
IPX7	temporary immersion	zone 0, inside the bath

Protection zones

Zone 0: inside the bath or shower tray. Only extra-low voltage equipment (12 V), with IPX7.
Zone 1: above the bath or shower, up to 225 cm from the floor. Minimum IPX4; IPX5 if the area is cleaned with a water jet.
Zone 2: another 60 cm around zone 1, also up to 225 cm. Minimum IPX4.
Outside the zones: there is no special requirement, but IP44 is recommended for any light fixture in the bathroom.

Walk-in shower

In a shower without a tray, zone 1 is measured from the trap or the fixed shower screen: it has a radius of 120 cm around them. Therefore, in walk-in showers, the protected area is larger than it appears.

LED mirrors

An LED mirror is a light fixture. If it is next to the sink, outside zones 1 and 2, IP44 is sufficient. If the mirror extends into zone 2 (for example, next to the bath), IP44 is the mandatory minimum. Check the IP code in the specifications of each mirror.

Installation safety

Bathroom circuits are protected by a 30 mA residual current circuit breaker.
Switches and sockets are located outside zones 0, 1 and 2.
Installation is carried out by an ANRE-authorized electrician, who also checks the earthing.

Designer's tip: plan the bathroom lighting before tiling. The mirror box, wall lights and ceiling spotlights are positioned on the plan with the zones drawn.

Common mistakes

IP20 spotlights above the shower.
LED mirror without an IP code, mounted next to the bath.
The switch inside the bathroom, within reach from the shower.

From the store

Products suitable for this guide

Stoc epuizat BK006/1000X700 LED Mirror

MotionGlow LED Mirror with Defogger System, Thermometer and Clock, Gold-Painted Round Frame, 100 cm Diameter, Cool/Warm/Neutral Dimmable Light, Marcello Funghi Collection

€331,95

Checklist

Before you order

Five quick checks to ensure the product you choose is right the first time.

I have drawn zones 0, 1, and 2 on the bathroom plan.
The enclosures in zones 1 and 2 have at least IPX4.
The LED mirror has the IP code listed in the specifications.
The switches and outlets are outside the zones.
The installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician, with a 30 mA residual current device.