Waterproof lamps for the bathroom

A bathroom, like all other rooms in a house or apartment, needs good lighting. Here are just high humidity in it and an excess of steam often make lighting devices unusable. In addition, sometimes it is simply dangerous to install them here because of the threat of electric shock. But do not be upset or worried because of their safety, because today there are special waterproof lamps for the bathroom on the market.

As a rule, such special waterproof lamps look almost the same as ordinary ones, but they have a number of design features.

First of all, such products are characterized by a dense canopy, which simply cannot be removed by hand without the use of tools. Typically, ceiling lamps have a matte color. When tapping, they make deaf sounds.Such a protective cover is the first factor that ensures the moisture resistance of the lamp itself.

Also, it is imperative that such moisture-proof lighting devices have hermetic seals at the joints of the connection of parts of the lamp, made of rubber. This design provides additional protection against water.

Another design feature of such devices for lighting a bathroom is that all their parts inside, placed under the protective canopy themselves, also have special protection from moisture.

There are more modern models that are protected not only from the negative effects of water, but also dust and dirt. This lamp is called dust and moisture proof. On the surface of the ceiling of such models or there is a special coating, or the ceiling itself is made of a material that repels dust particles.

There is another feature that is the presence of a special marking of the degree of protection of the lamp from water. Such waterproof devices are divided into several categories depending on how effectively and safely they can work in conditions of high humidity.More details about this parameter will be described below.

The design features of such devices include the type of their power supply. There are models that work as well as ordinary lamps, that is, from connecting to the electrical network, but there are also those that do not need a wire at all for operation.

All these design features make waterproof lamps not only very popular with customers, but also safe for their use.

Those people who have not experienced the watertight bathroom lighting fixtures on their own experience are interested in exactly what advantages they will get by starting to use them. Just want to say that the advantages of such devices are many, but among all of them you can select the most basic ones:

• Safety is the most important advantage. Regardless of whether you have a bathroom or a shower, you don’t have to worry about a broken light bulb, a circuit of electricity and some other problems. You can choose sealed lamps with the highest degree of moisture resistance, which will work even after they get a strong jet of water.
• Damage resistance. Due to the fact that such lighting fixtures are made of modern types of plastic and glass, they are almost immune to shocks. Therefore, it is not necessary to worry about the safety of the protective glass in the event of an accidental impact on the device.
• Durability. Due to the unique design of such lamps are protected from short circuit, and the manufacturer guarantees them a long service life.

• A wide variety of models and types of moisture-proof lighting fixtures for the bathroom allows you to choose the best option for any room.
• It is possible to organize diverse lighting. Using such devices it is possible to arrange a point light in the bathroom, floor or wall. For example, for the bathing of a child, you can use additional lamps or light bulbs, and when bathing adults, abandon them.
• Affordable cost and ease of use - perhaps one of the main advantages.

Agree that a very small number of lighting fixtures for the house have such weighty advantages. In addition to all of the above, such lamps also have anti-corrosion properties. Therefore, it is not surprising that their popularity is increasing every day.

Lamps in the bathroom must be not only waterproof, but also resistant to dust and dirt on their surface and inside. Therefore, the security index, which is denoted by two letters - IP, contains a two-digit number in which the first digit indicates the level of protection from dust, and the second one from moisture.

The degree of protection of such lighting devices from dust may be as follows:

• The number 0 means that this device has no such protection at all.
• The units denote models that have a low level of protection from objects no more than 50 mm in diameter. In this case, with a deliberate strike, such protection does not work.
• The number 2 indicates the average degree of protection against any objects larger than 12 mm.
• Troika - is evidence that the lamp has an average protection from solid objects larger than 1 cm.

It is worth noting that devices marked with such numbers are protected only from solid objects, but are not classified as dust-repellent. If on the luminaire after IP the number 4 is indicated, it means that it has an average level of dust protection. Models labeled with the number 5 are fully protected from dust inside the device itself. Plus, such a luminaire with a maximum level of dust protection is also called heat resistant, since even at high heating temperatures it retains its perfect appearance and full performance.

The second digit in the IP index indicates directly the level of protection of the device against moisture.

To decipher this figure can be as follows:

• 0 - there is no any degree of protection;
• 1 - only vertical drops in a small amount are allowed;
• 2 - allowed to hit vertically falling particles of water at an angle of fifteen degrees when turning the device;
• 3 - indicates that the model is equipped with protection against scattering splashes, while they should fall on the model either vertically or at an angle not exceeding 60 degrees;
• 4 - strong sprays under any inclination are allowed;
• The number 5 marks the fixtures that can work when a water jet directly hits them from different angles;

• 6 marked products, reliably protected from strong water jets or even waves of water;
• The number 7 indicates that the lamp, immersed in water for 100 cm for a short time, fully retains its performance both in contact with water and after it;
• 8 indicates that the lamps can operate at a depth of 100 cm with prolonged contact with water without fail, and their performance is maintained in the future.
• The number 9 denotes the most powerful devices that can work for a long time under water at high pressure at different depths. At home, such models are not used.

On the basis of such a brief description, it becomes clear that the purchased moisture-proof lamp for the house should have a marking of the type IP42, IP34, and so on.

The whole room of the bathroom can be divided into four large zones, which differ from each other in the degree of their humidity. It is necessary to install moisture-resistant lighting devices on the basis of their consideration, since the wrong choice of device for a specific zone can lead to injuries, a short circuit or, at best, incorrect operation of the device itself.

Now directly about the humidity zones themselves:

• The first category includes those areas of the room where the humidity reaches 100%. This applies to the shower stall itself or the perimeter of the bathroom. Experts allow the installation of lighting devices in such places with a capacity of not more than 12 W, while the minimum level of their protection from water should be equal to 7 units.
• The second zone of intense humidity from the wall, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the bath or cabin and has a height of at least 2 meters from them. Such zones are characterized by frequent contact with a copious amount of steam or splashes, plus the highest temperature in the entire room is often recorded. Taking into account these parameters, in the second zone it is allowed to install lighting devices with a capacity of up to 16 W and with a dust and moisture protection index from IP34 and higher.

• Zone No. 3 is a place within a radius of 60 cm from the end point of the second zone. The humidity level in this part of the room is average, since there is almost no chance of water and a large amount of steam entering the lamps. Here you can install devices with a capacity of 16 W and above, and their security index should be at least IP24.
• The fourth zone is the rest of the bathroom space. The humidity level in this part is minimal compared to other, so when choosing lighting devices, the first digit of the security index can be ignored completely, and the second should be equal to one or two.But despite this, it is not recommended to install even in this part of the room lamps, in which the lamp is not completely covered by the canopy. It is better to give preference to those models that have full surface protection from moisture in the form of a closed ceiling.

All models of fixtures sold today can be divided into several large groups depending on the possibility of changing their location. According to this attribute, moisture-proof models can be:

• Inline. Such lighting devices when designing a bathroom are pre-built into its ceiling, walls, and sometimes into the floor. If necessary, change their location is possible only by complete dismantling and re-installation of the entire site.

• Portable. Such models can be safely moved in the bathroom in any direction. The main thing is to ensure that the level of protection of the device corresponds to the area of ​​humidity of the installation.

• Standard lights - These are those that are usually located in the center of the ceiling and have one or two light bulbs. They can neither move nor change the coverage area. Such ceiling models are available in almost every bathroom.
• Overhead waterproof lamps. To some extent they can be classified as portable, because such models can be easily installed in almost all parts of the bathroom, but more often they are attached to walls or mirrors.

• Floor models usually installed in bathrooms of large areas. They allow you to create the most comfortable atmosphere and beautiful color. Such devices can work constantly, and can react to movements, that is, to light up in cases when someone walks along the floor.

• Wall mounted appliances allow you to create the most comfortable lighting in the bathroom. They completely illuminate the entire area, but at the same time in certain areas the degree of illumination is brighter, for example, near a mirror or directly the bath itself.

• Built in furniture or other interior items moisture-proof lighting. They stand out in a separate group, and their main purpose is to create more bright and intense light in a particular part.

• Lightbox - This is a lighting device that creates high-quality daylight in the bathroom, while in appearance it completely resembles an ordinary window. Most bathrooms lack real windows or they are small in size and do not give enough light. Using such a lightbox, you can not only visually improve the appearance of the room, but also create the right and high-quality lighting in it.

Waterproof lighting fixtures are divided into different groups not only by this criterion, but also by their appearance.

Thus, bathroom lamps can be in the form of a sconce, a usual lampshade with a light bulb, or a refined chandelier. To choose the appearance of such a device is necessary based on the area of ​​the room, its style, as well as personal preferences.

Do not forget that all models of waterproof lamps are divided into several types, depending on what kind of lamp installed in them. Today, manufacturers put on sale of such lighting devices of the following types:

• LED light bulbs are the most popular.Such LED lamps have a long service life, which exceeds the life of all other lamps. In the sale come in several varieties, differing from each other not only power, but also light. They may be yellow, cool white or normal daytime. Diode models in appearance are similar to the wasp cells, and all because the principle of their work consists in connecting several diodes into one.

• Fluorescent models may have a different appearance, but more often - a spiral shape. The principle of their work is that the electric current passes through the mercury vapor, as a result of which light emission appears. Such models also have a long service life and good technical characteristics, but they should be used with caution, in particular, protected from mechanical damage, otherwise mercury vapor will be outside. For their work, you do not need to install a special transformer, and their light can be yellow, daylight or blue.

• Classic incandescent lamp Today it is mainly used in conventional ceiling lights.When installing it, it is necessary to take care of purchasing a special waterproof cover, since the lamp will burst if water or steam gets on the glass. Usually the light of such bulbs is yellow. All models have a different level of light intensity.

• Halogen light bulb - This is a more modernized model of a standard incandescent lamp. It has a longer service life, and the power is higher - more than twice as compared with the previous model.

Today, bathroom lighting experts still recommend giving preference to lamps with either LEDs or fluorescent models. They are safer to use, have a long service life, as well as many options for the intensity and light of the light itself. Such a wide range allows you to pick up a light bulb in a waterproof lamp that fully meets the requirements of the buyer and is most suitable for each bathroom.

The range and model range of waterproof bathroom fixtures is quite wide, and products made by various manufacturers are on sale. It is not surprising that from such a wide range, many people simply get lost and do not know which device is to be preferred. In order to make the right choice and not be disappointed in your new lighting fixture, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the best manufacturers of waterproof lamps for the bathroom:

• Odeon. Italian lamps of this manufacturer have high technical characteristics; you can meet both ceiling and wall-ceiling models on sale. Lighting devices have a high enough power, they work from a single bulb, and the minimum area of ​​lighting is three square meters. There are models that work from three lamps. All lamps are characterized by compactness, attractive appearance, safety and durability.

• Ecola. Specializes in the manufacture and manufacture of waterproof and dustproof LED lamps.Available in the range of overhead, swivel and ceiling models. High quality and stylish appearance, as well as a wide range of models allow you to purchase the best lamp for the bathroom.

• ASD - This is another reliable manufacturer of this product. Its lamps are characterized by a variety of models, attractive appearance, affordable price, high technical characteristics and long-term operation.

• SLV. This brand also deserves the attention of buyers, like the previous three. The high quality of the raw materials used to create the luminaires ensures their long life and complete safety. Attractive appearance and various models make it possible to choose the device that is most suitable for your bathroom.

• Manufacturer from Poland Downlight lug differs in that it equips its lamps with a special canopy,which concentrates the main stream of light in one place. Therefore, these models are most suitable for creating point lighting. A wide variety of forms and types of devices allows you to choose a lamp for every taste and color. It has a rather long service life and a reasonable price.

• Under the brand Massive the strongest, durable and reliable devices are produced, the quality of which has been confirmed by numerous tests. Durability and safety are the main characteristics of the lamps of this brand. Plus, a wide range of wall-mounted, embedded and portable models is also considered the main advantage.

• Austrian company Eglo also deserves the close attention of buyers. Lamps of its production are distinguished by an unusual attractive and stylish appearance, durability, safety. Chrome wall or ceiling models can be used together with each other, or separately.

These manufacturers, according to numerous buyers, are the most reliable. Products for lighting the bathroom of their production are of high quality, durability and a wide range.

In conclusion, I would like to share some of the nuances in the selection and installation of such lighting fixtures in the bathroom.

First of all, it should be remembered that the smaller the bathroom itself, the more thoroughly the lights should be selected in it. Humidity in a small room is always higher than in a large one, so in such cases it is better to purchase instruments with a high level of moisture protection - both for the first and second moisture zones.

Do not forget that the lamp power should also be selected taking into account the area of ​​the room - the larger it is, the more powerful the device itself should be. If we talk about the light of radiation,it is better to give preference to the usual warm daylight or slightly yellow. Such colors, according to experts, are best suited for such a room.

LED models, like fluorescent ones, are considered the safest and most durable, so when choosing, first of all you should pay attention to them. About the manufacturers was described in detail above, so it is better to give preference to those that were in our review.

The choice of type of lighting should depend on the area of ​​the bathroom, the degree of its zapisannost and personal wishes.

And, of course, it is necessary to take into account the overall design of the room. The bathroom is considered a place of solitude and relaxation, so you need to pay special attention to the design and design of its lighting. There should be enough light, and the lamps should fit into the overall interior as much as possible and at the same time create a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

In general, we can say that water-resistant lamps for the bathroom - it is rather a necessity than a momentary whim.Their purchase and installation allow you to visit the bathroom with maximum comfort and safety, and a wide variety of models allows you to create the lighting of your dreams.

With the right choice and location of the luminaires, they not only help to create the right light, but they can also turn the room itself into a work of art, especially when it comes to embedded models.

You will learn about the basic rules for choosing bathroom fixtures in the next video.