DerekJ Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 I was looking at new ceiling lights (in a UK light shop) for our bathroom in France.I was told that in the UK the light must meet a specification for lights near water. Apparently the rule applies if the fitting will be in a 2 foot distance from a water related source.eg. if a bath edge would fall within a 2 foot radius of a light fitting on the ceiling.Does anyone know if the same/similar rule applies in France.Don't misunderstand me... I'm not looking to put a light fitting immediately adjacent to a water source. The bathroom sink would be a good 2 metres away, the bath taps around 3 or more metres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sydney and Huggy Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Derek, don't know what the French regs are but in the UK they are as below. I'm pretty certain our electrician fitted a socket adjacent the handbasin to comply with the French regs although the trip has a very low rating that copes with an electric razor. I would suggest, but don't take it as gospel, that if you follow the UK examples your installation will be safe.Bathroom Lighting Zones Explained.Zone 0 refers to the interior of a bath or shower tray. Bathroom Lighting in this area must be suitable for submersion therefore carry a rating of IP67 (Immersion to 1m) or IP68 (Pressurised Immersion). In addition to this rating they must be a maximum of 12 volts and used in conjunction with a SELV transformer.Zone 1 is the area directly above the bath or shower tray to a height of 2.25m such as the inside of a shower cubicle. Fittings in this area must be splash proof therefore carry a minimum rating of IP44. If the fitting is subject to direct contact with water a higher rating of IP65 (Jet Proof) is required. An example of this type of light would be shower lights. If 240V shower lights are used they must be protected by a 30MA RCD. Zone 2 is any area in the bathroom within 60cm of the perimeter of the shower cubicle, bath or sink. Fittings in this area must be splash proof therefore carry a minimum rating of IP44. As in Zone 1 if water jets are likely to come in to contact with the fitting (i.e. cleaning purposes) IP65 should be used. Zone 3 refers to all other areas of the bathroom. Although no specific IP rating is required for this area many developers and contractors choose to install bathroom lights with a minimum rating of IP44. Legislation states bathroom lighting in this area should be fit for purpose in compliance with BS7671. The above bathroom lighting zones information is intended as a guide only. The information is based on the UK I.E.E Wiring regulations (BS7671: 2001 Section 601) which may be subject to change Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 Thanks for that. It's useful to see the UK rules in more detail. I think I'll probably opt for Zone 2 spec to be on the safe side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodle Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 When we had our bathroom suite fitted by our local french plumber he told us that he would have to move the central light fitting as it must be 2 metres distance from the bath. As we have a very small bathroom the light fitting had to go onto one of the walls which was fine by us. I also asked if I could change the light switch for a pull cord but he said that wasn't allowed. Bizarely he then said would we like a socket putting in and we agreed it was a good idea. The socket is on the wall next to the basin! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG MAC Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 The UK zoning rules are European harmonised albeit the French still have some switching funnies as I understand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 Thanks a lot for the inputs. I'll stick with the type spec.. playing safe.The ceiling fitting is one of the DCL fitting with the plug in bulb/or connector. What I want to do is replace the bulb holder/bulb with a proper fitting using the plug in connector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Guerriere Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 In a small bathroom you normally need an IP44 fitting as it will be within the 600mm zone from the deg of the bath. It does NOT have a DCL fitting as these are not splash-proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyn_paul Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 If your ceiling light is more than 60 cms away from a notional vertical line from the side of the bath then you are in the clear (zone). But the supply to this (and anything else in the bathroom) must be protected by a 30mA Disjoncteur Differential (elcb). Wall-mounted heaters etc mounted in this >60cm zone you will find are double-insulated rather than earthed. Odd but true. As you discovered, ceiling pull cord switches are unheard of over here, and there is nothing to stop you having wall lights above/either side of a washbasin, ditto a socket for as hairdryer etc provided they are in the >60 cm zone.Most of the Bricos carry DIY books on electrical installations which well illustrate the zones: some even have helpful diagrams above the shelves where you find the plugs and sockets. p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 Thanks again for the replies. I'll have a measure up when we get back there this coming Sunday. Then I'll be sure what zone will apply. La Gueriere....One question about the DCL. Currently, that is exactly what is in the ceiling.... a DCL with a bulb holder and bulb.My plan has been to remove the bulb holder and use the DCL rose to connect the new light of whatever the required spec via the DCL plugin connector. Are you saying a I can't do that if it falls within zone 2?Effectively the DCL rose/connector would be covered by the new light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Guerriere Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 See this link:http://n-tec.fr/page9.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 Thanks. I guess a measure up becomes very important. If it is within 0.6 metres then I suppose I should replace the DCL with something else before fitting the new light. Exactly what I'll have to research. I just hope it's further away than 0.6 metres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 A further question... Does the 0.6 metre rule for DCL apply only to the side of the bath (as per the illustration in the link). We have a shower cabinet as well but I'm sure that is well over 0.6 metres. Additionally, there is a washhand basin. Not sure about the distance from that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyn_paul Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 No the washbasin isn't an issue: it's only things you can stand in, soaking wet like a bath or a shower.p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted July 8, 2010 Author Share Posted July 8, 2010 [quote user="gyn_paul"]No the washbasin isn't an issue: it's only things you can stand in, soaking wet like a bath or a shower.p[/quote]That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for that.[B] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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