Need a bathroom light - no idea.

aliasojo

Was thinking about putting in several downlights but saw that they can cause condensation problems in the loft, simply because several holes in the ceiling need to be made as opposed to just one central one.. As we already have condensation problems, I'm now thinking they're not a good idea.

We already had a metal type light which has caused overheating issues so I'm a little concerned about what to get now.

Suggestions would be welcome.

mighty_mondo

hey aliasojo

downlights shouldn't cause any condensation problems in your loft, you do however need to clear away any insulation in the loft from around the downlighter fitting as they heat up quite warm

also you must be aware of the correct zones for installing lighting....a quick squizz on google should sort you out

basically you have to get a proper rated one for above any showers/baths etc and i felt it was best to install low voltage ones in my bathroom rather than 240v mains powered ones

hope this gives you a bit of a help

totalsolutions

Yep, I have 4 downlighters (+ 20 others about the house) in the bathroom and no problems, you can use upturned flowerpots to cover the lights in the loft to prevent heating to the loft insulation, not my idea but has been mentioned on here before.

aliasojo

Well assuming downlighters are back in the running for consideration......why are there specific shower versions? Why dont peeps just use all shower rated ones in their bathroom instead of several bathroom rated ones and a shower one, iyswim?

Also what's the advantages/disadvantages between mains and low voltage?

Igol

Toolstation.com has loads of IP44/45 rated showerlights at about the best prices I've seen. As for the versions its down to the zones and expense, showerlights are more expensive as they're 'splashproof'.
My kitchen has LV downlighters that cost about £8 for 3 the showerlight is around that on its own.

AdrianW2

The rules say that a shower fitting (zone 1) and those near taps or the bath (zone 2) need to be sealed against jets of water, possibly high pressure ones. That means you need better quality engineering and seals, which you'd expect to have an impact on price, aesthetics and heat dissipation. No reason you can't use sealed lights throughout.

In addition, if you use mains fittings for the shower, it has to be protected by a 30mA RCD (so your lighting circuit needs to be on an RCD, which many won't be since it's a new requirement). Dedicated shower fittings tend to be low-voltage to avoid this.

... at least that's my interpretation of the various website interpretations of the standard. You have the benefit of a tame sparky to ask.

Low voltage lighting has the advantage that even if you do touch something live with wet hands you'll hardly notice it, whereas a shock from mains will probably kill you. The disadvantage is that you need a transformer situated outside of the zones (at additional cost) and a run of low-voltage cabling. Low voltage needs higher currents for a given power, meaning you need larger cable and fuses and there's a notional increased fire risk (because of the potentially larger fault current).

usignuolo

Lots of lights in Wickes including bathroom lights, with voltages and locations where they can be used, marked on the boxes.

totalsolutions

Mains lights are dimmable.

AdrianW2

totalsolutions wrote: »

Mains lights are dimmable.

Some are, some aren't, and those of a moneysaving bent might be considering low power versions that aren't. Similarly some low voltage transformers are dimmable.

Energy saving, low-voltage lighting appears to be a niche area though, which is a shame.