Bathroom

Can I fit a dimmer switch to my bathroom lights?

Yes, but the dimmer switch must be fitted outside the bathroom, in the way that you would fit a standard rocker switch to operate bathroom lights. This is because there must be no risk of anyone operating a switch with wet hands as this carries a risk of electrocution.

Use the dimmer set as full for, say, first thing in the morning when everyone is getting ready for the day, and then dim the lights to relax with a soak in the bath at the end of it.

What is an Ingress Protection rating?

This indicates the level of resistance a fitting has against solid objects (given in the first figure 0-6) and against liquids (given in the second figure 0-8).This rating provides a gauge particularly for the safety of fittings which are used in bathrooms and in gardens where the fitting comes into contact with water, either by accident or because it is inside a shower or out in the garden.

IP20 indicates that you cannot insert your finger into a fitting but that water can make contact with the electrical supply and therefore that the fitting is NOT suitable for use, say, in a bathroom.

IP68 (the maximum IP rating) indicates that the fitting is both dust- tight and resistant to water during indefinite immersion in water.

Bathroom fittings with high IP ratings have to be extremely well manufactured. After all, water and electricity is a lethal combination and your safety depends on the quality of these fittings. This is why a simple looking bathroom downlight may seem comparatively expensive but they have been very well made with safety in mind.

What's the best way of lighting my bathroom?

As with other rooms in the house, create different levels of lighting. Essentially, this means not relying on just one source of light. So, think about using an overhead light operated by one switch (and related circuit) and, for example, either an over-mirror light or a pair of wall lights of an appropriate IP rating. Sometimes an over-mirror light produces an unflattering light so consider fitting a pair of lights either side of the mirror instead which casts a more even light.

Consider using floor lights too. LED recessed lights can be set into bathroom floors to create an unusal effect.