What are we guided by when choosing bulbs for a sauna or bath? In addition to sufficient lighting, it is important for us that the bulbs we use are sufficiently resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity.
You just can't hang a lamp in the sauna, no matter what the consultant in the hardware store may say. Situations when exactly the wrong choice of bulbs leads to a fire are not uncommon, so try to protect yourself from this in advance.
The three key points to look for when choosing a lamp are:
- product tightness;
- sufficient tension;
- product labeling.
Full tightness will protect the lamp from water ingress. It is believed that one of the best options is considered to be matte luminaires with a ceramic body. Ceramics withstands high temperatures well, and frosted glass allows you not to think about the additional wooden lathing that ordinary light bulbs need.
Sauna bulbs should not only be bright, but also protected from humidity and high temperatures. Specialists of the light hypermarket "Nalampe.Ru" talk about the types of lamps suitable for use in a steam room.
We choose the right bulbs for the sauna
In a sauna, the conditions for lamps are not the best - high temperature and humidity make serious demands on the quality of the lamps used.
Incorrect selection of a light bulb causes short circuit and damage to the wiring from water ingress.
To buy sauna light bulbs, study the strengths and weaknesses different models... Let us give comparative characteristics models that can be used in the sauna:
- Halogen lamps. For a steam room, this is a suitable option, since the lamp is not afraid of high temperatures and is protected from splashes. Power up to 35 W allows you to create the right lighting that meets the standards. With internal heating up to 400 degrees Celsius, these lamps playfully cope with the heat of the sauna.
- Fluorescent lamps. One type of lamp suitable for energy saving. They can serve up to 10 thousand hours, are inexpensive and pay off well. You can safely install energy-saving bulbs in the sauna - they are not afraid of high temperatures. However, you cannot put them in the dressing room, since temperature drops and frosty air currents from the street are not for them.
- Fiber optic lights. They allow you to provide designer lighting for the sauna, but requires compliance with all the set parameters of the correct connection.
Each of the listed types of lamps can be safely installed in the sauna. However, there are types of luminaires that either cannot be installed, or can be mounted, but with great care.
Luminaires with limited area of use include LEDs. They can only be used to illuminate the floor or decorate benches. This is due to the fact that LEDs do not tolerate high temperatures well, and at floor level it is the lowest in the sauna.
Incandescent lamps cannot be used in the sauna - they can explode from accidental splashing of water. This, in turn, can lead to injury to those who were in the room at that time. And even such a load, which is in a sauna or a bath, an ordinary incandescent lamp simply cannot withstand.
Regardless of what type of light bulbs you use, they must be additionally protected from water and do not rely on structural strength alone. Take care of special lamp shades that protect against splashing.
The light hypermarket "Nalamp.Ru" will deliver suitable lamps for the sauna. Products are protected from heat and tolerate steam room conditions. Managers will help you choose a lamp with the desired power level, size and type of base.
Lighting design is perhaps the most important part of the overall impression of the sauna: how subdued and soft the light in the steam room is, how vacationers feel from bathing procedures, and how beautiful and stylish the lamps in the guest room are, an impression is created about the taste of the owners. But choosing a lamp for a steam room is not so easy - it has its own subtleties and nuances.
General requirements for bath lamps
The high temperature and humidity of the baths impose their own requirements on lighting devices - you cannot hang any lamp there. And even to be guided by the opinion of a construction supermarket consultant alone is not worth it - it is better to know in advance about all the requirements for lighting in a humid and hot Russian bath, and to protect yourself. And the requirements are simple: complete tightness, a certain voltage and marking of the luminaire itself. And it is important that water cannot accidentally get on the latter - this is dangerous even for those specially protected from this, because they also get very hot.
According to many bathhouse attendants, the best lamps for baths and saunas are German, with frosted glass and a ceramic body. It can be mounted either on the wall or not on the ceiling - if not in the steam room, of course. In it, all parts of the ceramic cartridge are metal contacts only, and therefore it can easily withstand up to 125 ° C, and the silicone gasket well protects against splashes, steam and dust.
Only those lamps for the bathhouse, which have too bright and direct light, should be covered with wooden gratings - this is necessary to diffuse it. But with frosted glass, it is already soft, and therefore no additional lampshade is needed.
What type is better to take a lamp to the steam room?
This question cannot be answered unequivocally - each of the above has its own pros and cons. Choose the ones that are most suitable for your particular bath:
Halogen bulbs - for the hottest areas
Huge popularity in recent times won the halogen lamps with their built-in reflectors - they can be safely installed even in the steam room. They usually have a power of 20-35 W, are not afraid of high ambient temperatures, and have a constructive protection against splashes or accidental touch.
What is the plus of halogen lamps? Their continuous spectrum is closest to the natural one for the human body than that of standard incandescent lamps. And most importantly, an absolutely safe supply voltage is used for them. Bath attendants often joke that halogen lamps even like high temperatures - after all, they themselves are capable of heating up to 400˚С from the inside.
By the way, there are also halogen paws with a colored shade on sale, although it is not so easy to find them.
Fluorescent lamps - dimmable
You can also use fluorescent lamps in the bath - energy-saving and not integrated, but not those with an electromagnetic choke. They tolerate elevated temperatures well, but not frost. Such lamps can be dimmed, which gives them certain advantages.
Fiber optic lights - convenient and stylish
Bright and stylish fiber-optic lamps for a bath are also not a bad option, but it is only important to connect them correctly, strictly according to the instructions, in compliance with all fire regulations.
Fashionable LEDs - an outlet for designers
But LED lamps for the bath do not like heat - in the steam room they need to be placed as low as possible to the floor. Their brightness is high, but the color gamut is rich, which is why their bath attendants are most often placed behind and under shelves - such a mysterious illumination in the style of a space station that does not hit the eyes.
What kind of lamps cannot be put in the bath?
Ordinary incandescent lamps, which require special mechanical protection and threaten to explode with a drop of a thousand small fragments, and gas-discharge lamps with their high power and poor color rendering are not suitable for a bath.
And other lamps should also be protected from splashes, and so that “striped” shadows do not turn out due to the wooden crate, it is better to direct the lamps themselves in the opposite direction - to the previously installed reflective convex plates made of matt stainless steel.
Master class: stylish lamp in the bath with your own hands
In view of the fashion for individuality and exclusivity in the interior, many are looking for stylish and unusual lamps for baths and saunas - all kinds of lampshades and glass flowers are boring at home. And they find - fortunately, modern manufacturer fantasy and implementation of the idea only pleases. But he also asks for a considerable price for his work - from $ 400 to $ 800 for the most decent options. So why not make such lamps for the bath with your own hands without spending $ 10 on it? Moreover, there is nothing complicated about it. And let friends and acquaintances then wonder how much this light was bought and from which foreign manufacturer.
The main thing is that the savings in this regard are just what you need! Wood, for example, for such a lamp, you can take the one that went into the interior decoration of the bath. And you will also need the following materials:
- Glass 4 mm
- Plywood
- Special PET film with a temperature range not less than 120˚С
- LEDs with an illumination angle of 120 ° C
- Getinax - electrical insulating material
- Aluminum tape
- Assembly glue and super glue
So, here's what you need to do:
Step 1. Templates of the main parts are made of fiberboard. To be correct, the same template must be applied to the corner where the lamp is located.
Step 2. The main details of the frame are made according to templates - it is better from linden. Vertical slats are also planed from it, the edges of which will need to be rounded:
- 4 pieces 750 x 35 x 15 cm
- 8 pieces 750 x 40 x 15 cm
- 4 pieces 750 x 45 x 15 cm
- 1 piece 550 x 50 x 20 cm - it is in this that the groove for the glass is made
Step 3. The main parts are fastened to the rails, and all joints are carefully coated with universal mounting glue, then tightened with self-tapping screws 70 mm long.
Step 4. To stop the glass, special strips are attached. The glass itself is cut from the prepared material and wrapped in PET foil. What kind of film is this? It is commonly used for rewinding motors as insulation.
Step 5. The slats are sawn, tried on and coated with assembly glue, after which they are pulled together with self-tapping screws.
Step 6. Now you need to take a rail with parameters 750x45x15 - and mark the points on it where the hole will be drilled. The glass will be fixed in place with two such slats. Moreover, the external vertical slats must be fixed with screws from the back side.
Step 7. In a regular Word, a table with 3x3 cm cells is made and printed. This sheet of paper must be glued to a sheet of getinax for the lamp and the intersection of the lines must be drilled. The diameter of the holes should be about 5 mm - under the diameter of the LED. Then - with an already larger drill, you need to make conical grooves - in order for the light from the LEDs to be more directional. The paper can then be washed off with water.
Step 8. Now, on the back of the panel, you should glue the LEDs - with ordinary superglue. There will be 80 of them in total - they need to be soldered in 4 pieces. You get 20 LEDs of 4 at each point, and all of this is rated at 12 volts. The reflector for them will be aluminum tape.
Step 9. We install the power supply - it can be the same as for halogen bulbs. You just need to place it outside the steam room, passing only the cable through the wall to the lamp. The total consumption of this stylish and inexpensive luminaire will be some 250mA, which is equal to 3W.
Step 10. And, finally, all the slats are attached with self-tapping screws to the frame - it is only important to pick them up to the length at which they will not come out from the front side. And the panel with LEDs is wrapped in PET foil and fixed.
That's all - a stylish, durable and beautiful steam room lamp is ready!
When choosing lighting equipment for a bath, it is important to take into account its technical parameters, design, brightness and luminous flux angle. Special lamps for a bath are not only additional light sources, but also a way to create comfortable conditions for relaxation and health procedures.
Bath lighting should not be overly bright or dim, therefore it is better to give preference to appliances that provide a soft and warm glow with a yellowish tint.
Operating conditions and requirements
It is rather difficult to choose suitable lamps for baths and saunas, since it is necessary to take into account the special operating conditions:
- high level of humidity;
- temperature differences during heating and cooling of heating equipment.
This means that for the main functional rooms of the steam room, it is recommended to use special waterproof bath lamps of a sealed design, resistant to overheating and the negative effects of moisture.
To ensure maximum safety of staying in the steam room, waterproof lamps for baths are equipped with special shades made of heat-resistant materials.
Lighting equipment for saunas and baths has the following characteristics:
- high quality materials for the manufacture of devices;
- high degree of moisture resistance - from IP40 and above;
- resistance to high humidity;
- resistance to temperature extremes and heating;
- the level of heat resistance for wall devices - up to 160 degrees, for ceiling devices - up to 300;
- high lighting performance;
- available adjustment of the luminous flux.
Many models of luminaires provide additional decorative effects - flickering, blinking, fading and diffusion. This makes it possible to use lamps for a bath as stylish decorative elements.
The lighting equipment market offers a wide selection of bath lamps:
- devices using incandescent bulbs;
- LED bulbs;
- fiber optic lighting devices.
Luminaires based on classic incandescent bulbs
The main requirement for such lamps is heat resistance. Therefore, they have a waterproof base that is resistant to high temperatures and high humidity.
For additional protection of the incandescent lamp from the negative effects of moisture, special sealing elements are used, which create a sealed container between the shade and the walls of the case.
When choosing heat-resistant lamps based on incandescent lamps, you should take into account the moisture protection class, which must be at least 5 (IP54). For lighting equipment, lamps with a power of up to 60 watts are used. The higher the power, the higher the likelihood of overheating the filament and creating a fire hazard.
Waterproof LED fixtures
The most popular and demanded type of lighting equipment is LED bath lamps. They are environmentally friendly, reliable, safe, practical and durable. In addition, such devices are resistant to temperature extremes and moisture.
The electrical protection class is IP65, which guarantees complete safety of use of the luminaire even in the event of a direct hit of a water jet on the body.
Excessive brightness of the luminous flux can be considered a significant disadvantage of the devices. However, there are models of lamps with the ability to adjust the brightness, as well as change the color scheme using the remote control.
Fiber optic lighting equipment
Equipment based on fiber-optic materials is absolutely safe and practical for installation in baths and saunas. A distinctive characteristic of fiber is the ability to conduct light, not electrical waves. Such equipment can be installed in a steam room, washing room, swimming pool or hot tub.
Fiber optic has the following advantages:
- resistance to high temperature conditions (up to 220 degrees);
- creating soft and warm light;
- ease of installation and maintenance;
- practicality, safety and durability.
The most economical option of lighting fixtures is based on incandescent lamps, durable and safe - fiber-optic devices, practical and functional - LED lamps for a bath.
Halogen and fluorescent lamps
No less popular are halogen lamps equipped with built-in reflective plates. Such devices can be safely installed in the steam room.
The clear benefits include:
- low power - from 15 to 35 W;
- overheating resistance;
- heat-resistant shade;
- safe voltage range for power supply.
Many bath attendants are interested in the question: is it possible to install fluorescent lighting devices with the ability to adjust the brightness of the luminous flux in the bath and sauna? The answer is yes, but on condition that these are energy-saving non-integrated lamps without an electromagnetic choke. Such devices are resistant to overheating, but do not tolerate hypothermia.
Basic rules for placing lamps in the bath and sauna
Correct installation of the lighting device, done by hand, guarantees complete safety and a long service life.
Installation of lamps in the steam room
Lamps for a steam room in a bath cannot be installed near heating equipment. This is true even if a heat-resistant device is used that can withstand high temperature conditions.
The best option for installing lamps is under the ceiling surface, where they will not create inconvenience to those who have a rest on the lower and upper shelves.
Often, lighting equipment is mounted in corners away from the sauna stove. A corner lamp can become not only a functional device, but also a stylish decorative element of a steam room.
The original solution is to install a horizontal device at the junction of the ceiling and wall surfaces.
For modern Finnish saunas, it is possible to use ceramic body lighting fixtures that are resistant to high temperatures.
And for traditional Russian couples, lamps made of heat-resistant materials that can withstand high humidity are suitable: aluminum alloy, plastic and stainless steel.
Installation of luminaires in the washroom and lounge
The washing room maintains an optimal temperature regime with high humidity, so it is better to use devices with a high class of electrical protection here.
The washing compartment can be conditionally divided into three functional zones, in each of which it is recommended to use devices of different classes of electrical protection:
- The initial zone is located close to the main water source - a shower cabin, a watering can and a mixer. High humidity remains here, so spray can fall on the lighting fixture with different sides... In this case, it is allowed to install luminaires with a power of up to 12 W with protection classes from 5.
- The middle zone is located at a distance of 65 cm from the water. Installation of devices with protection class 4 is possible.
- The far zone is away from the water source and is dry. Here you can install sauna chandeliers with protection class 1.
Another functional area of the bath and sauna is a relaxation room with a slight increase in humidity. Therefore, it is recommended to use luminaires with an initial protection class of 1.
In order for water procedures and relaxation in the steam room to be pleasant and useful, you should follow the rules for organizing lighting:
When choosing lighting for a bath, it is necessary to study the technical and operational characteristics of each product. In addition to aesthetics and functionality, lighting devices must meet the requirements of fire safety and economy.
You should not use one type of equipment for all premises of the bath; it is better to correctly combine different light sources, taking into account the principles of zoning.
Correctly selected and installed bath lamps are not just a source of illumination. This is an important element of a comfortable stay and a pleasant pastime. At the same time, one should not forget that the bath has high humidity and temperature. Therefore, when choosing a lamp for a steam room, washing room, etc., you should also think about safety.
For a bath, it is necessary to choose lamps that can withstand high temperature and humidity.
Safety regulations
Lamps for saunas and baths will illuminate the room, where the temperature is understood to be up to 100-120 ° C. Therefore, they must have sufficient thermal stability.
High humidity is another potential hazard when operating lighting fixtures. Therefore, a lamp for a steam room in a bath or washroom must be waterproof. Additional protection will be provided by sealed shades that are resistant to moisture and high temperatures.
It is necessary to choose sealed plafonds for the bath It is better to install light sources under the ceiling or in the corners of the room. In this case, it will be possible to avoid accidental contacts and / or mechanical damage to lighting devices by negligence. When choosing plafonds, the main condition is tightness. To give additional aesthetic properties to a simple luminaire, you can use openwork wooden overlays in the form of lattices or carved screens.
It is better to install lighting in the corners of the room under the ceiling. 
Wooden grilles are often used to refract lighting in the bath and as lampshades. How to choose lamps and lamps for a bath
Modern industry produces a wide range of lamps for rooms with high humidity - baths, saunas, bathrooms. These devices can use lamps such as:
- incandescent lamps;
- LED;
- fiber optic.
When choosing a specific luminaire, you need to pay attention not only to its design, but also to the degree of protection. The required safety class is IP 56. Such lamps are resistant to moisture.
The free space between the dome and the body is additionally protected by a special seal. Its integrity must be checked at the time of selection.
Nuanas! A properly selected lighting fixture will allow the use of conventional incandescent lamps in the steam room and / or washroom. Permissible power - no more than 60 W.
For a bath, you need to choose low-power incandescent lamps, up to 60 W Incandescent lamps get very hot when they burn. The temperature in the bath room is usually high. Low lamp power will protect against fire. After all, the walls in the bath are most often sheathed with wooden boards, clapboard, etc.
LED lamps for a bath
Many owners are interested in whether it is possible to put LED lamps in the bath. To resolve all doubts, you need to familiarize yourself in more detail with the main technical characteristics similar light sources.
The advantage of LED strip is that it is not afraid of moisture Bath LED lamps have such remarkable properties as:
- moisture resistance;
- Fire safety;
- adjusting the direction and / or intensity of the luminous flux;
- acceptable price.
With the help of LED strips, you can achieve an interesting lighting design in the bath The safety class of individual luminaires is up to IP65 and higher. You can achieve very interesting effects by installing LED lamps in the bath. Is it possible to light a steam room or washroom like this? Of course it is possible and even necessary. Bath LED lamps are one of the most successful options. They are not even afraid of direct water jets. The main disadvantage that LED lamps for saunas and steam rooms have is their rapid deterioration under the influence of high temperatures.
It should be remembered that the remote control with which the LED lighting is regulated must be protected from moisture and dirt. To do this, you need to place it in a special case made of plastic wrap. Based on all of the above, each owner will be able to determine for himself whether it is possible to use LED lamps in the bath.
Fiber optic lamps
A great option is fiber optic lamps for a bath. With their help, lighting is obtained by a light wave, not electricity. Therefore, such systems are absolutely not afraid of water.
Fiber optic lamps for steam rooms in a bath can be installed without fear. The material from which they are made is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 180-200 ° C.
With the help of fiber-optic lamps, you can create an atmosphere of calmness, coziness and peace of mind in the sauna. This promotes self-relaxation of the human body. The beneficial effects of bath procedures increase several times.
How to properly position light sources in a steam room
Before installing luminaires with one or another type of lighting lamp, you need to carefully study the instructions and all the manufacturer's instructions. It is very important to choose the right location for the light source.
In the steam room, where the level of temperature and humidity is especially high, only heat-resistant lighting devices can be installed. In this case, you should place the lamps away from the stove. This is a prerequisite.
It is better to place the lighting in the steam room away from the stove. The optimal location of the light source in the steam room is in the corner of the room and / or under the ceiling. In this case, you need to take into account the dimensions of the room and the size of the plafond. The ceiling light should be taller than a person's height. The corner cover is installed in such a way as to exclude the possibility of accidental contacts.
Can be attached along the wall under the ceiling led strip... Under it, you definitely need a base made of non-combustible heat-resistant material.
LED strip can be placed under the shelves, but so that they do not interfere with visitors The base for the LED strip and / or any other lighting device located in the Russian bath must be made of a material such as:
- stainless steel;
- aluminum;
- heat-resistant plastic;
- ceramics (only for dry rooms).
It is better to use warm shades of lighting to illuminate the steam room. Important! For a lamp in a sauna, where the humidity level is much lower, you can make a base of ceramic materials.
The right lighting for the washroom
In a small washroom, 1 lamp will be sufficient. The plafond must be sealed to prevent splashing water on the lamp and / or socket.
The wiring for lighting fixtures in the bath must be insulated especially carefully. This will prevent accidental contact between moisture and electricity.
The lighting in the washroom must also be waterproof. A large washroom requires the installation of several fixtures. Therefore, when choosing their location, you need to take into account the location of the bath, sink, bidet, shower. It is better to do preliminary zoning of the room.
As a rule, 3 zones are conditionally distinguished in the washing room:
- in the immediate vicinity of a source of moisture;
- at a distance of 0.6 m;
- in a relatively dry space.
The moisture level is highest near the water source. Therefore, in this area, you can install lamps and lamps for a 12 volt bath. IP rating for moisture protection - at least 45 units.
Moisture is considered to be an area located about 60 cm from a direct source of moisture. Here you can use luminaires and lamps with a medium protection level.
LED lightening can be used even in the pool In a dry area away from faucets, showers, swimming pools, etc., the lighting fixtures and lamps with the lowest level of protection can be used.
Lighting of the rest room and other premises
There is no constant high humidity in the rest room. Therefore, lighting fixtures with a minimum level of protection can be used here.
Dressing room, billiard room, dressing room and other additional rooms can be illuminated as living rooms. However, shades are still better to use sealed, made of durable material.
It is possible to install energy-saving lamps in a bath only in rooms with a low heat level. Such light sources can withstand temperatures no higher than 60 ° C. Therefore, in a steam room that warms up to 100 ° C and above, it is dangerous to use such lamps. Energy-saving lamps can be used in other areas of the bath - a washing room, a dressing room, a rest room, etc.
Energy saving lamps can only be used in dressing rooms and vestibules Infrared lamps
Recently, infrared lamps for baths or saunas are becoming more and more popular. The average power of such light sources is from 250 to 300 watts.
The frequency of infrared radiation is about 1400-3000 nm. For technical connections, when installing such devices, a silicone wire is used.
Infrared radiation A special remote control allows you to vary the radiation intensity. This allows you to set the required temperature and creates all conditions for comfortable rest and recovery.
Infrared equipment is mounted - heaters, lamps, etc. without much difficulty. The main thing is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations exactly. The number of emitters is selected in accordance with the dimensions of the room.
Salt lamps
A wonderful option offered by modern industry is salt lamps for a bath. These are not just lighting fixtures. With their help, you can thoroughly improve your health and get much more pleasure from hygiene procedures and bathing.
A variety of salt lamps can be used in the bath Modern salt lamps for baths help to achieve such wonderful effects as:
- elimination of harmful microorganisms;
- destruction of allergens;
- effective ionization of indoor air;
- saturation of the body with healing vapors.
Salt panels on the walls in the bath heal the body Salt lighting fixtures are manufactured industrially from hand-mined Himalayan salt. The main elements of the salt lamp are:
- stand;
- power cord;
- electric lamp;
- cartridge;
- plafond.
Special mention should be made of shades for salt lighting fixtures. They are made from crystals of Himalayan salt. These shades come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Therefore, they are easy to choose for any original interior.
Salt lighting in the plafond can be positioned in the corner High quality salt lamps are durable, practical and quiet. The main care of such a device is keeping it clean and periodically changing the light bulb.
Note! Beneficial features Himalayan salt, from which the shades are made, are preserved for many years. The intensity of the salt radiation remains at the original level.
Salt lamps create a favorable interior atmosphere in various areas of the bath. It helps relieve stress and fatigue, calm the nervous system and saturate the body with vital elements.
How to make a screen for a lamp
To obtain diffused light and the desired aesthetic effect, the moisture-resistant plafond used in the steam room and / or in the washroom is decorated with a special screen.
For lamps in the steam room, grilles and screens are usually installed. It is not difficult to make a decorative wood screen. For work you will need:
- a piece of timber or board - for the base;
- wooden slats;
- saw-hacksaw;
- a hammer;
- electric drill;
- fastening material;
- sandpaper;
- ruler and / or tape measure;
- antiseptic.
First you need to make a base from a board or timber. For example, cut out 2 pieces of the same shape. You need to attach "ears" to them in order to hang them on the wall later.
The base for the wall lamp can be made in the shape of a semicircle, square or rectangle. For a corner sconce, it is better to take a triangle or a trapezoid as a basis.
The size of the decorative screen is calculated according to the dimensions of the lighting device, which must fit freely inside.
All wooden elements must be carefully sanded with sandpaper before assembly. Sand ribs and sharp edges. It is advisable to hide the fasteners inside during assembly. This will protect against accidental contacts and give the finished product a stylish look.
On top of the base, wooden slats are attached to screws, self-tapping screws and / or small nails. They can be positioned at an angle, vertically, etc. If you show your imagination, you get a stylish sconce that will decorate the interior of the bath room.
Small gaps should be left between the slats for the free passage of light. Instead of slats, you can use a piece of plywood. On it, you can cut out a drawing from simple components according to preliminary marking.
Screens can be of various designs, for example, carved screens All wooden materials for the manufacture of the screen must be pre-treated with an antiseptic and moisture-proof compounds. Fasteners are used only from stainless materials.
Better to make a removable screen. This will allow you to periodically remove it for thorough drying and minor repairs. For example, to replace accidentally damaged items. The removable screen will facilitate the maintenance of the lamp and the replacement of worn out lamps.
Do not use glue or paint coatings. When exposed to temperature and moisture, they will give off harmful vapors and unpleasant odors.
The question of which lamps to use in the bath, each owner decides independently. The main thing is to make the right choice. When installing and using various lighting devices, the attached instructions and safety rules should be strictly observed.
The steam room in the bath usually has no windows. This is due to the need to comply with the maximum thermal insulation of this room. Therefore, you need to take care of the presence of artificial light sources.
This is where a lot of problems arise, since not every lamp will withstand the aggressive conditions of the steam room. This article will help you solve them.
Primary requirements
What should be a lamp for a bath?
Let's figure it out:
- First of all, the lighting device installed in the steam room, of course, must have adequate moisture protection, which I noted in the title. It's all about the abundant steam and frequent splashes of water. This, firstly, can lead to the destruction of the lamp itself, and secondly, cause a combination of uncontrolled electric current with high humidity, which is dangerous to human health;
You can get information on how the luminaire is protected from moisture by the corresponding marking. So for the steam room, you need to take those samples for which this parameter is not less than IP-44. Then it will be possible not to fear for the penetration of water into the device.
| Degree of protection | Marking | ||||||
| No protection | IP-00 | IP-10 | IP-20 | IP-30 | IP-40 | IP-50 | IP-60 |
| Protection against falling vertical drops | IP-11 | IP-21 | IP-31 | IP-41 | |||
| Protection against falling drops at an angle of 15 degrees | IP-12 | IP-22 | IP-32 | IP-42 | |||
| 60 degree splash protection | IP-23 | IP-33 | IP-43 | ||||
| Full splash protection | IP-34 | IP-44 | IP-54 | ||||
| Protection against jets directed under low pressure from all directions | IP-55 | IP-65 | |||||
| Protection against intense water currents | IP-66 | ||||||
| Possibility of temporary immersion in water up to one meter deep | IP-67 | ||||||
| Full immersion in water | IP-68 | ||||||
- The next equally important requirement is ability to withstand high temperatures without any negative consequences. After all, the air in the steam room can even heat up to +120 degrees Celsius, which not every lamp can withstand;
At the same time, any lighting fixtures are suitable for the dressing room and changing room, since there are no extreme conditions in these parts of the bath.
- Also installed luminaire should not have high power... This is required so that if, nevertheless, the device is damaged and comes into contact with the surrounding moisture, then the existing electric charge did not pose a danger to human life;
- Another significant parameter is the nature of the light itself emanating from the lighting fixtures. Too bright and harsh radiation will not allow you to fully relax, while a weak and muffled one will immerse the room in a twilight dangerous for injury.
Possible options
Now, in terms of the requirements described above for what the lamp should be in the steam room, we will consider the existing types of lamps:
Option number 1: filament lamps
This is the least successful choice for a steam room.
Such a light bulb:
- Explodes when hit by water droplets that is dangerous for the visitors of the bath;
- Does not have sufficient tightness;
- Has high power.
You can, of course, purchase copies with additional protection, or even take care of creating it yourself, but, as a rule, the efforts and financial costs spent on this simply do not pay off.
Option number 2: halogen lamps
This type of light bulb is very similar to the previous one, but it has fundamental difference in its structure.
This is the presence of halogens in the gas mixture under the glass bulb, which gives them significant advantages:
- Heat resistance... The high temperature of the steam room is not terrible for such lighting devices, because they themselves can heat up to +400 degrees Celsius from the inside;
- Availability of splash and dust proof samples... The accompanying instructions will always tell you the degree of such security;
- Low power fluctuating in the region of 20-30 W;
- Pleasant light spectrum close to daylight natural light. Although this is a slightly controversial statement, because such light is also characterized as "cold". And this may not be to everyone's liking when taking water procedures.
You can add enough to the disadvantages the high cost of those copies that have the necessary degree of protection against moisture... As an example, we can consider the model of the linear type "TCW060 2XTL-D18W HF":
Option # 3: Fiber Optic Lighting
These lamps for a bath are completely waterproof. Here it is not at all required to follow the marking. It's all about physical properties optical fiber, which is able to conduct only the light waves themselves without electricity. Thus, the projector itself is located in another completely dry, and "tentacles" with luminous dots entangle the steam room and can even sink to the bottom of the pool.
As a result, we can say this is a solid set of undeniable merits:
- Ability to withstand heat up to +200 degrees Celsius... So the bath temperatures for such a lighting system are absolutely not scary;
- Lack of sharpness in the light spectrum allowing you to achieve maximum relaxation when visiting the steam room;
- Very low power, which allows you to significantly save energy. Many projectors have this setting as low as 1 W;
- Long service life;
- Wide possibilities for decorating the room... It can be multi-colored illumination of shelves, the creation of a night sky or any other embodiment of your imagination.
Such a lamp fits perfectly into the bath. And although the prices for fiber optic are far from the lowest, you immediately get a set that will be enough for you for the whole steam room and for a very long operational period. For example, let's take a look at a small fiber optic kit with a VPL10L-E161 projector:
Option number 4: LEDs
LED lamps can be presented both in the form of ribbons, which can be placed under benches, in niches, in a baseboard or other semi-hidden places, like fiber-optic cables, and in the form of spotlights that can decorate open areas of the bath.
The advantages of such devices are enough:
- Energy saving;
- Wide range of color effects, allowing you to originally equip the steam room;
- High humidity resistance;
- Durability;
- Operational safety;
- Ease of installation work.
But LED waterproof lamps also have a serious drawback: do not tolerate high temperatures, which causes tangible problems when using them in steam rooms.
If you opt for LEDs, I recommend placing them at the bottom of the steam room. According to the law of physics, heat rises up, and, therefore, there they will have the most chances to survive the next bath day.
The wooden grill plays both a protective and a scattering function
In steam rooms, most often this function is performed by wooden lampshades.
The choice in favor of a tree is also quite clear:
- It is best combined with the rest of the interior of the steam room, which, as a rule, also predominantly consists of wood;
- Allows you to endow the frames with beautiful original shapes;
- It has a pleasant tactile sensation, which will be very useful if you still manage to get close to the lamp.
Conclusion
You have familiarized yourself with the requirements for bathroom lighting fixtures. We also learned about possible options lamps that can be installed in the steam room. The video in this article contains additional materials, and in the comments you can ask any questions on the topic.
