Properly selected and installed bath lamps are not just a source of lighting. This is an important element of a comfortable stay and a pleasant pastime. At the same time, we should not forget that the bathhouse has high humidity and temperature. Therefore, when choosing a lamp for a steam room, wash room, etc., you should also think about safety precautions.
For a bath, you need to choose lamps that can withstand high temperature and humidity
Safety regulations
Lamps for saunas and baths will illuminate a room where the temperature reaches 100-120°C. Therefore, they must have sufficient heat resistance.
High humidity is another source of potential danger when operating lighting fixtures. Therefore, a lamp for a steam room in a bathhouse or washroom must be waterproof. Additional protection will be provided by sealed lampshades that are resistant to moisture and high temperatures.
It is necessary to choose sealed lampshades for the bath
It is better to install lighting 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 due to negligence. When choosing lampshades, the main condition is tightness. To give additional aesthetic properties to a simple lamp, you can use openwork wooden overlays in the form of gratings 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 a bathhouse and as lampshades.
Installation features
Electrical wiring plays a vital role in lighting in a bathhouse. A bathhouse is a high-risk room. It is not permissible to neglect electrical safety rules - this can lead to a fire and electric shock.
To prevent electric shock, it is sufficient to install a low-voltage power supply. Keep in mind that step-down transformers and power supplies are installed outside the steam room and washing room.
But even 12-volt lighting is a fire hazard in a bathhouse.
Observe the following wiring requirements:
- Use sealed solid wires, no solders. Don't skimp on cable. A safe choice would be a heat-resistant cable with silicone rubber insulation (RKGM, PRKA, PRKS, PVKV).
- As an alternative, heat-resistant wire in a heat-resistant corrugated sleeve can be used.
- Place wiring above the level of pipes and water tanks.
- Wiring should be kept away from a stove or other heating source.
- Do not place wires in areas where they may be accidentally exposed to water or splashes.
- Place switches, distribution boxes, shields in the dressing room or recreation area. It is better to use sealed equipment.
- The step-down transformer must be double insulated and galvanically isolated. An autotransformer cannot be used.
- Grounding of metal devices is mandatory.
Of course, the specific electrical circuit depends on the specific bathhouse. However, as a rough example, here are a couple of diagrams:
Electrical circuits for bath lighting
How to choose fixtures 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.
Types of bath lamps
When choosing a specific lamp, 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.
Safety class for bath lighting
The free space between the lampshade 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 device will allow you to use ordinary incandescent lamps in the steam room and/or wash room. Allowable power - no higher than 60 W.
For a bath you need to choose low-power incandescent lamps, up to 60 W.
Incandescent lamps get very hot when burning. The temperature in the sauna room is usually high. The low power of the lamps will protect against fire. After all, the walls in a bathhouse are most often lined with wooden boards, clapboard, etc.
What can be found on sale: review of manufacturers and products
First of all, we would divide lamp manufacturers by place of production: Russian and foreign. Because first of all it affects the price of goods.
We came across only Linda and Thermo . Manufacturers guarantee heat resistance and tightness.
The model range of Thermo is quite diverse - there are both oval and round varieties, some of which are equipped with grilles. Some models are suitable for ceiling installation. The base can be either ceramic or made of another material (it looks like wood), but we were not able to get information about another material, so its safety is based on the manufacturer’s word of honor . Prices are the same as for foreign products, if we are talking only about lamps, without lampshades. Comparable to prices for Harvia and Lindner.
Linda
, which makes the Linda lamp, did not bother creating variations of its main product for sauna lighting. “Linda” looks high quality, similar (but not completely copied) to the German Lindner - which the name seems to hint at. The price can be considered a pleasant factor - it is two times lower than the price of Lindner.
Foreign products are also not very competitive. You can find pleasant pinkish lamps from the Swedish company Tylo and the already mentioned Finnish Harvia and German Lindner. The most expensive lamps will be from Tylo: 60-100 euros. The Germans and Finns value their products much cheaper.
But the Finns cheated a little - they put plastic instead of glass . But they authoritatively claim that plastic lasts up to 120 degrees. We have already said that someone melted, but it is difficult to imagine that it was more than 120 degrees there.
By the way, it’s interesting that most people focus on E27, but the Finns decided to reduce the size of the light bulb and installed a base on E14 for 40 W.
The fact that LED bulbs can be inserted into E27 does not mean that it is worth mounting the lamp on the ceiling and then installing LEDs in it.
In general, there isn't much choice. We personally recommend the time-tested Lindner - good quality, reasonable price. In most cases, a silicone gasket can be purchased immediately.
Heat-resistant sauna lamp Lindner
Cheap Russian models, like Linda , are also good as a budget option, because they only have ceramics and glass, no nanotechnology.
Also pay attention to the protection class - it’s not bad when it’s IP65, but IP54 is also good.
LED lamps for baths
Many owners are interested in whether it is possible to install LED lamps in the bathhouse. To resolve all doubts, you need to familiarize yourself in more detail with the main technical characteristics of such light sources.
The advantage of LED strip is that it is not afraid of moisture
LED bath lamps have such wonderful properties as:
- moisture resistance;
- Fire safety;
- adjusting the direction and/or intensity of the light flux;
- acceptable price.
Using LED strips, you can achieve an interesting lighting design in a bathhouse.
The safety class of individual lamps is up to IP65 and higher. You can achieve very interesting effects by installing LED lamps in the bathhouse. Is it possible to light a steam room or wash room like this? Of course it is possible, and even necessary. LED lamps for baths are one of the most successful options. They are not afraid even of direct contact with water jets. The main disadvantage of LED lamps for baths and steam rooms is their rapid deterioration when exposed to high temperatures.
Protection classes of LED strips
It should be remembered that the remote control with which the LED lighting is controlled must be protected from moisture and dirt. To do this, you need to place it in a special case made of plastic film. Based on all of the above, each owner will be able to determine for himself whether LED lamps can be used in a bathhouse.
LED strip connection diagram
Heat-resistant with glass shades
On sale you can find not only glass lampshades, but also plastic ones, and we are talking about very popular manufacturers, such as Harvia. However, even the authority of such a company may not be a guarantee of quality. We came across reviews that said that such plastic products did not last long in the steam room, having melted. Therefore, we still recommend glass , although it is more dangerous when broken.
Heat-resistant lamps for saunas
It was already mentioned above that the heat resistance of the lamp is ensured by the presence of a ceramic base and a glass cap. But even this design is not recommended to be installed directly on the ceiling. Usually in steam rooms the lighting is on the wall.
At the same time, lamp manufacturers offer several options for location relative to the wall. The lamp can be adjacent to the wall (the length of the light bulb is parallel to the base), protruding (the light bulb is perpendicular to the base), or can be mounted at an angle (called “corner”, although it is not intended for mounting in the corner between walls).
Wooden lampshades: grilles and screens
An attractive, but not necessary, accessory to the lamp models described above can be a wooden lampshade, which some companies offer as a complete set.
In general, on our website you can read a whole article, which only talks about bath lampshades , so those who are interested can follow the link.
Wooden lampshades can be found in two varieties: grilles and screens. Creative combinations of them are also possible.
For your information! Based on the type of installation, they are divided into wall-mounted and corner-mounted.
Grilles are structures made of slats or slats, often artistically processed, between which there are slits that allow light to pass through. Depending on the width of the gap, the luminosity may be greater or less.
Screens - the front facade of such a lampshade is a solid sheet of material (thin furniture board, plywood), in which shaped holes are made, covered with a mesh on the reverse side.
Their main function is to dim the light and also protect the glass from excess moisture . Of course, they also play the role of decoration and mechanical protection.
Fiber optic lamps
A great option is fiber optic bath lamps. With their help, illumination is produced by light waves rather than electricity. Therefore, such systems are absolutely not afraid of water.
Fiber optic lamps for a steam room in a bathhouse can be installed without fear. The material from which they are made can withstand temperatures up to 180-200°C.
Fiber optic lighting device
With the help of fiber optic lamps, you can create an atmosphere of calm, coziness and spiritual comfort in the bathhouse. This promotes self-relaxation of the human body. The beneficial effects of bath procedures increase several times.
An example of fiber optic lighting in a bathhouse
Spot or tape?
Every owner should know about the rules for organizing lighting in a bathhouse. To obtain a relaxing effect in the steam room, you need to choose the type of lamps that create diffused light. With this in mind, it is best to choose LEDs and LED strips. Point sources are not suitable here. Particular attention should be paid to the type of LEDs - they should not be directional, but diffuse light, which would be an excellent option for a steam room.
The lamps can be installed above the shelf or in the corners. We also allow a placement option in which the lamps will illuminate the backs or shelves from below. This solution will create a fairly good decorative effect.
In the case of a washing room, you shouldn’t think about frills - everything is done from a position of practicality . Lamps should provide the best possible illumination, but the light should not be too harsh.
The recommendation for the rest room will be slightly different. For this room it is better to choose light of different intensities. In a situation where after a broom a person wants to rest, it would be better for him to turn on diffused light; brighter lighting is more suitable for reading. And it is advisable to install light sources each in their own zone.
How to correctly position light sources in a steam room
Before installing lamps with one type of lighting lamp or another, you must 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 temperature and humidity levels are especially high, only heat-resistant lighting fixtures can be installed. In this case, the lamps should be placed away from the stove. This is a must.
It is better to place 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 ceiling. The ceiling lamp should be located above human height. The corner lamp is installed so as to exclude the possibility of accidental contacts.
You can attach an LED strip along the wall under the ceiling. Under it you definitely need a base made of non-flammable heat-resistant material.
The 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 a Russian bathhouse must be made from a material such as:
- stainless steel;
- aluminum;
- heat-resistant plastic;
- ceramics (only for dry rooms).
To illuminate the steam room, it is better to use warm shades of lighting
Important! For a lamp in a sauna, where the humidity level is much lower, you can make a base from ceramic materials.
Requirements for lighting in baths and saunas
Safety. The first and perhaps the most important criterion. Choose impact-resistant, moisture-proof, heat-resistant lighting fixtures. Make the wiring as protected from moisture and heat as possible.
Durability. In order not to change lamps every six months, you should take care in advance: choose a high-quality, reliable device that will work for a long time in difficult bath conditions.
Aesthetics. An elegant lamp that is pleasing to the eye will promote good rest and relaxation. It is important to choose the color temperature: warm tones help you relax, while cold tones, on the contrary, invigorate. Therefore, for a bath it is better to choose lamps with a low color temperature: 2700-3500 K.
Simplicity and ease of use. Bathroom lighting fixtures are chosen to be as easy to maintain and operate as possible. The simpler the shape of the lamp, the more difficult it is to touch it with your hand or head.
Correct lighting for the washing area
In a small wash room, 1 lamp will be enough. The lampshade must be sealed to prevent water splashing on the lamp and/or socket.
Wiring for lighting fixtures in the bathhouse must be insulated especially carefully. This will prevent accidental contact of moisture and electricity.
Lighting in the washing room should also be moisture-proof
A large wash room requires the installation of several lamps. Therefore, when choosing their location, you need to take into account the location of the bathtub, sink, bidet, shower stall. It is better to do preliminary zoning of the premises.
As a rule, the washing room is divided into 3 zones:
- in close proximity to a source of moisture;
- at a distance of 0.6 m;
- in a relatively dry space.
Moisture levels are highest near a water source. Therefore, in this area you can install 12 volt bath lamps and lamps. IP indicator for protection against moisture is at least 45 units.
A zone located approximately 60 cm from a direct source of moisture is considered remote from moisture. Here you can use lamps and lamps with an average level of protection.
LED lighting can even be used in a swimming pool
In a dry area, located away from faucets, shower heads, swimming pools, etc., you can use lighting fixtures and lamps with the lowest level of protection.
Installation recommendations
Not only well-chosen lighting fixtures are important when arranging a bathhouse, but also their correct installation. This issue is especially relevant for steam rooms where operating conditions are difficult. Among the main requirements for organizing lamps are:
- It is prohibited to place lamps near the stove, regardless of their degree of heat resistance;
- It is more expedient to install them on the wall opposite to it;
- you need to calculate the distance from the floor to the chandelier so as not to hit it with your head.
It is best to place lighting fixtures in the corner of the room or where the walls and ceiling intersect.
Lighting for the rest room and other rooms
There is no constant high humidity in the rest room. Therefore, lighting fixtures with a minimum level of protection can be used here.
Electrical diagram of the bath
The dressing room, billiard room, dressing room and other additional rooms can be illuminated as living rooms. However, it is still better to use sealed lampshades made of durable material.
Accommodation options
The type of lighting fixtures depends on where the lighting will be organized.
Lamp in the waiting room
In this room, the use of almost all types of lighting is allowed, since there are no sharp temperature fluctuations and the humidity level is not as high as in the steam room. It looks original if you install a chandelier or several lamps fixed on the ceiling surface in the center of the room. The advantage of this technique is bright light, creating a pleasant atmosphere for visitors. It is acceptable to place lamps on the wall.
Washing room lamp
The specifics of the room imply the presence of bright and powerful lighting; there is no point in creating an atmosphere of relaxation. But the light should not irritate the eyes. Do not forget about protecting lighting fixtures from accidental splashes of water. For safety, the switch must be placed outside the washing area. It is recommended to purchase lamps with a good degree of moisture protection.
Lamp for the steam room
To avoid negative consequences, the lamp in the steam room should be chosen especially carefully, since the room has a high concentration of steam, moisture and hot air. Taking into account the peculiarities of the microclimate in the steam room, it is recommended to equip it at the very top of the wall or at the joints. A corner lamp for a bath, as well as for walls, must be heat-resistant and withstand temperature changes. The optimal solution is fiber optic devices with soft and diffused light.
In the rest room
If we take into account the level of humidity, then in the recreation area, as in the dressing room, it is low. But all the same, lighting devices should be installed with protection class 1. Light bulbs for a bath should be in the range of 75-100 Watts; classic versions of lampshades and sconces are also suitable for these purposes.
Energy-saving lamps
Energy-saving lamps can be installed in a bathhouse only in rooms with low heat levels. Such light sources can withstand temperatures no higher than 60°C. Therefore, it is dangerous to use such lamps in a steam room that heats up to 100°C or higher. Energy-saving lamps can be used in other rooms of the bathhouse - wash room, dressing room, rest room, etc.
Energy-saving lamps can only be used in the locker room and vestibule
Varieties
In stores you can see different lighting devices that are suitable for a bathhouse. Products come in several types.
Waterproof
For a bathhouse, it is better to choose lamps with LED or energy-saving bulbs. Devices must have additional moisture protection. When purchasing a lamp, you need to check the presence of a sealing gasket.
Heat resistant
To make the lighting inside the steam room safe for visitors, you need to choose heat-resistant structures. The housing is made of materials resistant to high temperatures
It is important that the device parts can withstand heating up to 120 °C
You should not order cheap bath lamps from China. More often they become unusable after the first warming up of the steam room. Under the influence of high temperatures, a housing made of low-quality plastic can melt, ruin the decorative finish, and get hot drops onto visitors.
Halogen
For a bath, you can use lamps with a gas mixture - halogen. The gas is contained in a sealed glass flask. Advantages of halogen lamps:
- High tightness of the housing. No moisture or dust particles get inside the device.
- Low power. The average value is from 20 to 30 watts.
- Halogen lamps create natural light that is easy on the eyes.
- Heat resistance. Since the lamp heats up to 400 °C, it does not become unusable when exposed to high temperatures.
LED
Lighting in a steam bath with LEDs (individuals or strips) is a popular option for the interior design of showers, dressing rooms and steam rooms. On sale you can find LED strips of different colors, with the possibility of remote control and additional functions.
LED strips are suitable for decorating canopies, baseboards, benches, and niches. If you don’t want to use tape, you can buy a lamp. Advantages:
- many color effects;
- durability, reliability;
- environmental friendliness;
- resistance to moisture;
- economical energy consumption;
- easy installation.
The lamps have no serious shortcomings. The devices can only be installed in the shower and dressing room. The devices do not tolerate strong heat, but if it is not possible to use other types of lamps, and the LED strip remains, you can fix it at the level of the shelves inside the steam room.
Fiber optic
Made from synthetic or glass fibers. The light inside is generated by the operation of the projector. Advantages of fiber optic tubes:
- resistance to temperature changes and prolonged exposure to moisture;
- obtaining a diffused stream of light that does not strain the eyes;
- energy saving;
- Possibility of use for different rooms;
- long service life during active use.
Using fiber optic lamps, you can lay out a starry sky on the ceiling. To do this, a niche is created in advance with holes in which luminous tubes are fixed.
What types should not be used?
Incandescent lamps must not be used in the bathhouse. The surfaces of the light bulb become very hot and if moisture gets on the glass surface, an explosion may occur. The lamp itself is easy to break if hit.
Infrared lamps
Recently, infrared lamps for baths or saunas have become increasingly popular. The average power of such light sources ranges from 250 to 300 W.
The frequency of infrared radiation is about 1400-3000 nm. For technical connections when installing such devices, 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 the conditions for comfortable rest and recovery.
Infrared equipment - heaters, lamps, etc. - can be installed without much difficulty. The main thing is to strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The number of emitters is selected in accordance with the dimensions of the room.
Location of infrared heaters in the steam room
Types of electrical wiring: advantages and disadvantages
- Electrical wiring is:
- Open wiring is usually installed in steel boxes, corrugated hoses, or in special trays and electrical baseboards. Electrical wires are usually laid along the walls, on the ceiling and placed on supports. Open wiring has a number of advantages: firstly, it is cheaper, because there is no need to perform additional gating of the walls, and secondly, such wiring is much easier to repair.
- The disadvantages of open wiring include:
- her unpresentable appearance;
- the fact that plastic boxes in wooden walls deform over time;
- The corrugated pipe quickly collects dust, and when laying it it is quite difficult to maintain a perfect vertical or horizontal position.
Hidden electrical wiring is contained in special boxes, which must be recessed in walls, ceilings, ceilings and located below floor level. Particular attention must be paid to insulating cable joints. If hidden wiring is laid from the inside of a wooden structure, then the wires must be laid with insulation on top and bottom of the electrical wires. For steam rooms and saunas, it is recommended to install hidden wiring, which should have the following advantages:
- high degree of fire safety;
- moisture resistance;
- do not have direct contact with hot air in the bath;
- be much more durable;
- do not spoil the design and appearance of the room.
- Hidden wiring during installation has a number of shortcomings and inconveniences, namely:
- difficulty of access to repair damage;
- labor costs during installation.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the benefits of feijoa for a woman’s body?
Salt lamps
A wonderful option offered by modern industry is salt lamps for baths. These are not just lighting fixtures. With their help, you can thoroughly improve your health and get much more pleasure from hygiene procedures and sauna relaxation.
A variety of salt lamps can be used in the bath
Modern salt lamps for baths help achieve such wonderful effects as:
- elimination of harmful microorganisms;
- destruction of allergens;
- effective ionization of indoor air;
- saturating the body with healing vapors.
Salt panels on the walls in the bathhouse heal the body.
Salt lighting fixtures are manufactured industrially from Himalayan salt, mined by hand. The main elements of a salt lamp are:
- stand;
- power cord;
- electric lamp;
- cartridge;
- lampshade.
Special mention should be made about lampshades for salt lighting fixtures. They are made from Himalayan salt crystals. Such lampshades have different sizes, shapes and colors. Therefore, they are easy to choose for any original interior.
Salt lighting in the lampshade can be placed in the corner
High-quality salt lamps are durable, practical, and silent. The main care for such a device is keeping it clean and periodically changing the light bulb.
Note! The beneficial properties of the Himalayan salt from which the lampshades are made are preserved for many years. The intensity of salt radiation remains at the original level.
Salt lamps create a favorable internal atmosphere in various rooms of the bathhouse. This helps get rid of stress and fatigue, calm the nervous system and saturate the body with vital elements.
With your own hands
First, let's find out where exactly it will be located. Because you are able to independently make a sconce or chandelier out of wood, but to illuminate the steam room and washing room you need sealed models of glass sconces, which are better to buy lampshade for them yourself The difference is the presence or absence of a base with a cartridge.
The choice of materials in the bathhouse, where most people prefer wood finishing, is not so great - most likely it’s all the same wood, less likely - glass and metal. But they don’t like plastic in the bathhouse, and it doesn’t match the style of wood. Therefore, below we will describe the stages of work for wooden lamps and accompany the text with several videos that clearly show how exactly to implement our plans.
Made of wood
The essence of the self-production process can be outlined schematically:
- If you are going to work with wood, it must be dry (humidity up to 15%).
- Think over the design and decide how the wires will pass - hidden, inside the wood, open on the surface, open with recesses into grooves.
- Consider the mounting of the cartridge - it can also be hidden or visible, respectively, whether it needs a cavity or not depends on the design.
- Consider mounting the lamp to the wall or ceiling - chains, brackets, hidden fasteners and many other options.
- The electrics are installed after all work on the wood, including painting or impregnation, has been completed.
- The number of twists and wires at the output depends on how many light bulbs you install and which switch you prefer.
Types of lamps for steam rooms
Several types of lamps can be used in the steam room. Initially, this is a lamp with a classic incandescent lamp with a power of up to 40 W. The body of the product is made of corrosion-resistant material.
In order to prevent the penetration of moisture, the design of the lamp is equipped with a gasket made of heat-resistant sealant. As a rule, the lampshade is matte and made of heat-resistant glass. For additional darkening, a wooden grille is used to frame the lamp.
A more modern steam room lighting system is the use of an LED lamp. However, due to the fact that LED lamps are very bright, they are more suitable for arranging other rooms in the bathhouse, and bright light is not needed in the steam room. But there is a way out - installing lampshades that will obscure the bright light. The only advantage of this type of lighting is significant savings in electrical energy.
Recently, experts are increasingly recommending installing fiber optic lighting in the steam room. It consists of a special harness that can withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees, as well as a projector.
In addition to a good level of thermal insulation, the advantage of fiber optic lighting is its resistance to humidity.
Lamps of this type can be placed in different areas of the steam room, creating uniform lighting throughout the room
In addition, such lamps take up virtually no usable space, which is also important. . https://www.youtube.com/embed/7XZgg2D6szE
Articles about baths:
- back to the section “Building a house with your own hands”
- Bath brooms
- Bath and sauna in the house
- Ventilation holes in the bath
- Bath ventilation system
- Internal structure of the bath
- Interior decoration of the bath
- Construction of a chopped bathhouse
- Construction of bath walls
- Auxiliary materials for the construction of a bathhouse
- Choosing a place for a bath
- Choosing a stove for a bath
- We make furniture for a bath
- Reducing humidity on the walls of the bathhouse
- Which sauna should you choose?
- Choosing stones for a bath
- Installation of a sewerage system for a bathhouse
- Caulk of a wooden bath
- Operation of hatches and chimneys
- Materials for building a bathhouse
- Installation of a concrete floor in a bathhouse
- Installation of bath doors and windows
- Installation of a wooden floor in a bathhouse
- Bathroom ceiling installation
- Features of choosing tiles for a bath
- Finishing of sauna log houses
- Bath heating
- Cleaning the ash pan
- How to choose the right stove for a sauna
- How to take a steam bath correctly
- Heaters for solid fuels
- Steam room ceiling
- Rules for lighting the stove
- Types of sauna stoves
- Bathhouse repair
- Chimney pipe repair
- Repairing the crown of the chimney
- Bath walls
- Arrangement of the roof of the bathhouse
- Thermal insulation of the bath
- Oven Installation Instructions
- Bathhouse foundation
- Cleaning chimney bricks
- Choosing an electric heater for a sauna
