We establish light in the bathroom: safety, lighting norms, LEDs and lighting devices presented on the market.
Photo Zinur Ranidovnova
Photo of Evgenia Lichina
Specialists advise to commend the level of illumination of the bathroom with adjacent premises, it should not be too dark or too light
Glowing borders from Steuler
Light near the mirror should be soft, scattered, as close as possible to the natural
Photo Mikhail Stepanova
The above bathroom on the ceiling and walls are installed several light sources, achieving uniform illumination
Some manufacturers offer backlit shelves, where the light source is hidden behind the glass.
For mounting in the suspended ceiling it is better to choose special lamps with reflectors
Photo of Karen Manko
A wide mirror can be highlighted from above, placing the lamp at a height of 2m from the floor level. Along with conventional halogen sources, luminescent, the radiation spectrum of which is close to the natural
Photo of Peter Lebedev
The presence of the window the light script changes little, as it is usually covered with matte glass or blinds. However, the window gives a feeling of space, it is easier in such a room.
Photo Mikhail Stepanova
Capsule lamps with a variable angle of rotation - an excellent solution for suspended ceilings
We can solve the zoning tasks with the help of glowing borders. LEDs are built directly into the material, when installing, they are connected to the network voltage adapter
Photo George Shablovsky
Tubular lamps with a long spiral are optimal for lighting the mirror in the bathroom. Emitted by them light warm tonality closer to white than that of incandescent lamps, due to which it exceeds the surrounding colors
Photo Zinur Ranidovnova
Mochamps with interference reflector Two thirds of thermal radiation takes back, which is very important for suspended structures
Photo Vitaly Nefedova
The lamps for the bathroom usually buy simultaneously with the rest of the accessories, in this case you can purchase a collection made in a single key.
Conductive system rails can be located along the wall
Embedded halogen lamps with a changeable angle of rotation
Photo Vitaly Nefedova
Bathrooms are also suitable for lighting systems with a guide-host bus that makes it possible to install a lamp anywhere.
Luminaires are attached to the conductor with the help of unique adapters for each system
The two-tire system consists of a pair of thin metal tubes with a diameter of 4-10mm, located at a distance from 3 to 20cm from each other
What will light in the bathroom, solve, naturally, its owner. But for the choice to be conscious, it will not hurt to get acquainted with the safety requirements, lighting standards, Aza Limpsine and, finally, with lighting products, which are presented in the market today.
Light without danger
The existing rules of the device of electrical installations adopted in 1999 include bathrooms to the zones of increased danger. Splashes and puddles, and condensate are possible here. Therefore, we will proceed from the security requirements provided for such premises. Accidentally, in the immediate vicinity of water (closer 0,6m), you can not have the elements of the wiring, install sockets, switches, high-voltage lamps. Ceiling and wall light sources prescribed to supply ceiling and lift over water levels at least 2m, and all the metal reinforcement, designed for the network voltage, must be reassembled. And it is not allowed to use portable lamps and open lighting fittings. Listening to the applying lamp near the bath it is required to equip the switch with the cord. A good, but rather expensive way to avoid direct contact of wet hands with a remote control switch, radio wave or on IR rays.When choosing a lamp, first of all, it is worth paying attention to the marking consisting of the letters of IP (index of Protection) and two digits: the first is indicated by the degree of protection against dust, the second - from moisture (if only one type of protection is significant for this product, on the site of the missing place put x). The IEC529 standard and European standards EN60598 established eight degrees of protection against moisture penetration: from 0 (no protection) to 8 (protection against water penetration during long-term immersion).
How many people need a light?
Bad, if your bathroom looks a dark or light in it so much like that, at the entrance you will unwittingly pucherate your eyes. That is why experts advise to proportionate the level of illumination of the bathroom with adjacent premises. Make the right calculations will help average power indicators that must be installed on 1m2 bathroom area. To obtain lighting in 100 lc suitable for simple work, it is necessary that for standard incandescent lamps this indicator was 20-30W / m2, for halogen - 10-15W / m2, for daylight lamps - 4-6W / m2. The first figure refers to the premises where light surfaces prevail, the second to the darker. As you can see, the difference between them is large enough. It is clear, because the reflection coefficient of white wall light is 0.7-0.85, and green or, for example, blue, already 0.03-0.04.
Based on these numbers, it is easy to determine the optimal level of illumination, which is approximately 200 LCs. Of course, it can be installed and empirically, according to the principle "if it is comfortable, it means that correctly." However, such a selection will require experiments - from the first time to the point get difficult. The appropriate option for a small bathroom is set one, but a fairly powerful lamp equipped with a special light control device. By the way, many high-quality devices present in the Russian market have a similar function.
Social or without?
By the grace of designers, most of us are dark, although in the old or, on the contrary, new houses in them are still found. Natural light gives a feeling of space, in such a room it is easier to breathe. As for the lighting, even during the daytime, the window is unlikely to fully cope with this problem, since it is usually closed by blinds, matte glass or stained glass window. In other words, the presence or absence of a light scenario changes little. Rather, this is a matter of psychological comfort. After all, many people feel uncomfortable in a small closed space. You can help them, having folded one of the walls of the bathroom from the glass blocks, through which the natural light will penetrate other premises. Or cut down the window in the wall bordering the room where sunlight enters. Or imitate the window, setting up a backlight in a wall niche, poked matte glass.May the light be!
As we said, light in the bathroom should be a lot, but ... not too. The standard in this regard is the overall light. For a small room, the problem is solved simply enough of one lighting device. When choosing a place to install the lamp, keep in mind that it is better to have it on the conditional axis between the mirror and looking into it by a person without deviating either on the sides or back. Otherwise, the lighting will be uneven, unnecessary shadows are formed. But the traditional version of the installation is optimal, high above the mirror, at a distance of several tens of centimeters from the ceiling.
The above bathroom on the ceiling or walls set several light sources, achieving uniform illumination. Usually, miniature halogen lamps are used for this. For the installation on the ceiling, the lamps with an adjustable angle of rotation are best suitable, since the light is directed perpendicular to down, can trigger the highlight. The optimal angle of rotation is 40. It must be remembered that the main thing in the fight against glare is to avoid high illumination at eye level.
Mute the reflection of the light from the glossy tile will help recessed in the wall or ceiling lamps with light scattering glass, and lamps with golden spraying will make a cold glitter of white ceramics and metal warmer. In love case, the lighting should not conflict with the environment. For a saturated brilliant bathroom decor, matte lamps are perfect, which do not give glare. However, it is necessary to consider that the matte glass reduces the illumination by about 30%.
Since general lighting is basic, better if it is warm, soft. This means that ordinary incandescent lamps and halogen lamps with a matte diffuser are preferable. The optimal variant is the combination of reflected light with direct directed.
Degree of protection of lamps
IPX0 protection is missing (marking may not be affixed);IPX1- protection against water drops falling vertically;
IPX2- protection against water drops falling at an angle to 15;
IPX3 protection from rain falling at an angle of up to 60 from the vertical;
IPX4- protection against droplets and splashes falling at any angle;
IPX5- protection against water jets of arbitrary direction;
IPX6 protection against exposure to water flows or a strong jet;
IPX7- protection against water when immersed on a certain depth and time;
IPX8 protection against water with an unlimited immersion time to a certain depth.
The degree of protection specified in the technical characteristics of the device or device is evidence that the product complies with standards and the manufacturer guarantees the quality of its products.
How many lamps with this or that degree of protection you will need depends on the light script. But it is better to come from the rules for installing lamps in bathrooms of residential premises (VDE0100, Part 701), according to which the bathroom space is divided into four zones. Zone 0 corresponds to the lighting devices ipch7 (up to 12V), zone 1- ipx4 (in shower cabins with high water pressure - ipx5), zone 2- ipx4, zone 3- ipx1.
My light, the mirror ...
According to designers, the main object in the bathroom is not a bath at all, but the mirror traditionally addressed over the sink. It is the main "working area", requiring a special light regime even in a small room. For this purpose, any kind of light sources will be suitable. It is only important to choose them correctly and arrange.
The light near the mirror should be bright, but at the same time soft, scattered and as close as possible to the natural one. Games with color here are better not to arrange not to scare your own reflection. Bright light not only blind eyes, but also distorts the image: directed from top to bottom, it highlights all the flaws of the face, and at the bottom ups the deep shadows. So that the image does not work out the deadly pale, you need a source of warm light. In this case, any lamps with a warm radiation spectrum will be appropriate, but the best options lamps with the golden mirror coating of the dome of the flask.
How to locate the luminaires at the mirror? The traditional solution is to establish them symmetrically on the sides, which will provide smooth, without shadows and glare, the distribution of light. This will probably be optimal for a mirror stretched up. Here are preferable long narrow halogen lamps, ordinary scaves or rows of small built-in luminaires, which, with a special glue, are fixed directly on the surface of the mirror. A wide mirror can be highlighted from above, by placing the light source at an altitude of approximately 2m from the floor level (if the mirror is at a distance of more than 2.5 m from the bath). Perfect if the lamp on the brackets, it will allow to direct the light a bit up. The mirror of an average value close in shape to a square or a circle is often framed around the perimeter with built-in luminaires.
Manufacturers of equipment, furniture and accessories for bathrooms often offer to the consumer their lighting options for mirrors. We have undoubted advantages. First, such solutions are well thought out from the point of view of the Lamzayn, and secondly, the lamps are made in a single stylist with the rest of the objects. One example is the suspended mirror lockers with backlight, which combine the function of the mirror and tank for toiletries. The price of such a locker manufactured in Italy or Germany is on average range from 600 to 1500. More democratic variant-mirror shelves with halogen backlit (50-70) - offer Russian companies.
This ... whiter lunar light!
The land of the promised called the bathtub, Ivan Kozyrev, about whose university in the new apartment at one time told the Mire Mayakovsky. Yes, and many of us, which have long been accustomed to this blessing of civilization, belong to him with love, as to the place where you can have a soul and body. Agree, such a zone fully deserves the light accent, but not only a bright, but soft, relaxing.Some manufacturers offer autonomous bathing models, hiding light sources behind a matte plastic or perforated metal screen. But, perhaps, much more pleasant if the soft light flows from above, for example, from the brain, fixed sufficiently high on the wall. The flooring on a long thin leg will look very stylish with the adjustable position of the lamp. But before implementing this unexpected solution for the bathroom, make sure that the flooring is sufficiently stable. To emphasize the intimacy of the intimation procedure, by immersing the rest of the room in the twilight.
By the way, color is quite appropriate in this zone. Flashing glass plaffers or wall-mounted baths Sofa with colored whirlpools "paint" water and create a bizarre game on its surface. It looks unusually colored backlight, which is created by the device installed under water. But manufacturers equipped with such a function only the most expensive (4-4.5 thousand and higher) or exclusive models of hydromassage baths. Installation of electrical equipment Only for the sake of the underwater lamp is not profitable neither by the manufacturer or the buyer.
For the same reason, most shower cabins are deprived of autonomous backlight. Rudom, but you can find models of shower with backlit based on optical fiber or LEDs. But it is rather decor than lighting. So the problem with light in this zone will have to be solved on your own. For the shower, the lamp-tablet, and long halogen or luminescent lamps, mounted on the wall on the cabin sides, and even the backlight on the floor are suitable for shower. For the floor, devices are fully applicable, which highlight garden tracks. Thus, the Kits of the company GARDENA, which includes five halogen sources on 5V, cables, connectors, and transformer, costs only $ 65. Coppie The lamps are attached by conventional screws, for which holes are provided in the housings.
A particularly intimate zone with a toilet and a bidet of special lighting, perhaps, does not require, if only you are not an amateur to extract in the "corner of thoughtfulness" fresh press. In place space will help to navigate the backlight, mounted in the sanitary ware. As a rule, it is based on LED technology and mostly fulfilled to order. At the request of the client, such a backlight will automatically turn on, for example, when water is spoiled from the tap. Single the same LEDs or light guides, you can pave a luminous path to the toilet bowl, sink, outline the border of the bath area, especially if it is mounted in the podium. To do this, it is enough to secure translucent tiles in the floor covering, placing the LEDs under them. According to the same principle, luminous wave-like borders from the Flow collection from Steuler, which are allowed on the surface of the walls, combining with a special tile Tranformar. The backlight is carried out at the expense of LEDs built directly into the material and connected to the adapter of the network voltage. Of course, we are talking about the clean element of the decor. But thanks to him, it is possible to solve the tasks of zoning. In love case, we must not forget that this is not too complicated, but still an electrical device, and a specialist should be engaged in installing. The level of price is just 90 per border length about 40 cm.
Love lamps - light source!
Taking into account the restrictions dictated by security standards, almost any light sources are suitable for the bathroom: incandescent lamps, luminescent, halogen.
Incandescent lamps are the most common and cheapest. Invented about 120 years ago, they still eat a lot of energy, 95% of which spend on the formation of heat. Nonwork and their resource is about 1000 hours of continuous operation. True, for the bathrooms it is not important, since the light bulb is burning here for a couple of hours a day. With this mode, it will last a year and a half, giving you warm, comfortable light.
Along with standard, the market offers miniature crypton lamps with an increased almost 10% reduction brightness. Or lamps with a silicated inner surface of the flask, giving a soft, not blinding light. In the early time, samples are popular with silver or golden mirror coating on the dome boosting. A variety of form-shaped, in the form of fungus, tubular. The latter are perfect for the lighting of the mirror, especially since we look especially attractive in the radiated world.
Luminescent lamps have high light output with low energy consumption (40-50 lm / W). To ensure the illumination comparable to the incandescent lamp, the energy is required four to five times smaller. They are durable (10-15 thousand hours of continuous operation) and provide stable light streams to the end of the service it decreases by only 5%. Fluorescent lamps attract a variety of forms: besides straight, there are round, u-shaped, in the form of a spiral ... But small, reminiscent of ordinary light bulbs are especially popular.
It used to be believed that the cold light emitted by luminescent lamps absorbs and distorts the surrounding colors. However, today the spectrum of their radiation is as close as possible to the natural. There are on the market and lamps with warm light. It and others are perfectly reproducing colors. The new generation products are no longer considered as a source of increased danger, the level of mercury content is significantly reduced. Untenable and reproach that they flicker and buzz. Thanks to the use of a system with electronic starters (EPR), modern lamps turn on instantly and work without flickering and noise. By the way, the lamps appeared on sale, the radiation intensity of which can be adjusted: Turning it off, and then turning on it again, you will halfway, you will half down shove the glow brightness and reduce current consumption.
Halogen lamps that appeared on our market relatively recently, it seems, have already won a competitive control with other light sources. The reason for their miniature, durability (2-6 thousand hours) and high light output with low power consumption (14-30 lm / W). With the power of 20W, they provide the same illumination as the incandescent bulb to 60W (10lm). Even above the light-status at the "halogen" with mirror reflectors. Thanks to the ribs on the mirror surface, the angle of dispersion of the light beam varies from 8 to 60, which is very valuable for accentuating lighting.
Lamps having a cylindrical or candlestone flask are used in lamps requiring a miniature source. Tubular, with a long spiral, suitable for lighting the mirror in the bathroom. Emitted by them light warm tonality closer to white than that of incandescent lamps, thanks to which it exceeds the surrounding colors. Capsule models, with compact glow body and a changeable rotation angle, is an excellent solution for suspended ceilings. Anecheter samples can be embedded even in overlap. Mochamps with interference reflector Two thirds of thermal radiation are given back, which is very important for suspended structures. The technology of the heat released is successfully fighting and technologies that translated it into visible light, and with excess UV radiation, a quartz glass that cuts this part of the spectrum. Bathrooms have special protected halogen lamps with a capacity of 20W.
Today, the whole world translates low-power devices (up to 100W) to safe voltage, and there are particularly relevant low-voltage (12-24V) halogen lamps. Easie for bathrooms they are almost perfect.
Lighting devices on LEDs are becoming increasingly popular among relatively new light sources. They require low supply voltage, not heated, electrical and explosion-proof. The ability to continuously work for 80-100 thousand hours and resistance to mechanical loads allows you to climb them into the floor or wall without fears. There are already lamps with LEDs of the combined and solar spectrum (HP SunPower series). Because of the low power, they are still used when zoning space and creating color accents. However, the appearance of heavy duty LEDs is undoubtedly expanding the scope of their use.
A spectacular and absolutely safe solution system using light guides. They require only one source of light, which can be installed even outside the bathroom, and the light with them is supplied to any point of space.
The Russian market presents products of the best Western manufacturers: OSRAM, Paulmann, General Electric Lighting, Philips, Silvania Idr. Their range, as a rule, covers the entire range of products, from traditional incandescent bulbs to professional special-purpose models. As for the light sources used in everyday life, they are very close to the nomenclature, and in quality, and in terms of prices. Experts also note that the goods legally present in the market is quite competitive in quality, not to mention the price, but loses on the model range. Approximately the same situation with Russian products. On ordinary incandescent lamps, there are practically no difference between our and imported products. Avot with portable luminescent and "mirrors" while problems.
The only thing you need to be afraid is fakes that literally flooded the domestic market. Of course, in branded salons, they are unlikely to meet. Avot in the markets and in small shops is quite possible. Studying the marking on the package, note that according to the rules of trade, the address of the manufacturer in Russian should be specified. Feel free to demand the seller certificate, although its authenticity is also not guaranteed.
The market prices in the market is very large, mainly among themselves compete products of Russian and Asian manufacturers, on the one hand, and Russian and Western ones. Products of the latter, as a rule, costs 5-10 times more expensive than domestic analogues. The price of lamps depends on the power: 45W products are two or three times cheaper than 100-watt. Our incandescent lamps can be purchased for 4-6 rubles, the cost of imported samples of the same class will be 1-1.5, and the latest generation models - 4-6. The cheapest domestic halogen sources are about 10 rubles., Foreign more expensive in four or five times. Few higher the price of ordinary fluorescent lamps, but miniature are still expensive (7-10).
Their shiny lamps
Luminaires are usually not chosen in advance. They are bought either simultaneously with the rest of the bathroom accessories, and then the best option is to purchase a collection made in a single key, or postpone the purchase until the style of the premises is fully defined. We will have to choose from a huge number of proposals - the range of lamps includes tens of thousands of models. Diverse and Design Solutions - Baroque, Classic, Modern, Minimalism, High Tech ...
Before going to the salon, you need to designate at least some landmarks. It should be borne in mind that, for example, in its purpose, the lamps are included in one of the six groups: for a common, local, combined, decorative, orienting and exposure lighting. By the installation method, they are divided into ceiling, suspended, embedded, wall, outdoor and desktop. Classified products and sources used light-light fittings are released in the calculation of certain lamp parameters, indicating them on the packaging and in the instructions.
The lamps are distinguished and the manufacturing material: a horse-in-law (triplex or duplex), borosilicate, transparent, matte, color, Muranous, with an ice pattern or water droplets; Metal-stylization under gold, aluminum, chrome, aged bronze IT.D. Functional luminaires made of matte glass are most appropriate, in combination with metal. They best harmonize with plumbing equipment and the accessories offered in the market.
In the direction of the light stream, the luminaires of the straight light are divided (directed down), the scattered light (directed upward is pointing down) and the reflected light (directed up). For general lighting, the bathroom is relevant models of the last two types. They provide a uniform distribution of light and form soft shadows.
For lamps, such an indicator is important as light distribution evaluated by the CCC (the curve of the forces of light). Products with cosine CCC are suitable for creating general lighting with soft light transitions, moderate contrast and a uniform distribution of light in rooms with the usual height of the ceilings. Models with a wide CCC will provide almost the same quality lighting in low ceilings rooms. But, establishing them, it is necessary to take care that the straight light does not get into the eyes.
If you like luminaires built into the ceiling, it is useful to know that they can be made under incandescent lamps and under halogen. The first decrease the height of the ceilings on 8-12 cm, the second is 3.5-6 cm. In wet premises, it is better to use plaffones with protective glass, and incandescent lamps, with condensate covering casing. Devices with halogen sources will cost more, but will pay off a hundredfold during operation.
By choosing the lamps of the desired type and design, do not forget to check their performance and reliability of the details. Make sure that the lamp is normally screwed into the cartridge, and the internal surfaces of the product requiring regular cleaning are easily accessible. This is especially important if the purchase is accomplished in a small shop or market. After all, almost half of the imported luminaires are present in Russia, so to speak, unofficially. Punta is about products from China, Taiwan, Poland, Turkey, the UAE, often not satisfying a demanding buyer or in quality or design. As a rule, the goods refers to the lowest price category (30-100). The in-law salons are presented lamps of leading Italian, Spanish, Austrian, German, Belgian, American, Finnish manufacturers. The Russian companies Marbel, CJSC "Saturn", "Electroloch", "Point Support" IDR, have proven well.
The design of the design is undoubtedly leading Italy. Her lump-classical models. Austrian, Belgian and German manufacturers are closer minimalism. The prices of their products range from 100 to 40 thousand and higher for exclusive samples. The cost of lamps for bathrooms is usually not too large. Thus, the Finnish company Lival offers a series of specialized products with dust and splash protection (IP22-IP44) and built-in sockets at a price of 615 to 1600 rubles, Austrian EGLo- from 281 to 5804 rubles, German OSRAM- from 395 to 3070 rub.
So, modern technologies allow you to implement any designer fantasy in the bathroom. For example, make the swaying laid out of the smalt floor or deploy the starry sky above the head. But it is better if the light decor is not too abundant and the motley and at least a bit functional. Let them serve as a guide to the limitless sea of opportunities a guide to you and the motto of modern design: "Functionality, restraint, simplicity."
The editorial board thanks Studio Line, salon "Lamps on a small Ordinet", representation of companies OSRAM and General Electric for help in the preparation of material.