Bathroom zone 1 dimmer switch

[lasors]

I'm planning a new bathroom, to be lit using downlights (x4) and a fibre optic 'starlight' ceiling (separate systems/circuits). I want to be able to dim the downlights to highlight the starlights when IN the bath.

Is there such a switch that is zone 1 safe that's not a pull cord?

Downlight voltage has not been decided yet. Opinions on this also welcome!

Many thanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1) Downlights (assuming you mean the 2" diameter ones) won't light the room very well, as they are designed to not light rooms.

2) Have you read the last sentence here: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:bathroom-zones#zone-1?

 

[lasors]

1) I have downlights in the kitchen, it's lit pretty well. The bathroom is only 2.5 x 1.5.

2) Don't worry, any notifiable work will be carried out by an electrician. I wanted to know if it was even possible.

I have found a product called Taptile, which looks good, if an expensive fix.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1) I have downlights in the kitchen, it's lit pretty well. The bathroom is only 2.5 x 1.5.

If the lights are designed to light up room spaces, why would you need 4 in a room that small? Surely 1 would be enough?

2) Don't worry, any notifiable work will be carried out by an electrician. I wanted to know if it was even possible.

So the answer is no - you haven't read that, not even after being pointed at it.

I have found a product called Taptile, which looks good, if an expensive fix.

That sort of thing, or a remote, is the only way.

 

[lasors]

I take it you're not a fan of downlights? They light rooms well enough and are not designed to be used alone. I think they're good for workspaces in kitchens and bathrooms as they provide directed light if installed properly. No point having a light behind you casting shadows when you're chopping carrots or shaving in the mirror. Plus they provide a nice effect, whereas single ceiling light fitting is a bit dull.

My apologies for not following your link correctly, I clicked the link and read the last bit on the page, rather than realising it was linking directly to the paragraph on zone 1. I then assumed you took the commonly found view of 'it's electrics and will definitely kill you so don't bother thinking about it just call an electrician'!

A remote is probably the way to go.

 

[riveralt]

I'm planning a new bathroom, to be lit using downlights (x4) and a fibre optic 'starlight' ceiling (separate systems/circuits). I want to be able to dim the downlights to highlight the starlights when IN the bath.

Sounds very nice. By the way ignore BAS he has a fixation about downlights and consistently fails to understand that they do provide light in specific locations which is want you want.
Furthermore, as BAS is not an electrician he also completely fails to realise that in the trade the most important person is the customer and the customer can have whatever they want.

Is there such a switch that is zone 1 safe that's not a pull cord?

I have never seen one advertised as IP rated for zone 1.

Downlight voltage has not been decided yet. Opinions on this also welcome!

Some people say that 12 v lamps give a 'cleaner' light - personally I would stick to 230v lamps - you avoid the additional problem of finding a suitable dimmer compatible power supply transformer - plus one less thing to go wrong.

 

[lasors]

Thanks for your input riveralt.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

By the way ignore BAS he has a fixation about downlights and consistently fails to understand that they do provide light in specific locations which is want you want.

I thought he wanted to light up his bathroom.

Furthermore, as BAS is not an electrician he also completely fails to realise that in the trade the most important person is the customer and the customer can have whatever they want.

But lasors is not my customer, nor is he yours. Neither of us have a financial incentive to pander to him.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

single ceiling light fitting is a bit dull.

Well it would be if it were a single recessed 2" torch.

If it were a proper luminaire designed to illuminate whole room spaces it would not be dull at all.

 

[winston1]

You could fit a dimmer outside the bathroom.

 

[JohnW2]

You could fit a dimmer outside the bathroom.

I want to be able to dim the downlights to highlight the starlights when IN the bath.

Kind Regards, John

 

[stetomo]

Hi Lasors,

Cant give you much advice on a dimmer switch as i put my switch outside, but I have recently done my bathroom ceiling. I have 4 * 230V, GU10 downlights (one above shower is a proper zone 1 fitting) running with 3W LED bulbs in them. They throw off a good light, nice and clean.

bathroom ceiling

• stetomo
• 13 Sep 2013
• 1

Can you give us some infomation on those starlights please. Do they come in a kit? And would i be able to mount them in a plastic ceiling?

 

[lasors]

Google star kits. Can't see why they wouldn't work on a plastic ceiling. You drill tiny holes for individual fibre optic strands which are threaded through the ceiling to the loft then bunched together and LED light projected down each strand. Quite labour intensive but inherently simple.

If the ceiling has a room above you'll find access difficult. A shallow false ceiling is often used here.

 

[lasors]

I wonder how many of those 40,000 posts you've wasted being a grumpy sod, lol. If you can't answer the question why waste your time.

Anyway, as an aside, the remote dimmers I have found seem suitable, but, is it possible to have one of these dimmers in series with a pull cord switch? ie. Most of the time the cord would be used to turn the lights on and off, but when needed the lights can be dimmed by remote, having already been turned on by the cord. Obviously the remote switches are usually touch operated as well, but as this is a bathroom, it would be ceiling mounted so it couldn't be touched.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I did answer your questions. You just didn't like the answers, that's all.