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IP65 light fitting in bathroom zone 2?

Farmboy
Electrical equipment in zone 2 in a bathroom must be rated at minimum IPX4 (excluding shaver units...), so, can an IP65 (circular bulkhead style) light fitting be used in zone 2? Mention was made elsewhere that IP ratings are not cumulative, suggesting that e.g IP65 would not be suitable in a minimum IPX4 area. 


F
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    If it can withstand water jets from any direction (IPX65), I'd say its safe to say it can withstand water splashes from any direction (IPX4)


    regards,

    burn
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    In this case IPx4 is no mechanical protection against ingress of dust  wires or fingers ,(first digit, the x means 'any') and protected against splashing (the 4)


    IP 65 is dust tight (the 6) and protected against water jets.


    If it passes IP 65 it must pass  IPx4 ...

    wikipedia reminder of IP codes


    Regards Mike


    edit crossed in the post, agree.
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     minimum IPX4 area. 

     


     


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    geoffsd:
     minimum IPX4 area. 

     


     






    I know, which suggests IP65 would be acceptable, but comment by others that IP ratings are not cumulative suggests that for an IP65 fitting to be used, the fitting must also state that it will give IPX4 protection as well - i.e. don't assume that IP65 will give IPX4 protection, unless the fittings states it so. I don't know where they're getting their information from about not being cumulative, as I agree with previous posts in this thread, but that's their position - very odd. 


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    Comment by which others ?  And in what context ?


    Normally when folk say this this it means that 2 cages one inside the over each  of IP20 does not make one of IP40, which is true.


    But an IP55 object always  meets and exceeds IP44....

    regards Mike,.
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    Mention was made elsewhere that IP ratings are not cumulative

    IP ratings are cumulative if you like, but the notation can be confusing if you don't know how it's worked out - which can make it look like they're not in a way.


    For instance IP50 doesn't include IP47 even though 50 is a larger number that 47 - you need to split things up into individual digits - if both digits are same same or higher then you're fine.


       - Andy.
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    I haven't been on the forum much in last couple of days, so wondered if I had missed a thread about IP ratings -but it seems others are also questioning the source.


    I did mention quite some time ago that IP69 does not guarantee IP68 or IP67.

    But up to IP66 always includes IP65, IP64 etc.

    IP66 resists strong jets, but this could be done by a "tortuous path" and so not necessarily pass IP67 submersion.

    Similarly IP67 submersion can be achieved with a weak gasket or flimsy membrane etc that is overcome by a strong jet.

    IP69 is hot high pressure jets, but from above. So in some cases could pass with a bucket over it and clearly not resist submersion or strong jets from below. 


    Edit: it is common to find eg connectors rated IP65/IP67. So they have passed both tests (and presumably doesn't meet IP66).

    If equipment meets all three it should be marked IP66/IP67/IP69  or IP66/IP68/IP69 as appropriate.
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    Farmboy:

    Electrical equipment in zone 2 in a bathroom must be rated at minimum IPX4 (excluding shaver units...), so, can an IP65 (circular bulkhead style) light fitting be used in zone 2? Mention was made elsewhere that IP ratings are not cumulative, suggesting that e.g IP65 would not be suitable in a minimum IPX4 area. 


    F


    Did we really have any serious problems years ago with a bare 60 Watt filament bulb fitted in a bathroom ceiling "Home Office" skirted batten holder.


    Fires, shock, explosion or world society meltdown?


    Z


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    Zoomup:
    Farmboy:

    Electrical equipment in zone 2 in a bathroom must be rated at minimum IPX4 (excluding shaver units...), so, can an IP65 (circular bulkhead style) light fitting be used in zone 2? Mention was made elsewhere that IP ratings are not cumulative, suggesting that e.g IP65 would not be suitable in a minimum IPX4 area. 


    F


    Did we really have any serious problems years ago with a bare 60 Watt filament bulb fitted in a bathroom ceiling "Home Office" skirted batten holder.


    Fires, shock, explosion or world society meltdown?


    Z






    Arguably not. I was just interested by the non cumulative aspect of IP ratings, suggesting a fitting may not be suitable as first thought. I was aware of the separation of figures, etc, as AJ points out, but would've thought that a higher water index would have assured adequacy in a location, when exceeding a locations minimum requirements, but apparently not in all cases.


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    IP66 resists strong jets, but this could be done by a "tortuous path" and so not necessarily pass IP67 submersion.

    Other way around surely? We wouldn't expect an IP66 item to pass an IP67 test.


    I do take the point though - immersion could be achieved by a "diving bell" kind of arrangement but that would be useless for droplets (or jets) projected upward.


    The Wiki page Mike linked to seems to sum it up reasonably: "The ratings for water ingress are not cumulative beyond IPX6. A device that is compliant with IPX7 (covering immersion in water) is not necessarily compliant with IPX5 or IPX6 (covering exposure to water jets). A device that meets both tests is indicated by listing both tests separated by a slash, e.g. IPX5/IPX7."


    But going back to the OP's question  - an IP65 fitting is fine for satisfying an IPX4 requirement.


       - Andy.

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