Key points
- IP code: the first digit is protection against solids (0–6), the second against water (0–9). X replaces a digit that is not required to be specified.
- Zone 0: inside the bath or shower tray — only SELV equipment designed for it, at least IPX7.
- Zone 1: above the bath/shower up to typically 2.25 m. Zone 2: extends 0.6 m horizontally beyond zone 1 and requires at least IPX4.
- Ordinary sockets are not allowed within the zones, and bathroom circuits are protected by a 30 mA RCD.
A wet body offers less resistance to electricity, and a bathroom is wet by nature. So electrical standards give bathrooms a special section, IEC 60364-7-701, equivalent to section 701 of the British code BS 7671.
1) First: how to read an IP code
The IP code (degree of protection provided by an enclosure) is defined in IEC 605291:
- First digit (0–6): protection against solid objects and dust.
- Second digit (0–9): protection against water.
- X: replaces a digit that is not required to be specified; it does not mean there is no protection (no protection is 0)2.
| Second digit | Protection against water |
|---|---|
| 1 | Vertically dripping water |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° |
| 3 | Spraying water |
| 4 | Splashing water |
| 5 | Water jets |
| 6 | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Temporary immersion up to 1 m |
| 8 | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m |
| 9 | High-pressure, high-temperature jets |
Level names from the Electrical Installation Guide (Schneider Electric)2; immersion depths from a technical summary of IEC 60529 by an accredited test lab1. The exact test conditions are in the standard itself.
2) Bathroom zones
| Zone | Where? | Basic requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Inside the bath or shower tray | Only separated extra-low-voltage equipment (SELV: ≤ 12 V AC or ≤ 30 V DC) designed for this zone, at least IPX7. |
| 1 | Above the bath/shower up to 2.25 m from the finished floor, or up to the highest fixed shower head if higher (in BS 7671)3 | Fixed equipment designed for this zone, at least IPX4. |
| 2 | Extends 0.6 m horizontally beyond zone 1, to the same height | At least IPX4. |
Dimensions and the SELV condition are from the explanation of BS 7671 section 7013. Schneider Electric's installation guide summarises the protection per zone as: zone 0 = IPX7, zone 1 = IPX4 (IPX5 for showers with horizontal jets), zone 2 = IPX4, and all circuits outside the zones protected by a 30 mA RCD, an isolating transformer or SELV/PELV — noting this overview is based on the French code and the national code is the reference4. The binding reference in the Kingdom is SBC 4015.
3) Sockets in the bathroom
- Ordinary sockets are not allowed within the zones. The British code BS 7671 (701.512.3), for example, prohibits them within 2.5 m horizontally of the zone 1 boundary, except SELV outlets and shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 (with an isolating transformer)3.
- In the same code: zones 1 and 2 require at least IPX4, and all low-voltage circuits serving the bathroom or even passing through zones 1 and 2 must be protected by a 30 mA RCD (701.411.3.3)3. See the breakers guide.
4) Checklist when renovating a bathroom
- Fix the final bath/shower position first, then lay out electrical points based on the zones.
- Choose lights and extract fans with an IP rating suited to the zone.
- Ordinary light switches outside the bathroom or outside the zones.
- Make sure metal appliances (e.g. the water heater) are earthed and an RCD is present.
- The electric water heater is fed by a dedicated circuit sized by design.
Sources
The number next to a statement points to its source in this list. Sources back the general information; anything marked “practical advice” is editorial experience, not a quoted source. Anything that affects safety, structural design or electrical installations needs a licensed professional, and in Saudi Arabia the binding reference is the Saudi Building Code.
- 1IEC 60529 — Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) — Applus+ Keystone
- 2Protection provided for enclosed equipment: codes IP and IK — Electrical Installation Guide (Schneider Electric) — Chapter E
- 3Bathroom Electrical Zones: BS 7671 Section 701 Zone Guide — Elec-Mate
- 4Bathroom electrical installation — Electrical Installation Guide (Schneider Electric)
- 5Saudi Electrical Code SBC 401 — code requirements (based on IEC 60364 with local amendments) — Saudi Building Code National Committee