Sauna lamps and their safety requirements
In order to ensure safety, sauna lamps must be protected from moisture with special covers and made of stainless steel. This limits the design idea a bit, but safety is much more important. In addition, you can use wooden grates to make the sauna lights more attractive. It is important that the sauna lamps are of high quality, not afraid of high temperature and high humidity. Sauna lamps must withstand temperatures above 100°C.
Sauna lamps and their types
The market offers the following types of sauna lights for saunas:
• Sauna lights with incandescent bulbs;
• Sauna lights with LED lighting;
• Sauna lights with optical systems.
Sauna lights with incandescent bulbs
Sauna lights using incandescent lamps must withstand high humidity and temperature. In order to protect the lamp from moisture, they are sealed. When choosing sauna lights, pay attention that their security class is at least IP56 (this class means that the lamp is resistant to moisture).
Sauna lamps can be used with incandescent lamps with a power of no more than 60 W. You cannot put high-power lamps in the sauna, because they not only heat up by themselves, but also from the heat of the sauna. The temperature in the sauna is already high, and if the temperature is increased by several tens of degrees from the lamps, it is possible to cause a fire.
Sauna lamps with LED lighting
Sauna lamps with LED lighting are completely safe, economical and reliable. In addition, they are not afraid of moisture. Some of the specially designed models have an IP65 safety class, even if the water stream is directed directly, the sauna lights will not become a source of danger. These sauna lights also have their drawbacks - they emit quite bright light, but with competent installation, this will not be a problem. In addition, some models allow you to change not only the brightness of the light flux, but also the color of the lighting using a special control unit. The range of the LED lamp is wide.
Sauna lamps with optical systems
Sauna lights with an optical lighting system are completely safe in any environment. The only thing is that fiber optic light only works with light waves, not electricity. Therefore, such systems can be installed both on the ceiling and at the bottom of the pool, creating incredible effects.
These sauna lights can withstand heat up to 200°C, so they can even be installed along the ceiling in a Russian sauna. Optical sauna lamps emit dim light, thus contributing to the creation of a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Such lighting is economical, long-lasting and easy to install, so it is completely understandable why these sauna lights are becoming more and more popular.
Sauna lamps and their installation
Choosing a sauna lamp is only half the job. There are still many issues that need to be resolved. The first is where to install the lamps.
Sauna lamps in the steam room. When it comes to the steam part of the sauna, the most important thing is not to hang sauna lights where they cannot be used. And you can't hang it near the heater. Even if sauna lights are heat-resistant, it is unlikely that they will withstand the flow of hot air that comes from the hot walls of the heater. Use good quality ceramic based lamps for steam rooms. It is logical when sauna lights are installed, for example, under shelves. Sauna lights are often installed in corners. Then they really don't get in the way: after all, corners are used very rarely. You might consider installing a horizontal fixture at the intersection of the wall and ceiling.
For a steam room with a temperature of 50-75° C, any heat and moisture resistant sauna lamps are suitable. It is stainless steel, aluminum, heat-resistant plastics. Just pay attention to the temperature regime: at least 100° C.
Sauna lights in a sauna with dry air. In a Finnish sauna with dry air, ceramic-based sauna lamps must be installed.
Sauna lights in the washroom. There are no particularly high temperatures in the washroom, but there is high humidity and splashes of water. And this, together with electricity, is dangerous. This room should have the same sauna lights as the bathroom. Conditionally, the entire washroom is divided into three zones where you can use lighting devices of various protection classes:
• The first zone is near the water source (faucet, shower head, shower cabin, etc.). There is very high humidity, water can enter in any quantity and in any direction. 12 V sauna lights are placed here, the water protection class is at least 5 (IP 45, 46, 56, etc.).
• The second zone is at a distance of 60 cm from the water source, bathtub, shower cabin, swimming pool. Here, water is less likely to get caught, so the sauna lights can be with 4th protection class.
• The third zone is relatively dry, so protection class 1 is sufficient.
So, choose which sauna lights are most acceptable to you and try them in your sauna.
