Frequently Asked Questions
At Holloways of Ludlow, we want to make sure that you have all the information you need to buy the right lighting, furniture, fixtures and fittings
for your home or project, whatever it may be. Use our list of frequently asked questions, answered below by our expert team, for a helping hand
whenever you need it.
What is an IP rating and how does it affect lighting?
IP (Ingress Protection) rating relates to how resistant the light is to
moisture and dust. Each of the two numbers represents a separate
value - the first relates to the amount of solids allowed in while the
second is the amount of moisture allowed in. The higher the IP rating,
the more protected the light is. Bathroom and outdoor lights should be
at least IP44 rated, meaning that they are protected from splashes and
weathering.
What are bathroom zones?
Bathroom zones indicate the distance of a fitting or fixture from the
water source, with the zone changing depending on its distance
from the water. Use bathroom zones to determine which IP rating is
required for your light.
Zone 0 -
inside a bath or shower itself. Any fitting in this area must use a low voltage supply that is a maximum of 12v with an IP rating of at least IPx7, meaning it can safely be immersed in water.
Zone 1 -
the area directly above zone 0 to the height of 2.25m from the bottom of your bath or shower tray. Fittings required in this area must use a 240v power supply, a 30ma residual current device and have an IP rating of IPx5 so that they are protected from water in all directions. Most shower lights are rated at IP65.
Zone 2 -
a 0.60m area outside the perimeter of the bath to the height of 2.25m from the floor. All fittings within this zone must have an IP rating of IPx4. If jets of water are used in your bath or shower, the fitting would instead require a rating of IPx5. It is safest to regard the area 0.60m around your basin and tap(s) as zone 2.
Zone 3 -
anywhere outside the other zones where no water jet is used. No IP rating is required in this zone, however, we recommend that you use lights with an IP rating of at least IP20.
Please note: A hanging or pendant-style fixture may be fixed in a zone 3 area, but if the body of the pendant hangs into a zone 2 or zone 1 space, then the light must have the appropriate IP rating in order to be safe from moisture.
When choosing bathroom or wetroom lighting, it’s always best to
double-check zoning with your electrician before purchasing any
fixtures or fittings.
Are light bulbs supplied with our light fittings?
Our lighting does not include bulb(s) unless the product specification states “bulb included”.
What are the different types of bulb?
There are many different types of bulb available to choose from, so picking the right one is key . We’ve highlighted some of the most popular to help you select the right one for your fitting and room.
Please note: all of our lights indicate the type of bulb required. Some have integrated lighting in which the bulbs cannot be changed but this is indicated within the description of the item.
Bayonet Cap: BC and SBC
Bayonet cap (BC) bulbs come with a push and twist locking mechanism and are usually used for mains voltage lamps, though they may also be found in some low voltage halogen lamps. The Small bayonet cap (SBC) is typically 15mm in diameter, while the Bayonet cap is 22mm in diameter.
Edison Screw: E type bulbs
Edison screw cap bulbs are the standard screw-in light bulb used widely around the world. These are available in a range of different sizes.
E5 - 5mm diameter
E10 - 10mm diameter
E12 - 12mm diameter
E14 - 14mm diameter
E27 - 27mm diameter
E40 - 40mm diameter
These bulb fittings apply to different types of bulb including LED, CFL and incandescent. The two most popular are E14 and E27.
Halogen and LED Spotlights: GU and GZ types
These are the most common spotlight types used in a wide range of our lighting. GU4 and GU5.3 are pins, while GU10 and GZ10 have locking
mechanisms that require a push and twist to fit the bulb. The GU10 has a slight bevel whereas the GZ10 does not and has a more square base.
These bulbs typically come in Halogen or LED versions
What does LED colour temperature (2000K) mean and which is best for me?
‘Colour temperature’ relates to the colour shade of the light, measured
in Kelvins (K). There are 4 main LED light colours to choose from:
Very warm white (under 2700K)
Warm white (2700-3200K)
Daylight (4000K-5000K)
Cool white (5500K-6500K)
Warm white usually indicates a yellow tint for subtle, cosy lighting
better suited to bedrooms and living rooms. Daylight bulbs imitate
natural light making them a versatile choice for any space. Cool white
indicates more of a blue hue and bright lighting which complements
more modern and contemporary decor, ideal for bathrooms and
kitchens.
Should I measure the space for my radiator?
Measurements are very specific and should only be done by a professional fitter . There are many aspects of radiators and radiator fitting that are difficult to gauge so we suggest having your fitter professionally measure before placing an order, and ensure you have received your product before scheduling any work. In some cases we cannot guarantee lead times or delivery times, so we can’t give you an exact date or time of delivery. Once an order is placed, we do our best to provide all this information to you, but we cannot guarantee delivery times due to the nature of the product
My question isn’t listed here - who can I speak to?
If you have a question about your order, a query about one of our products or a general enquiry, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful
Customer Service team.
Email: customerservice@hollowaysofludlow.com
Telephone : 020 7602 5757 - option 4
Available Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Please visit our Contact Us page for a full list of telephone numbers and email addresses you can use to get in contact with us - we’re here to help
however we can.