IEC 60364 wet-room zones (Zone 0 / 1 / 2)
The standard that defines where you can — and can’t — put electrical fixtures in a bathroom. Adopted across the EU, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The US uses a different model (NEC Article 680 for tubs/showers).
What it is
IEC 60364-7-701 (“Locations containing a bath or shower”) divides the space around a bathtub or shower into concentric zones based on water-exposure risk. The closer to the water source, the stricter the rules for what electrical equipment is allowed there.
The standard is implemented nationally as:
- Germany — VDE 0100-701
- UK — BS 7671 Section 701
- Australia / NZ — AS/NZS 3000 Section 6.2 (the zone model is close but the wording differs in places)
Zone 0 — inside the bath or shower
Definition. The volume inside a bathtub or shower basin, up to the rim height.
What’s allowed. Only SELV (separated extra-low voltage, ≤ 12 V AC / ≤ 30 V DC) equipment, and only equipment specifically rated for Zone 0 use. IP rating IPX7 minimum (immersion-resistant).
In practice. Almost nothing. Underwater spa lighting designed for the purpose. That’s it.
Zone 1 — above and around the bath/shower
Definition. The volume directly above Zone 0, up to a height of 2.25 m. For a shower without a basin (walk-in showers), Zone 1 is a vertical cylinder around the shower head at 0.6 m radius.
What’s allowed. Fixed equipment rated SELV or with 30 mA RCD/GFCI protection. IP rating IPX4 minimum (splash-resistant).
In practice. Ceiling-mounted LED downlights designed for bathrooms. Electric showers. Heated towel rails (with appropriate IP rating). No socket outlets. No switches except a pull-cord. Specialty SELV equipment like underbath whirlpool motors (rare; needs explicit certification).
Zone 2 — the wider perimeter
Definition. The 0.6 m wide strip extending horizontally from the boundary of Zone 1.
What’s allowed. Fixed equipment with 30 mA RCD/GFCI protection. IP rating IPX4 minimum.
In practice. Wall-mounted bathroom lights, ventilation fans, electric heaters. Shaver supply units only — not general 13 A sockets (UK) or 16 A Schuko (DE).
Outside the zones
Anywhere in the room beyond Zone 2 is “outside the zones.” Standard wall fixtures apply, with the regional rule that the entire bathroom circuit must still have 30 mA RCD/GFCI protection. Sockets are allowed if they’re at least 3 m from the boundary of Zone 1 in UK/EU practice; the US (NEC) requires GFCI on any bathroom receptacle plus a dedicated 20 A circuit.
IP ratings: what the codes mean
| IP code | What it means | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| IPX4 | Protected against splashing water from any direction | Zone 1, Zone 2 |
| IPX5 | Protected against jets of water | Outdoor walls (sheltered) |
| IPX7 | Protected against immersion up to 1 m | Zone 0 (rare) |
| IPX8 | Continuous immersion (depth specified by manufacturer) | Pool / spa underwater fixtures |
| IP44 | Protected against solid objects >1 mm + splashing | Typical bathroom lights and switches |
| IP55 / IP65 | Dust-tight + water jets | Outdoor sockets and lights |
Where the US is different
The NEC doesn’t use the IEC zone model. Instead, NEC Article 680 covers swimming pools and similar, and NEC Article 210.8 requires GFCI protection for receptacles in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry, outdoor, garage, and several other “wet” locations. The functional equivalent of “Zone 1” in NEC practice is “within 1.8 m of a tub or shower stall”, where receptacles are GFCI-protected and luminaires must be listed for damp or wet locations.
If you’re using WireSketch’s NEC region: the wet-room mode draws IEC zones as a planning aid, but the legal compliance you’ll work to is NEC 210.8 GFCI + Article 410 luminaire-location rules. Treat the zone overlay as informational, not normative.
How WireSketch shows zones
Switch a project to “wet room” type, mark the bathtub or shower position, and Zone 0/1/2 appear as coloured overlays on the wall photo. Fixtures placed in a zone show their IP-compliance status; non-compliant placements (a 13 A socket dropped in Zone 1) raise a warning. The Renovation Brief PDF includes the zone overlay so your electrician sees what you intended.