When water is in close proximity to electricity, we generally agree it’s potentially a bad situation if you are there too. When there is some distance between water and electricity we feel safer. Zones are designed to define areas with precise measurements in an effort to keep you safe. In the wiring standards AS/NZS3000 bath, shower and fixed water container section, there are four zones. Each zone has its own rules on what can and cannot be installed.

More about bathroom zones here.

Zone 0: Best thought of as the area that may collect water such us the shower trough, a sink or bath.
Zone 1: Usually adjacent to Zone 0, i.e, shower walls.
Zone 2: For showers, it is the area immediately outside the shower door area. For vanities and baths, it is the area surrounding the water containment.
Zone 3: An area outside of zone 2, usually thought of as the least restrictive.

An obvious example on the use of zones is in Zone 0, power outlets are not permitted. You do not want a power point in the base of your shower!

Lighting in zones has the requirements below:

• Zone 0 is permitted, but it must be designed specifically for use in a bath or shower, be low voltage and have an IPX7 (Ingress Protection) rating.
• Zone 1 requires IPX4.
• Zone 2 requires IPX4 OR double insulated OR low voltage OR be recessed into the ceiling.
• Zone 3 has no IP rating requirements.