UL Listings for Lighting and Ceiling Fans: What Do UL Ratings Mean?

• UL Wet-Rated recessed lights at Lumens
• Globe Electric Wi-Fi Smart 4 in. Slim Baffle LED Recessed Lighting Kit 2-Pack, Multi-Color Changing RGB, Tunable White, Wet Rated

Note: "vapor proof" may have another meaning. I don't know.

Wet rated is not vapor proof. Vapor proof is fully sealed against water vapor, which is a much smaller molecule than liquid water. If you do not have vapor proof, water vapor will make it's way in and condense inside the light. Same with vapor proofing a shower. If it's not vapor proofed properly, water will pass through the waterproofing, and condense inside the walls.

• Waterproof IP65 CRI>80 Round LED Downlight Vapor Proof Fit for Shower, Sauna and Outdoor Lighting

What is an IP rating?

That is not a legit vapor proof light. You will note that there is zero actual information about anything other than wattage on that site. None.

The IP rating is provided.

Hi wdcruise, Thx for the link. Is that a vapor proof light? I noticed the price is $30? I am seeing vapor proof lights for about $600 from Mr Steam, what are the differences? Would u know?

@J Lee: "Would u know?"

Nope, but note that the spec sheet for the Mr. Steam recessed light states that it is "UL Listed" and "Suitable for use in damp locations" and nothing about being a "vapor proof light". So it's only "Damp Rated" not "Wet Rated" by the UL and therefore appears to be less suitable for a steam room than the wet-rated lights linked in my first comment.

There's also this Mr. Steam Chromasteam light but its tech spec sheet makes no mention of a UL Listing at all.

Update:

Holy crap!

That Chromasteam light is a whopping $805 and the Mr. Steam recessed lights are $545-647 at Home Depot!

The installation instructions for the Chromasteam state, "Do not install this LED lighting system in damp or wet locations."

Cheap Asian imports are an electrocution waiting to happen. Do not bet your life on them. Because that is exactly what mixing water vapor and electricity does. It risks your life.

Love Your Nest! "Cheap Asian imports are an electrocution waiting to happen."

Are you talking about the Mr. Steam recessed light that Home Depot is selling for $545-647? If not, what recessed light -- non-Asian of course -- are you suggesting that won't electrocute the OP while he's in his steam shower?

@wdcruise That’s good to note. But why on earth would Mr Steam sell a recess light that is not vapor proof when all they offer is steam room equipments? That is so confusing.

Now the big question is, what would be the correct light to use inside the steam shower that won’t get us electrocuted or mold up the area?!??

And where did u see “Do not install this LED lighting system in damp or wet locations." on the Chroma specs?

"what would be the correct light to use inside the steam shower"

I'd use the IP65-rated light* (also linked previously) or one of the wet-rated lights in my first comment. If a damp-rated light such as those two massively-overpriced Mr. Steam recessed lights are acceptable, a wet-rated light will be.

" where did u see..."

Chromasteam Installation and Operating Instructions. Note that on page 2 it also says, "Do not install the fixture assembly (light) where direct contact with steam or water emission could occur". Ha ha! No steam in a steam steam room? But no such light is worth $805 anyway.

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*Note that those are not dimmable. The 7-watt model (560 lumens) will be very bright undimmed. If it's too bright, replace it with the 5-wall model. I'd go 3000K for either.

I'd love to be given evidence to the contrary on this, but here's what I understand:

A lot of the confusion around this comes from there being no testing standard for what constitutes vapor-proof in this application. UL has the IP scale, and an enhanced listing for luminaires, but that's about the best independent information we get. The next level up is for lighting in a hazardous location, ie where solvent vapors might be ignited by a luminaire - those fixtures look good if you're aiming for a bomb-shelter aesthetic.

So, we're left with marketing and manufacturer-testing (what little there is). I know Lotus has a trim kit for their 2" that they specifically approve for steam shower use.

https://www.lotusledlights.com/product/2-round-recessed-led-15w

• Lotus 15 Watt 2" LED Recessed Downlight - White Reflector - White Shower Trim - 2700K - 980 Lumens - 120V ($81)
• Lotus 15 Watt 2" LED Recessed Downlight - White Reflector - White Shower Trim - 3000K - 1,000 Lumens - 120V ($81)
• Lutron Diva LED+ Dimmer - Single Pole / 3-Way - 150W Max - White ($27)

Thank u everyone for pitching in with ur recommendations and comments. This was really helpful for me.

Update, I painfully purchased the Mr Steam 4” light from Home Depot ($640) when I posted this. But after doing some further research and hearing everyone’s thoughts, I started looking into the Lotus Lights. I’ve decided to return the Mr Steam light (back to Home Depot) and instead will be getting the (2) 4” Lotus Light for my steam room. Each Lotus light cost around $100. I also chatted w the Lotus Light company and they recommended the correct ones for steam shower usage.

Appreciate everyone’s input and help!!

Good. That Mr Steam light was the biggest ripoff I've ever seen.

J Lee - any update on the lotus lights, are they good quality - what you hoped? I am doing a 5*5 Steam shower. Was 2 enough? thanks

@mcmahonvincent: "I am doing a 5*5 Steam shower. Was 2 enough?"

Here's a Lumen Calculator. There's no Room Type "steam room" but you can choose a room whose brightness you'd consider similar.

@mcmahonvincent I have installed the lotus lights, 2 of them, haven’t really used it inside the steam shower yet since I still don’t have glass yet, but it works, its bright, dimmable and love the mood lighting it can create so far