Extremely easy to install, the illuminating mirror adds an extra decorative touch to your bathroom. Here are the steps to make the installation yourself.
This bathroom with washbasin laid on plan waiting for a large mirror with functional lighting. If formerly, one was satisfied with a simple fluo tube, it is a ribbon of LEDs encircling the four sides of the ice which was chosen here to diffuse the necessary light.
LED, for all needs
A led (light-emitting diode) operates with two electrodes: anode (A) and the cathode (K). If a DC voltage is applied with the “+” on A and the “-” on K, the diode emits light. There are red, green, blue, white and yellow leads. They are now everywhere as witnesses of a watch or in the digital display (television screens, mobile phones, appliances, etc.). They exist even in the form of flexible and scored ribbons that can be installed everywhere, as extra lighting. A voltage (often 12 V continuous) is applied to the entrance of the ribbon, and it is the whole string of LEDs that illuminates.
Custom lighting
In the case of this bathroom, a large mirror was custom-made (1000 x 800 x 4 mm thick) with rounded corners to occupy the space above the vanity top. A band formed at the back, 3.5 cm wide and perfectly matching the edge is sandblasted by the craftsman to create the frost that will let the light. This last work can only be done by a professional. The mirror support came from a U-shaped aluminum profile 35 mm wing cut and assembled to form a frame of 91 x 71 cm. It is glued to the back of the mirror after precise centering. This frame carries the LED tape connected to a transformer attached to the wall behind the mirror, associated with a wall control switch. The wires are masked by incising the plasterboard to the cutter to dig a kerf, to house a piece of sheath lined with the threads and to finish the whole with the filler covered by the fitting of paint.
The tools needed to put an illuminating mirror:
- a pencil ;
- one meter ;
- an electrician’s screwdriver;
- a drill ;
- a wire stripper;
- a bubble level.
The stages of Installation
- Before starting your installation, it is imperative to take into account the electrical safety zones in the bathroom. According to the standards in force, make sure that the electrical socket that will be used to connect your lighting mirror is located at least 60 cm on each side of a water point, that is to say, your shower or your bath. It must also be placed 25 cm above the ground.
- First step: turn off the power!
- Remove the cover from the electrical outlet where you plan to connect the illuminating mirror.
- Set the markers to put the fixings of the illuminating mirror. Determine the low level at which you want the lower edge of your mirror to come in, and set the width of the mirror to your wall. Draw a pencil line on which you will determine the center. From this central point, pull a straight line to the electrical outlet. You must get a “T” shaped pattern upside down.
- Then take the measurement that separates the bottom edge of the mirror and the mounting bar on the back of the equipment. Carry the size from the previously drawn pencil line in the middle of the marker that symbolizes the location of the bottom of the mirror.
- From this trace, then mark the measurement separating the two holes from the mounting bar, taking care to use a spirit level to make a perfectly horizontal path.
- Use the drill to drill both holes following the marks. Place your two dowels and then the screws provided with the mirror or on (and in any case adapted to the material of the wall).
- Make the electrical connection of the device. Start by thoroughly stripping the wires from your unplugged electrical outlet in a previous step. Then connect them to the connector of your illuminating mirror, respecting the color codes in electricity. Replace the electrical outlet cover.
- Install the mirror. Turn on the power and check that your mirror is illuminating!
- After refilling, this connection is invisible.
Handyman’s Tips
- The water tightness of the tape is expressed in IP (water protection index). If you want to put a tape exposed to water, (shower, bathtub), choose a waterproof model class IP 66/68.
- The luminous performance of a ribbon depends on the number of LEDs per meter. For this type of application, it is generally possible to use strips of 5 m with 150 LEDs, delivering 960 lumens, at the cost of approximately 60 € with the 12 V TBT transformer.
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