"Dust-proof" and "water-resistant" are terms commonly used on electrical products, such as cameras, lighting fixtures, and packaging equipment. Confusion often arises, particularly regarding how different people define what they actually mean. In order to create conformity, the European Committee for Electro-Technical Standardization (IEC) developed the Ingress Protection Rating (IP Rating) or the International Protection Rating.
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An IP rating represents the level of protection a device offers against the intrusion of liquids and solid objects. It shows the effectiveness of an electrical equipment enclosure in preventing foreign bodies such as liquids, dust, accidental contacts, and moisture. The Ingress Protection (IP) measures how much a device resists water and solids.
Most packaging machines, pneumatic and electrical enclosures, including
LED lighting fixtures
, are IP-rated. These include cabinets, circuit boxes, as well as other enclosed structures covering the internal components of pneumatic and electrical devices. Protecting the internal components of such equipment is necessary because they can fail, malfunction, or cause injury to their operators when exposed to liquids or solids.In lighting, IP rating helps to determine the suitability of lights, such as LED lights, to specific environmental conditions in
outdoor and indoor installations
. Many outdoor lights these days are waterproof. The popularity of waterproof lights has increased tremendously over the years, considering their advantages.The Lighting IP Rating system consists of the letters I and P for Ingress Protection, which is then proceeded by two digits, e.g., 65. Notably, the higher the figure after the two letters IP, the better the protection provided against foreign objects. There are instances when the letter X is used instead of a number. Such a scenario is an indication that the enclosure has not yet been rated for that specification. IP X5, for instance, implies that there will be no harmful effects when powerful water splashes are projected against the enclosure from any direction, as indicated by 5. IP5X, on the other hand, indicates complete protection against dust. In order to fully understand this, consider the following descriptions:
The
first digit
represents the level of protection an enclosure provides against solid materials such as tools, fingers, and dust. These foreign bodies could be hazardous if they were to come into contact with parts, components, or circuitry within the enclosure.The
second digit
of this rating system denotes the level of protection an enclosure provides to the internal components against various forms of moisture, such as drips, sprays, and submersion.A
third digit
(usually a letter at the end of the code) often conveys supplementary information about the product from the standard. Consider the following examples: IP55 offers limited protection against dust as well as low-pressure jets of water from any direction. In addition to providing protection from dust and low-pressure water jets from any direction, IP55W offers protection against damp and wet weather. The following letters are commonly used:F – Oil resistant.
W - Weather condition.
H – High voltage device.
S – Device standing still during water test.
M – Device monitoring during water test.
Manufacturers who desire an IP Rating for their product must first have it tested by an independent, certified company, which then assigns a numerical IP Rating to the product to verify how well the said item is protected against intrusion of foreign bodies (solid and liquids).
Having a certified IP Rating gives manufacturers the confidence to make a claim concerning the level of protection that their products provide. IP Rating legitimizes items by giving assurance to the users of the effectiveness of the product. Customers can easily determine the product that meets their needs. IP ratings allow for comparing protection levels among various electrical enclosures, including lighting fixtures (such as LED lights). Certain
outdoor lights
are way better than others, as stipulated in their IP Rating.Furthermore, users of IP Rated equipment are fully aware of the protective measures (or lack of) that the products provide, enabling them to work more safely, minimizing risks of injuries or damage to the equipment.
Safety is the main reason behind the development of IP Ratings. However, establishing market standards is another reason we need the IP Rating system.
Note that the first digit, which denotes the sealing level of an electrical enclosure, ranges from 0 (meaning no protection against contact and ingress of solids) to 6 (which corresponds to complete protection against contact. X is often used to indicate that there is no data available to specify a protection rating based on the used criterion as aforementioned).
The second digit, which corresponds to the level of protection that an electrical enclosure provides against liquids, varies from 0, indicating zero protection against water ingress, and 8, implying that the equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under the specified conditions. 6K and 9K are additional ratings in this scale indicating protection against high-pressure water splashes (from 6.3mm nozzles) from any direction and protection against close range, high pressure, and high-temperature spray downs, respectively. Similarly, X is used to indicate the lack of data to verify a protection rating based on the utilized criterion.
With this information in mind, we can consider the following ratings as applied to
lighting fixtures
What is IP54?
– This rating indicates that an electrical enclosure is protected from limited dust ingress and water spray from any direction. IP54 lights are widely used for indoor applications such as lamp post lighting. They should not be exposed to rain.What is IP64?
– It indicates protection from total dust ingress as well as water spray from any direction. IP64 lights are hence suitable for areas where you do not expect a situation with more than splashing water.What is IP65
– IP65 denotes total protection against dust intrusion and against low-pressure water jets from any direction.IP65 LED lights
are ideal for bathroom lighting.What is IP67?
– This rating implies total protection against dust ingress and also protection against immersion 15cm to 1m in depth. IP67 LED lights should never be submerged in water for extended periods since they are not waterproof.IP Rating is one of the essential things to consider when picking lighting, especially outdoor lights. It would be best to compare the high and the low ratings before choosing.
Lights with low ratings are ideal for indoor installations. For example, lamps with an IP Rating as low as IP44 and below are suitable for spaces with minimal exposure to dust, like offices and living rooms. A rating between IP44 and IP65 can also be utilized indoors. They should only be applied outdoors when they are waterproof and are not directly exposed to water or dust.
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Lighting products with high IP Ratings are meant to be
installed outdoors
. They are suitable for areas that are wet or prone to frequent splatters. Such regions include places that people highly frequent. Typically, you would expect only outdoor lights to have a high IP rating. However, it is essential to note that specific indoor environments, particularly in industries and factories, are characterized by large amounts of dust and periodic splatters, requiring a high IP rating.Similarly, opting for lamps with a high IP protection rating is appropriate if you are looking for a lighting fixture for your bathroom or swimming pool.
In conclusion,
how and where you intend to use lighting fixtures
and other electrical equipment will hugely determine the IP rating to go for.About the Author:is founder and CEO of LED Light Expert with deep expertise in LED fixtures and Light design.or. Editing by
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IP Rating of Light Fixtures Explained
November 9, 2020
What does IP rating mean in lighting and how important is it? An IP rating is shorthand for an Ingress Protection mark. The IP (Ingress Protection) rating of a bulb or light fixture declares the level of protection it has against dirt and water.
Any fixture that is used in a bathroom, garden or wet environment should have an IP rating that is sufficient enough to stop the ingress of dust and water.
An IP rating consists of two digits. The first digit represents protection against the ingress of solid objects i.e. dust. The second digit represents protection against the ingress of liquids i.e. water. The higher the value of either digit, the greater the protection.
So, what protection do you need?
Lower IP ratings - such as those below IP44 - are mostly suited for indoor use in spaces that have virtually no exposure to dust or water, like your living room or bedroom. Most light fixtures inside your home will be rated IP20 and that is sufficient for most indoor purposes.
Ratings between IP44 and IP65 are acceptable for both indoor and general outdoor use, provided they are installed in a sheltered location and are protected from the harshest weather conditions.
Higher IP rated light fixtures are more suited to areas that will be exposed to harsh weather conditions. If there is a chance of contact with dust or liquids, selecting a fitting with a high IP rating will give the most protection.
Light fixtures that are rated IP65 and above are considered to be waterproof and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
IP65 and IP66 are common IP ratings that offer more protection. IP65 lights can withstand water projected directly onto the fixture but are not completely waterproof and should not be submerged in water. IP66 lights can withstand water being sprayed forcefully from any direction but should not be submerged in water either.
These following spaces require lights that are rated IP65 and above:
A quick guide to Ingress Protection:
IP Rating Visual Support Chart
Whilst having a stunning chandelier hanging over your bathtub might look pretty and in vogue, is it actually fit for purpose and protected against water? Is the fixture located outside of a splash zone?
Below we highlight the various zones in the bathroom with regard to lighting and electrical safety. Each zone requires a different, minimum IP rating.
Visual Guide to Bathroom Water Safety Zones
Zone 0 - Lighting that is directly inside the bath or shower
This covers areas inside the bath, the shower tray and sink basin. Any fitting used in this zone must be low voltage (max 12V) and be rated at least IP67.
Zone 1 - Lighting that is directly above the bath or shower
This includes lighting directly above the sink, bath and shower up to 2.25m from the floor and is within 60cm of the water source.
If the fitting is 240V a 30ma Residual Current Device (RCD) must also be used to protect the circuit in this zone (this will make sense to your electrician!).
A rating of at least IP44 is required but generally an IP65 fixture is used for additional protection.
Zone 2 - Lighting placed either side of the bath, shower or wash basin
This accounts for the area that stretches an additional 60cm beyond zone 1 and up to a height of 2.25m from the floor.
In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is the minimum requirement and is more than ample.
It is good practice to consider the area just beyond a 60cm radius of any tap or water source as zone 2.
Zone 3 - Anywhere outside zones 0, 1 and 2
Zone 3 is anywhere outside of zones 0, 1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. In these areas, a rating of IP20 is sufficient.
Bathroom Design in George Clarke's 'Ugly house to Lovely House'. Designer: Edwina Boase. Photographer: Daniela Exley
Naturally with larger bathrooms it’s easier to space and place light fixtures outside of zone 1 especially, affording you a greater choice of light fixtures.
However, we do offer one of the largest selections of decorative bathroom and outdoor lighting of any European lighting manufacturer so we’re confident that we’ll have a suitable IP rated wall, pendant or ceiling light that can add a decorative touch to your powder room.
Now that you’re up to speed with bathroom light zones and IP ratings, you can make more informed lighting decisions for your bathroom and outdoor spaces.
You can follow our essential guide to bathroom lighting and outdoor lighting tips blog to help bring style to these areas too.
Happy lighting!
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