IP Rated LED Fixtures & IP Ratings Complete Guide
What is an IP Rating?
IP ratings tell you how well a light fixture is protected against dust and water.
IP stands for "Ingress Protection" and is an international standard (IEC 60529) that classifies the degree of protection provided by electrical enclosures. Think of it as a universal language that tells you exactly what environmental conditions a fixture can handle.
The rating system uses two digits after "IP" - each digit represents a specific type of protection. The first digit rates protection against solid objects (like dust), while the second digit rates protection against liquids (like water). Higher numbers mean better protection.
IP Rating is Critical for Outdoor Products
For outdoor lighting, IP ratings are critical because they determine whether your fixture will survive rain, snow, humidity, dust, dirt, and temperature changes. A fixture with the wrong IP rating can fail prematurely, creating safety hazards and costly replacements.
FAQ
What IP rating do I need for outdoor lighting?
IP65 is the standard for most outdoor applications. It's dust tight and handles rain/snow perfectly.
Is IP67 better than IP65?
Not necessarily. IP67 handles immersion (temporary flooding) but may not handle high-pressure jets as well as IP65/IP66. Choose based on your specific needs.
Can I use IP65 in a pool?
No. Pool lighting requires IP68 (submersible) rating. IP65 is for water jets, not continuous underwater use.
What does the "X" mean in IP ratings?
"X" means that protection level wasn't tested. For example, IPX7 means water immersion was tested, but dust protection wasn't.
IP (Ingress Protection) Ratings Guide
| SOLIDS (First Digit) | WATER (Second Digit) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Protected against a solid object greater than 50 mm such as a hand. | 1 |  |
Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 2 |  |
Protected against a solid object greater than 12.5 mm such as a finger. | 2 |  |
Protected against vertically falling drops of water with enclosure tilted 15 degrees from the vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 |  |
Protected against a solid object greater than 2.5 mm such as a screwdriver. | 3 |  |
Protected against sprays of water at any angle up to 60 degrees from the vertical. Limited ingress permitted for three minutes. |
| 4 |  |
Protected against a solid object greater than 1 mm such as a wire. | 4 |  |
Protected against water splashed from all directions. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 |  |
Dust Protected. Limited ingress of dust permitted. Will not interfere with operation of the equipment. Two to eight hours. | 5 |  |
Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 |  |
Dust tight. No ingress of dust. Two to eight hours. | 6 |  |
Powerful Water Jets: Protected against strong jets (12.5 mm nozzle) of water projected from any direction (100 L/min). |
| 7 |  |
**Temporary Immersion:** Protected against immersion in water up to 1 m for 30 minutes. | |||
| 8 |  |
**Continuous Submersion:** Protected against long immersion in water **at depths greater than 1 m** and/or for a duration specified by the manufacturer. | |||
| 9/9K | 
|
**High-Pressure, High-Temp Jets:** Protected against close-range, **high-pressure (80–100 bar), high-temperature (≥ 80°C) water jets**. | |||
IP Rated Vapor Tight: The Essentials
Vapor tight fixtures are critical for harsh environments with moisture, dust, and routine cleaning (like food processing, cold storage, and car washes).
To ensure your fixture is truly sealed and ready for washdowns, focus on these critical IP ratings:
- IP65: Dust Tight (6) and protected from low-pressure water jets (5). Suitable for locations experiencing splashing and mist.
- IP66: Dust Tight (6) and protected from strong water jets (6). This is the key standard required for heavy industrial washdown and stringent cleaning protocols.
- IP67: Dust Tight and protected against temporary submersion (e.g., in a flooding scenario).
- IP68: Dust Tight and protected against continuous submersion (fully submersible).
Ready to select your fixture? SLP Lighting offers a complete line of high IP Rated Vapor Tight LED products tailored for these exact demanding applications.
