IP Rating Matters

By BoscoLighting Team on 21 August 2017

When selecting LED lighting products, understanding the Ingress Protection (IP) rating is crucial. This rating indicates the level of protection against solids and liquids that a light fitting can withstand. Discover the significance of IP ratings and make informed choices for your or your client's lighting projects.

The first digit refers to the level of protection against solids, including dust particles, mosquitoes, moths, or flies.

The second digit indicates the protection level against liquid. The number can work as a guide when it comes to on-site cleaning routines using sprays or water jets. It is important with lights that you do not use excessive water force and so pressure hoses should be used with care.

Dust-resistance levels progress from 0 to 6 while the water-resistance rating is 0 to 9. In some cases, an X may be interchanged with one of the digits if it is not relevant to the requirements such as IP4X.

IP rating does not correlate to vandalism or other physical protection from impact, a separate classification called IK rating is used for this.

IP Rating in Interior Lighting

Many indoor lighting products are not designed for water exposure as water damage risk is low compared to outdoor lighting.  Dust or insects are not likely to damage the lights, but dusty light products will not put out as much light as before.

Below are some common IP ratings for indoor lights:

IP20 - (Ordinary)

IP20 means that the LED lights are suitable for all indoor dry applications, such as offices, retail shops, bedrooms, and living rooms.  

Recommended products: BLSM-GKA05-18(18w LED oyster light), BLDL-ODA-20 (20W Recessed Downlight)

IP40 - (Not waterproof)

IP40 means that insects are not likely to get in the lights, but there is no protection from moisture.

Recommended products: BLPL-1200MBB-36(600x600 LED panel light), BLPL-1200MBB-48 (1200x300 LED panel light), BLSM-BOXA1-12 (LED surface mounted light), BLSM-BOXB2-30 (30W LED surface mounted twin light), BLSM-LEAH-72(72W LED ceiling light)

IP42 - (Drip Proof)

IP42-rated LED lights are protected from tools and small wires greater than 1 millimetre. The lights can resist a few drops of water.

Recommended Products: BLDL-EVA-12 (12W LED downlight), BLDL-EWS-15 (15W LED gimble down light), BLTL-ME207-40 (40W LED track light), BLTL-ME248-20 (20W LED track light)

IP44 - (Splash Proof)

Lights that are IP44 rated are suitable for bathrooms and other applications where water spray is a risk.

Recommended Products: BLDL-WAH2-10 (10W LED downlight), BLDL-GIT-30 (30W LED downlight), BLDL-HALO-40 (40W LED downlight), BLDL-WAJ-07 (7W LED downlight), BLSM-YOKO-40 (40W LED can light)

IP Rating in Exterior Lighting

Outdoor lighting is made to withstand harsh conditions as it is often exposed to rain and such. The IP rating is the key element to indicate the ability of the light to resist dust and moisture.

Below are some common IP rating for outdoor lights:

IP54 - (Dust Proof, Splash Proof)

IP54 Lights have protection against dust and splash, making it suitable for general outdoor use or damp indoor environments.  

Recommended Products: BLBL-PRIS-100 (100W industrial pendant high bay light), BLDL-GT8-30 (30W LED downlight)

IP64 - (Dust Tight, Splash Proof)

IP64 products are fully protected against dust ingress. Also, these lights are protected against water splashing from any direction.

IP65 - (Dust Tight, Jet Proof)

IP65 means the product is completely dust tight, as well as protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction.

Recommended Products: BLDL-PSD-10 (10W LED waterproof downlight), BLDL-APT-12 (12W LED waterproof downlight), BLWL-CYL-09X2 (18W LED updown wall light), BLSM-GKP07-24 (24W LED waterproof oyster light), BLBL-MWFR-150 (150W high bay), BLFL-TAM-30 (30W LED waterproof flood light)

IP66 - (Dust Tight, Watertight)

IP66 means the product is completely dust tight, as well as protection against higher-pressure water jets from any direction.

IP67 - (Dust Tight, Watertight)

IP67 rating means it's completely protected against solid particles and can be submerged up to 1m in water for up to 30 mins.

Recommended Products:  BLLL-IGL1-12 (12W LED inground linear light), BLWW-IGL3-36 (36W RGB inground linear light), BLLL-IGR1-07 (7W LED round inground light), BLLL-IGS1-09 (9W LED square inground light) 

IP68 - (Dust Tight, Pressure Watertight)

IP68 product means that it is hermetically sealed and suitable for continuous immersion in water.

Recommended Products: Underwater Pool Flood Light ( BLLL-PO1-03, BLLL-PO1-09, BLLL-PO1-24)