Eurolight
The IP rating of LED lamp luminaires is an internationally recognized protection standard used to quantify the luminaire’s ability to protect against dust and water. It consists of two numbers: the first digit indicates the dustproof rating (0-6), and the second digit indicates the waterproof rating (0-8). This standard was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and is widely used in the design and selection of luminaires for outdoor and industrial applications. Protection rating is very important for the production, selection, installation and use of electrical equipment and LED lights. It plays a very important role in protecting electrical equipment from failure or damage, ensuring the continuous and reliable operation of electrical systems, preventing electric shock, and preventing electrical fire and explosion.
What is IP rating and its structure
The IP (International Protection) rating system uses a two-number code to specify the protective performance of a LED light luminaire’s enclosure:
**First number (0-6):** Represents the ability to protect against dust and solid foreign objects; the higher the number, the stronger the protection.
**Second number (0-8):** Represents the ability to protect against water and moisture intrusion; again, the higher the number, the better the protection.
**For example,** IP65 indicates complete dust protection (first number 6) and resistance to low-pressure water jets (second number 5).
You can check the following chart:
How to select correct IP rating for lights?
For indoor LED lights
- Living room/Bedroom light: like recessed LED downlights, with IP20 (basic dustproof) or IP40 (resistant to solid foreign objects ≥1mm) is sufficient; waterproofing is not required.
- Kitchen/Bathroom led lights: IP44 (splash-proof) or IP54 (spray-proof) is required. For lighting fixtures near water sources, IP65 is recommended to cope with humid environments.
- Office lighting, like LED panel lights/Shopping Mall: IP20-IP40, focusing on aesthetics and dust resistance.
- Restaurant/Hotel Bathroom: IP44 and above, the impact of water mist during cleaning needs to be considered.
- Industrial lighting: Like LED highbay lights, and surface mounted LED triproof batten lights, mostly to be IP65 or higher IP rating.
Outdoor LED lights
- Balcony/Pavilion: IP54 (rainproof) or IP65 (sprayproof), suitable for rainy areas.
- Wall Mounting: IP44 meets the basic requirements, but IP54 is recommended for sudden rainfall.
Coastal areas: IP66 (strong waterproof) or IP67 (resistant to short-term immersion), with additional consideration for salt spray corrosion.
Underground parking garages/tunnels: IP65 or higher, meeting both dustproof and waterproof requirements.
Attention: selecting an IP rating for LED lights. High-IP-rated lighting fixtures are usually more expensive, and the choice should be made based on actual needs.