When it comes to selecting the right lighting, colour is important, as are energy costs, and wattage. Another factor that many fail to consider is the environment in which you plan to use the lighting.
Outdoor lighting has vastly different requirements when compared to a newly renovated bathroom. Lighting provides a degree of protection against things like dust and water, and the IP rating is a way to determine which area the lights should be used in. Let’s dive into the topic a little further.
What is an IP rating?
IP stands for Ingress Protection, a value that indicates the resistance to dust and moisture of electrical equipment. The IP rate has two digits:
- The first (a number from zero to six) measures the protection against the ingress of dust. For example, a device with a value of zero has no protection, where a value of six is 100% dust-proof.
- The second (a number from zero to eight) indicates how waterproof the device is zero means no protection against moisture. Eight means a completely waterproof device that can be used underwater.
A complete overview of various IP values:
Dust
- IP0X - no protection
- IP1X - protection from contact with objects larger than 5 cm
- IP2X - protection from contact with objects larger than 1.25 cm
- IP3X - protection from contact with objects larger than 2.5 mm
- IP4X - protection from contact with objects larger than 1 mm
- IP5X - protection from fairly dust
- IP6X - 100% dust resistance
Moisture
- IPX0 - no protection
- IPX1 - protection from vertical drops
- IPX2 - protection from drops (at an angle of up to 15°)
- IPX3 - protection from splash water (at an angle of up to 60°)
- IPX4 - protection from splash water from every angle
- IPX5 - protection from spray water (from every angle)
- IPX6 - protection from powerful sprays or waves
- IPX7 - temporary (30 min) protection from immersion
- IPX8 - complete protection from immersion
Some LED lights may have three different IP values: IP20 (for dry rooms), IP44 (resistant to dust and moisture) and IP65 (ideal bathroom lighting).
Find all of the options at Lightsup today
No matter which IP code or requirement you have for your lighting, Lightsup Online has all of the options. Feel free to ask our friendly team about a specific product and its suitability and we’ll make sure you find the best option for your needs from our wide selection.
