A Brief Introduction On IP Ratings in LED Lighting

A Brief Introduction On IP Ratings in LED Lighting

LED lighting is widely found in almost areas such as indoor and outdoor premises of homes, gardens, roads, industrial units, retail stores, commercial buildings, grounds, public parks, and other innumerable places you can think of. When installing these lighting solutions, it is important to know how sustainable your lighting is. This ensures the protection of electrical components from the intrusion of liquids and solids like dirt and dust. The ingress protection rating often called an IP rating tells us the same. IP rating reflects the suitability of lights to specific environmental conditions. For outdoor and indoor LED lights, they come with distinct IP ratings. But, how to choose the right IP rating for your LED fixtures? This post answers the same. So, stay tuned.

What is IP Rating?

Before getting into what IP rating should you use for LED lights, it is important to understand what is IP rating. The IP code, sometimes also interpreted as an international protection rating, consists of two numbers. The first digit of IP rating describes the object’s protection from solid material, and the second digit represents the protection level against liquids.

It is important to verify the IP rating of LED lights before you buy them as it tells us about the electrical component protection features. As the number increases, the protection level of lighting fixtures also increases. This means the highest IP rating signifies greater protection against intrusions, external damages, exposure to water, heat, and so on. The next section highlights what IP rating you will require for indoor and outdoor applications.

What IP Rating Should You Choose for Your LED Lights?

The IP rating required varies based on the application demand. It is crucial to think about what kind of conditions your lighting will have to endure because this will affect the required IP ratings. Usually, indoor use will require a low IP rating, and a higher IP rating is recommended for outdoor use.

IP Ratings for Indoor Applications

Most of the indoor lighting products are not designed for water exposure; however, they can withstand dirt and dust. The following are the most popular IP ratings for indoor use.

  • IP20: This IP rating makes the lighting suitable for all indoor applications without exposure to moisture, such as retail shops, offices, homes, and so on. IP20 should never be fitted outdoors unless the lighting fixture is sealed.
  • IP40: This rating prevents insects from getting into lighting solutions, but there is no moisture protection. Most of the LED track lights, LED lights, LED linear, and other fixtures fall in this category. They are great options for indoor use today.
  • IP42: This IP rated lighting can resist a few drops of water. This rating implies that the LED lighting comprising small tools and wires greater than 1mm is resistant to some amount of moisture.
  • IP44: These IP rated LED lights are best for bathroom, balconies with roof, and other applications exposed to moisture or water sprays.

IP Ratings for Outdoor Applications

LED lights for outdoor use are designed to withstand harsh and extreme conditions including rains, heat, and dust. Here are some common IP ratings for outdoor lights.

  • IP65: LED lights with an IP65 rating is a great option for commercial and domestic use. This rating gives complete resistance against water jets and foreign bodies. Water disposed of a nozzle of 6.3 millimeter doesn’t affect LED lights. Anytime if you are planning to buy an outdoor lighting fixture, then it should be IP65 rated.
  • IP66: An IP66 rated LED lights are completely dust-tight and resistant against water jets from any direction. Waterproof lights can withstand water sprayed at it from a 0.5-inch nozzle.
  • IP67: LED lights with an IP67 can be submerged up to 15cm to 1m in water, and also provide the complete resistance against dust and solid particles.
  • IP68: Similar to IP64 and IP65, IP68 ratings provide complete protection against foreign objects. However, LED lights with this rating are much more resistant to water than IP65. Water doesn’t affect the lighting even it is immersed in the water up to 1m deep.

If your next project requires IP rated LEDs, then it is important to employ industry leaders like E2 Lighting USA. The company manufactures and provides a wide range of IP rated indoor and outdoor solutions for commercial and residential lighting needs. They are committed to providing high-quality, sustainable, green lighting solutions.