IP value | Lampandlight

You often see an IP value on lighting, but what does this value or classification actually mean? IP stands for Ingress Protection or International Protection rating. The first number indicates the degree of protection against solids and the second figure the protection against moisture and dust. Usually for indoor lights such as a pendant lamp for your living room, a ceiling lamp in your bedroom or a recessed spotlight in your hallway do not need extra protection as they are IP20 and that is sufficient enough to protect against dust. However, when it comes to bathrooms and any outdoor lighting it's a different story as water and electricity cannot mix. So for these type of areas you need a higher IP value, the higher the IP classification, the better the lighting is resistant to moisture and water.

The IP classification of lamps

The following IP classification are the most common in lighting:

IP20: Dust Proof
IP21: Drip proof (cannot be in direct contact with water)
IP23: Drizzle proof (cannot be in direct contact with water)
IP44: Splash proof (suitable for bathrooms & outdoors where its covered)
IP54: Splash and Dust proof (suitable for bathrooms & outdoors where its covered)
IP65: Dust proof and protected against low pressure jets of water
IP67: Dust proof and protected against the affects of immersion up to 1m or 30mins.
IP68: Complete dust and water proof (protected against long period of immersion)

When it comes to IP classification for outdoor or bathroom use, this is divided into Zone areas where each light will need a different IP value.

Minimum IP value needed for outdoors

Outdoor lighting use can also be divided into zones. Zone 1 are fully exposed areas where a light is directly in contact with all types of weather elements such as heavy downpours, snow, wind and hail therefore the lamp must be able to withstand these elements and more. These lamps will therefore require a very high IP value where the minimum is an IP65, however if your light will be mounted in an area where it needs to be submerged deep into the ground you will require a very high IP value of at least IP67 and above.