What is IP Rating?

What exactly is IP Rating?

IP stands for Ingress Protection (or sometimes International Protection). It's a universal rating system that tells you how well the casing of an electrical product, like a light fixture, is sealed against two things: solids and liquids.

The rating is always followed by two numbers, like this: IP65.

• The first digit tells you its protection level against solid objects (from fingers and tools down to tiny dust particles).
• The second digit tells you its protection level against moisture (from a few drips to full underwater submersion).

It's simple, really: the higher the number, the better the protection. Let's decode them.

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Decoding the numbers:

The first digit – protection against solids (dust)

This number ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (completely dust-tight). For home lighting, here are the ones you’ll see most often:

• IP2X: Protected against solid objects larger than 12.5mm. In easy language? It’s finger-safe. This isa common standard for basic indoor lights where you don’t want anyone accidentally touching the internal parts.
• IP5X: Dust-protected. Not fully sealed, but enough dust won't get in to cause problems. Great for a workshop or garage.
• IP6X: Completely dust-tight. No dust can get in at all. This is the highest level and is standard for high-quality outdoor lights.

The second digit – protection against liquids (water)

This is the crucial one for bathrooms and gardens. It ranges from 0 (no protection) to 8 (fully waterproof for deep submersion).

• IPX4: (Splash-proof) Protected against splashing water from any direction. This is your minimum requirementfor bathroom lights and sheltered outdoor wall lights.
• IPX5: (Jet-proof) Protected against low-pressure jets of water. Think of cleaning it with a garden hose. This is a great choice for more exposed outdoor areas.
• IPX7: (Immersion-proof) Can be temporarily submerged in water (up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes). This is a must-have for garden ground spots or deck lights that might end up in a deep puddle after heavy rain.
• IPX8: (Submersible) Protected against continuous, deep submersion. You'll only need this for lights you intend to place inside a pond or swimming pool
  
  

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Putting it all together: Real-World examples

Okay, theory's over. Where do you actually need these ratings?

Lighting for your bathroom

Water and electricity are not friends. That’s why bathrooms are divided into zones, each with a minimum required IP rating. Safety first!

• Zone 0 (Inside the bath or shower): Requires IP67. The fitting must be low voltage (12V).
• Zone 1 (Directly above the bath or shower): Requires IP65.
• Zone 2 (The area 0.6m around the bath, shower, and sink): Requires a minimum of IP44.

Lighting for your garden

Your garden lights face everything from drizzle to downpours. Choose wisely!

• Sheltered areas (e.g., porch, under eaves): IP44 is often sufficient to protect against splashes.
• Exposed walls and posts: Go for IP65. It will easily withstand heavy rain and sprinklers.
• In the ground (e.g., ground spots, deck lights): You need IP67 as a minimum. This ensures they survive sitting in puddles or being buried in wet soil.
• In a pond or water feature: It must be IP68.

Lighting for general indoor use

For your living room, bedroom, or hallway, you don't need to worry about water. Here, a standard rating of IP20 (finger-safe, no water protection) is perfectly fine.

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Choose the appropriate values

See? Not so scary after all! That IP rating is simply a helpful, at-a-glance guide to tell you where a light can be safely and durably installed. Just remember: first digit for dust, second digit for water. The higher the number, the tougher it is.

So next time you're browsing, you can choose your lights with confidence, knowing you've got the right product for the job. If you're ever in doubt, our lighting experts at Fixerio are ready to help!