Any light fixture used in a bathroom, garden or damp environment should have an rating sufficient to prevent dust and water ingress.
An ingress protection rating consists of two digits. The first digit represents protection against the ingress of solid objects, such as dust. The second digit represents protection against the ingress of liquids, example water. The higher the value of one of the two digits, the greater the protection.
Contents
IP Protection Types
IP protection is divided into two types as mentioned below:
1. Lower IP Protection Types
Lower IP ratings – such as below IP44 – are mainly suitable for indoor use in rooms that are not exposed to virtually any dust or water. Most luminaires in your home have an IP20 rating, and this is sufficient for most indoor applications.
Protection ratings between IP44 and IP65 are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, provided they are installed in a protected location and are protected from the harshest weather conditions.
2. Higher IP Ratings
Luminaires with higher IP ratings are more suitable for areas exposed to harsh weather conditions. Where there is a possibility of contact with dust or liquids, selecting a luminaire with a high rating will provide the best protection.
Luminaires with an IP65 rating and higher are considered waterproof and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
IP65 and IP66 are standard ingress protection marks that offer more protection. IP65 luminaires can withstand water projected directly onto the luminaire but are not fully waterproof and should not be submerged in water. IP66 luminaires can withstand splashing water from all directions but should also not be immersed in water. Incase you want to know more about them, click here IP65, IP66, & IP67.
The following areas require luminaires rated IP65 and higher:
Outdoor Areas: Locations exposed to dust, dirt and debris, & wet locations with a high likelihood of coming into contact with water in showers, swimming pools, wet rooms or bathtubs.
Light Safety in the bathroom: A beautiful chandelier over the bathtub may look pretty and be all the rage, but is it convenient and protected from water? Is the fixture located outside of a splash zone? Below we highlight the different zones in the bathroom in terms of lighting and electrical Safety. Each zone requires a separate, minimum IP protection rating.
How To Read IP Ratings?
The international standard IEC 60529, created by the International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC), defines the standard types of protection. This consists of the letters IP followed by a first digit defining protection against solid objects and a second digit defining protection against water ingress.
Occasionally there is a third digit defining protection against mechanical impact. This is omitted in most cases as it is not part of IEC 60529.
The code aims to provide a more stringent definition of protection than simple terms such as waterproof or dustproof. For example, an electrical device or socket with IP22 protection is protected against finger insertion and will not suffer damage if exposed to vertically dripping water.
If there is only one protection class, the second digit is replaced by an “X.” An IP2X enclosure is only protected against finger insertion and not against water ingress.
A third digit is added if the enclosure is protected against mechanical impact. IP224 means that the socket or other enclosure is protected against the ingress of fingers, vertically dripping water and a 500 g weight dropped from a height of 40 cm.
If the enclosure has no mechanical impact protection, only two digits after the “IP” are used. An “X” is not added in this case. Here is the zone wise division of ingress protection ratings for lights:
Zone 0: Lighting is located directly inside the bathtub or shower
This includes areas within the bathtub, shower pan and sink. Any luminaire used in this zone must be powered by low voltage (max. 12 V) and have at least IP67 protection.
Zone 1: Lighting located directly above the bath or shower
This includes lighting directly above the sink, bathtub, and shower up to a height of 2.25 m above the floor and within 60 cm of the water source. If it is a 240V fitting, a 30ma Residual Current Device (RCD) must also be used in this zone to protect the circuit (this will be obvious to your electrician!). A minimum IP44 rating is required, but an IP65 fitting is used for additional protection.
Zone 2: Lighting on both sides of the bath, shower or washbasin
This zone includes the area that extends an additional 60 cm beyond zone 1 to a height of 2.25 m above the floor. In this zone, an IP protection rating of at least IP44 is the minimum requirement and is more than sufficient. It has proven beneficial to consider the area beyond a radius of 60 cm around a water tap or water source as zone 2.
Zone 3: Anywhere outside zones 0, 1 and 2
Zone 3 is anywhere outside zones 0, 1, and 2 (subject to certain limits) and where a water jet is unlikely to be used. In these areas, a protection rating of IP20 is sufficient. Of course, with larger bathrooms, it’s easier to place fixtures outside of Zone 1, which gives you a wider choice of fixtures.
However, we offer one of the largest selections of the decorative bathroom and outdoor lights, so we are confident that we will have a suitable IP-rated wall, pendant, or ceiling light that can add a decorative touch to your bathroom. Now that you are familiar with ingress protection ratings, you can make more informed decisions about your bathroom and outdoor lighting.
IP Ratings Reference Chart
There is a systematic way to understand which ingress protection number is providing what level of protection. So, here are the complete details for the ingress protection ratings:
IP00 – IP08
The lights start from IP00, which is the lowest rating. The ratings ranging between 00 to 08 do not protect solids. Also, the 00 protection rating does not protect against any kind of liquids. But from 01 to 08 you will get some level of protection from liquids like condensations, and water sprays.
IP10 – IP18
All these ratings offer protection from touch by a hand more significant than 50 millimetres. Here again, IP10 does not protect the light from liquids. But in the rest of the lights, you will get some protection from liquids like condensations and water sprays.
IP20 – IP28
All these ratings offer protection from fingers and objects touching more than 12 millimetres. IP20 does not protect the light from liquids. But in the rest of the lights, you will get some protection from liquids like condensations, water sprays, high-pressure water jets, low-pressure water jets and immersion accordingly.
IP30 – IP38
All these ratings offer protection from tools and wires more significant than 2.5 millimeters. IP30 does not protect the light from liquids. But in the rest of the lights, you will get some protection from liquids like condensations, high/low-pressure water jets, and immersion accordingly.
IP40 – IP48
All these ratings offer protection from tools and small wires more significant than 1 millimetre. IP40 does not protect the light from liquids. But in the rest of the lights, you will get some protection from liquids like condensations, water sprays, high-pressure water jets, low-pressure water jets and immersion accordingly.
IP50 – IP58
These ratings offer protection from limited dust ingress. IP50 does not protect the light from any kind of liquids. But in the rest of the lights, you will get some protection from liquids like condensations, water sprays, high-pressure water jets, low-pressure water jets, and immersion accordingly.
IP60 – IP68
These ratings offer protection from total dust ingress. IP60 does not protect the light from liquids. But in the rest of the lights, you will get some protection from liquids like water sprays, high-pressure water jets, low-pressure water jets, etc accordingly.
IP69k
IP69k protects from total dust ingress and also protects from steam-jet cleaning. The IP69K offers the highest protection level to the lights.
In the IP ratings chart below, we have summed up all the ratings mentioned above. Feel free to use this chart in your blog, but make sure you link back to us.
Bottom-Line
Like most LED light brands in India, Light offers lights with higher ratings. We understand the zones of lights and maintain their IP ratings according to the particular zone. Also, all the LED lights provided by Light come with 2 years of warranty, making us unique and extraordinary.