An important value that is almost always listed among a lamp’s specifications is its IP rating. But what does this rating actually mean? In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about IP ratings and when this rating is useful to you.

IP ratings

IP stands for International Protection rating and indicates how well a lamp is protected against liquid or solid substances. The IP rating always consists of two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid particles such as dust. The second digit indicates the level of protection against moisture and water. For many indoor spaces, an IP20 rating is already sufficient; this means that the lamp is dustproof. For damp areas such as bathrooms or for outdoor lighting, higher IP ratings are often recommended.

Examples of IP ratings

In the field of lighting, you will often come across the following IP ratings:

• IP20: Dustproof
• IP21: Protected against dripping water
• IP23: Protected against rainwater
• IP44: Splash-proof (suitable for areas around bathtubs and sheltered locations)
• IP54: Splash-proof and dust-protected
• IP65: Protected against water jets
• IP67: Dustproof and protected against immersion for 30 minutes (suitable for pond lighting or use in the shower)
• IP68: Dustproof and protected against prolonged immersion in water (can be exposed to all weather conditions)

Which IP rating should I choose for the bathroom?

For applications in a bathroom or other damp areas, we can divide the lighting into 3 categories. Category 1 includes all lamps installed close to the shower or bathtub. These areas are often exposed to a lot of moisture and water. To prevent dangerous situations, it is therefore advisable to choose lamps with a rating of at least IP65 for this category. This ensures that the lamp is well protected against water.

Category 2 consists of lamps installed, for example, around the washbasin and bathtub. These are areas where the lamps can still be exposed to direct water droplets. A rating of at least IP44 is recommended for this category.

Category 3 consists of all other lamps in the bathroom (or damp area). These lamps will not be exposed to direct water jets, but they still need to be protected against condensation. For this final category, a rating of at least IP21 provides the safest situation and the longest lifespan for the lamp in question.

Which IP rating should I choose for outdoors?

Outdoor lighting must of course be well protected against all kinds of weather conditions. It is therefore important to pay close attention to a lamp’s IP rating, especially for outdoor lighting. Outdoors, we can also divide lighting into 3 categories. First, category 1 includes lamps that must withstand all weather conditions. These lamps naturally require a high rating, namely at least IP65. Would you like to install lighting in a pond? Then choose at least IP67. This lighting can be immersed in water.

Category 2 includes lamps installed close to a wall or roof. As a result, the lamps have a reasonable amount of shelter, but a rating of at least IP44 is nevertheless recommended. The final category, category 3, includes all lamps that are installed in a genuinely sheltered location. Think, for example, of lamps on a covered balcony. This lighting will not come into direct contact with extreme weather conditions, but it may still be exposed to humidity. Therefore, choosing a minimum rating of IP23 is recommended for these lamps.