Every lamp has a code on it such as IP20, IP44 or IP65. Those two digits tell you how well the lamp is protected against dust and water, and so whether it can hang in the bathroom, the garage or outdoors. In this article I decode the code, show you which rating you need per location and explain what the IK rating for impact resistance means.
In short
- IP20: dry rooms indoors, such as the living room and bedroom.
- IP44: splashing water, such as the bathroom outside the shower or under a canopy.
- IP65: outdoors in wind and weather, and wet or dusty rooms.
- IK08: impact-resistant enough for the garage and workshop.
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What does IP mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection: protection against intrusion. The first digit (0 to 6) is about solid particles such as fingers, tools and dust. The second digit (0 to 9) is about water. The higher the digit, the better the protection. If there's an X, as in IPX4, that part hasn't been tested.
IP65 = dust-tight (6) and protected against water jets (5)
The first digit: dust and contact
| Digit | Protection against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Objects larger than 50 mm (for example a hand) |
| 2 | Objects larger than 12.5 mm (fingers) |
| 3 | Objects larger than 2.5 mm (tools, thick wire) |
| 4 | Objects larger than 1 mm (thin wire, small screws) |
| 5 | Dust-protected: dust does not interfere with operation |
| 6 | Dust-tight |
The second digit: water
| Digit | Protection against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Vertically falling drops |
| 2 | Drops at an angle of up to 15 degrees |
| 3 | Spraying water up to 60 degrees (rain) |
| 4 | Splashing water from all directions |
| 5 | Water jets from all directions |
| 6 | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Temporary immersion (up to 1 metre) |
| 8 | Continuous immersion (as specified by the manufacturer) |
| 9K | High-pressure hot-water cleaning |
The most common IP ratings
🏠 IP20 · dry rooms
Protected against fingers, not against water. The standard for the living room, bedroom, hallway and office. Doesn't belong in a damp room or outdoors.
🚿 IP44 · splashing water
Resistant to splashing water from all directions. For the bathroom outside the shower and bath, under a canopy, in the carport and by the front door under an awning.
🧹 IP54 · dust and splashing water
Handy in sheds, dusty workshops and places with the occasional rain.
🌧️ IP65 · dust-tight and water jets
The safe choice for outdoor lighting in wind and weather, and for wet or dusty indoor spaces such as the garage and workshop.
🌊 IP67 and IP68 · immersion
For ground spotlights that can end up in puddles, pond lighting and lighting in the shower tray. IP67 can go under water temporarily, IP68 continuously.
Matching products per IP rating:
Work light on stand · IP44900 lumens, daylight white, with plugView ›
Round outdoor light, 2x GU10 · IP54For facade or carportView ›
Floodlight 10W · IP65900 lumens, daylight white, blackView ›
Floodlight 30W warm white · IP653300 lumens, replaces 350WView ›
Round work light 27W · IP6710-30V, for tractor, boat or camperView ›
Yard lighting 30W · IP654050 lumens warm whiteView ›
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Which IP rating do you need where?
| Location | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Living room, bedroom, hallway | IP20 |
| Kitchen (above hob or sink) | IP20, IP44 if there's a lot of steam |
| Bathroom outside the zones | IP20, IP44 recommended |
| Bathroom zones 1 and 2 | At least IPX4 |
| In the shower tray or bathtub (zone 0) | IPX7, on safety extra-low voltage |
| Under a canopy, carport | IP44 |
| Outdoors, unsheltered | IP54 to IP65 |
| Ground spotlights, pond | IP67 to IP68 |
| Unheated garage, shed, basement | IP44 to IP65 |
| Dusty workshop | IP54 to IP65 |
Bathroom zones in brief
- Zone 0: inside the bath or shower tray.
- Zone 1: directly above the bath or shower tray, up to 2.25 metres high.
- Zone 2: a 60 cm strip around zone 1.
- Outside the zones: the rest of the bathroom.
Take a look at our LED lighting for the bathroom. If you're unsure about the layout, have an electrician take a look.
What is the IK rating?
The IK rating indicates how much impact energy a luminaire can withstand, from IK00 (not protected) to IK10. Important in sports halls, car parks, public spaces and workshops where something might hit the lamp.
| Code | Impact resistance | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| IK06 | 1 joule | 250-gram object from a height of 40 cm |
| IK07 | 2 joules | 500-gram object from a height of 40 cm |
| IK08 | 5 joules | 1.7 kg object from a height of 30 cm |
| IK09 | 10 joules | 5 kg object from a height of 20 cm |
| IK10 | 20 joules | 5 kg object from a height of 40 cm |
For a garage or workshop IK08 is a fine choice; for sports halls and places at risk of vandalism choose IK10.
Real-life examples
🚪 Front door without an awning
The lamp catches rain from all sides. Choose IP65.
🏡 Under a deep canopy
The lamp stays dry, with just the odd splash. IP44 is enough.
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Frequently asked questions
What does IP20 mean?
Is IP44 waterproof?
What's the difference between IP65 and IP67?
Which IP rating do I need in the bathroom?
What does IK08 mean?
Can an IP65 lamp also be used indoors?
Kind regards,
Bas / LEDPLANET.NL