Damp Location Lighting vs Wet Location Lighting

While searching for lighting for your application, you may have noticed that some fixtures are labeled “rated for wet environments” while others are “rated for damp environments”. Is there a difference? Yes. They are not the same and it’s important to know what it is.

The topic of this article will help you to choose the appropriate commercial lighting or industrial outdoor lighting for your facility or application based on these ratings. For example, an outdoor shoebox mounted on a light pole should be rated for wet environments. A warehouse light should be rated for damp locations if the area is humid or condensation is present.

To simplify a bit, these ratings account for varying moisture exposure levels. Also, they tell you how well lighting products can withstand these conditions.

However, to completely understand what damp rated vs wet rated means, we need to dive a little deeper.

So, if you are a facility manager, you may know how important it is to select your lighting carefully.

Damp vs Wet Rated Lighting

The main reason people use wet-rated and damp-rated lighting fixtures is to add a level of safety.

Also, it can be problematic and even dangerous when lights are exposed to water or moisture.

Exposure to different levels of moisture may cause a light fixture to stop working. Even worse, it can become dangerous – as water and electricity do not mix well.

LEDs need an electrical current to create light. Unfortunately, water serves as a conductor. When water makes a connection to electricity, it can cause electrocution or fires.

That’s the reason it is essential to prevent moisture from accumulating inside a lighting fixture and keep it away from all electrical connections.

When you use properly rated light fixtures in wet environments, it also ensures the light will last as long as it was designed to.

Damp-rated lights are moisture resistance lighting. When installed in wet environments they will probably fail. The same thing applies to dry-rated lights in a damp environment.

Using the proper lighting rating system for its environment ensures the lights work safely and for as long as they are designed to function.

What Are Considered Dry, Damp, and Wet Locations?

Dry Locations

Areas that are not normally subject to dampness are called dry locations. These locations may include areas subjected to brief dampness.

For example, a building that is under construction is subjected to dampness. It should provide adequate ventilation to prevent the collection of moisture.

Damp Locations

Damp locations are defined as an interior or exterior location that is periodically or normally subject to moisture condensation on, in, or next to, electrical equipment.

These locations even include partially protected regions.

Wet Locations

Wet locations are defined as areas in which liquids such as water can splash, flow on, or drip against electrical equipment.

Wet location luminaires need to be constructed in a way that prevents water accumulation on internal electrical components.

What Are Damp and Wet Location-Rated LED Lights?

Damp Location Rated LED Lighting

Damp ratings refer to moist areas with no direct water exposure.

When lights are marked as appropriate for damp environments, they can be put up in locations like cold rooms, parking garages, or changing rooms at gymnasiums.

You can employ outdoor damp-rated LED lighting options for outdoor canopy lighting that is not exposed to wind or rain.

Also, you can use them in locations of buildings that have overhangs that do not permit water to trickle through. Otherwise, you should opt for wet-rated lighting solutions.

So, what’s a damp location exactly? It is a partially protected location where a product may sweat, or condensation might form periodically. Regions that are musty and humid are considered damp locations.

Applications

• Food Processing
• Natatoriums
• Tunnels
• Mining
• Cold Storage

Wet Location-Rated Lighting

Wet ratings refer to areas where the wet-rated outdoor light fixtures may encounter rain, dripping water or some other liquid that could splash or flow against or on your LED lighting fixture or LED lamp. Wet location-rated fixtures are also referred to as waterproof lighting or weatherproof fixtures.

When lights come in direct contact with snow or rain outdoors, people need wet-rated LED lighting will be required there.

Wall packs, flood lights, shoeboxes, and stadium lights must be wet location-rated due to their constant exposure to the elements. In many cases, a wet-location light fixture has an IP rating (ingress protection). So, a fixture that is rated IP65 to IP68 is considered to be a wet location-rated light.

When a lighting option is marked as appropriate for a wet location, it can be used in both indoor and outdoor locations.

Applications

• Highways
• Car Wash
• Stadium Lighting
• Offshore Rigs
• Parking Lots

It’s important to note that two independent testing companies in North America certify fixtures as wet or damp-rated: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL). The UL rating and ETL lighting certification assure the safety standards of all types of consumer and commercial products. If the fixtures have passed the testing from either one of these companies, you will see their labels on the packaging and on the product itself.