IP Rating and LED Light Fixtures

Shopping for LED commercial and industrial lighting can be confusing. There are many factors to consider, but the good news is that you’ve already made a great choice by deciding to switch to LED lights.

LEDs provide numerous benefits, such as energy savings, lower maintenance costs, and significantly longer lifespans compared to other types of bulbs. However, there’s a lot to learn about LED lighting, and understanding the different attributes of each LED is essential to choosing the right light for your facility.

Learn more about what an IP rating is and how to read them below.

Where IP Rating Matters

Paying attention to IP ratings is always important, but some environments demand extra protection. Waterproof lighting is crucial for fixtures exposed to moisture, water, dust, or oil. For example, food processing plants, which use NSF-rated lighting, often require high-pressure cleaning. Oil rigs, exposed to seawater, demand special lighting with specific IP ratings.

Additionally, light fixtures in commercial refrigeration experience condensation and wet conditions, as well as extremely cold and harsh environments. A car wash light must endure extreme wet conditions, harsh cleaning agents, and hot wax. Lights installed in warehouses often face polluted and dusty environments that could cause damage.

This is why an LED fixture’s IP rating is critical. It provides a precise measurement of the protection of the electrical components. A higher IP rating indicates better protection against intrusion by smaller particulates, while a lesser rating signifies limited protection. The highest rating means the fixture is safeguarded and can be submerged in water without damage.

The International Protection Marking (IP Code / Ingress Protection) rates the effectiveness of bulb housings against intrusions such as dust or water. The IP rating, established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), applies to various products, especially lighting, as fixtures are often among the most fragile items in commercial and industrial environments.

IP ratings are particularly crucial for vapor tight and explosion-proof lights. These ratings ensure the fixtures are safe from environmental factors while protecting their internal components. Verifying the IP rating of vapor-tight lights is essential to avoid potential safety hazards.

An IP rating also indicates a fixture’s suitability for indoor or outdoor use. The “I” in IP refers to protection against solid particles, like dust, while the “P” refers to protection against water intrusion.

IP Rating First Digit (Protection Against Dust)

• 0: No protection at all from intrusion by objects
• 1: Objects greater than 50mm – Protected against large objects like the palm of a hand, though not against force or tampering.
• 2: Objects greater than 12.5mm – Protected against objects like fingers and similar-sized tools.
• 3: Objects greater than 2.5mm – Protected against tools, thick wires, and other similarly sized objects.
• 4: Objects greater than 1mm – Protected against small objects such as screws, fine tools, and most wires.
• 5: Dust that may affect performance – Protected against harmful quantities of dust and contact.
• 6: Completely dust tight – Fully protected against dust and other foreign objects.
• X: Unrated light fixtures – Fixtures with undefined IP ratings may pose hazards in high-abuse environments.

IP Rating Second Digit (Protection Against Liquids)

• 0: No protection – No protection against water or humidity.
• 1: Dripping water and condensation – Resistant to vertically falling water drops at a rate of 1mm per minute.
• 2: Water droplets when tilted 15° – Protected against water droplets landing at a 15° inclination.
• 3: Sprayed water at a 60° angle – Protected against water sprayed at angles up to 60°.
• 4: Water splashes from any direction – Resistant to water splashed from any direction.
• 5: Low-pressure water jets – Protected against low-pressure water jets from nozzles of at least 6.3mm.
• 6: Ocean waves and powerful water jets – Resistant to 12.5mm water jets and waves from all directions.
• 7: Temporary immersion up to 1mm – Protected against temporary immersion in water up to 1mm depth.
• 8: Immersion in pressurized conditions – Sealed against water intrusion when immersed for prolonged periods under specified conditions.

LED Lighting & IP Rating

Understanding IP ratings is critical to ensuring that your new LED Commercial Lighting or Industrial Lighting is suitable for your space. Facility managers and electricians know that these environments often present unique hazards for lighting.

Shipyards, labs, and oil rigs are examples of facilities requiring highly specialized lighting. Fortunately, specially engineered LEDs solve these challenges, which is why it’s essential to ensure your lights have the correct IP rating.

Knowing the appropriate IP rating for your application is crucial, but there are many other factors to consider when selecting the perfect lighting solution. If you’re converting from metal halide to LEDs, you can learn more about the process. Or, if you want to enhance your general knowledge about LEDs, this is a great place to start. Understanding IP ratings is a solid first step.