This you should know about IP values in lighting

• Posted on 30 May 2023
• 0

In the lighting industry, you often have to deal with IP values. Lamps and luminaires all have such a value. An IP value is very important for safety. This is because the IP value allows you to determine for which places the product is suitable. In this blog, you can read all about IP values!

What are IP values?

The abbreviation IP stands for "International Protection Rating". The IP value indicates the extent to which a product is protected against dust, water and solid objects. The two digits in an IP value each have their own meaning. The first digit indicates the degree of protection against dust and solid objects. This number ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (completely dust-free). The second digit indicates how well the product is protected against water and moisture. This figure ranges from 0 (no protection) to 9 (moisture-proof). So there can be many different IP values, each indicating its own degree of protection against water and dust. For more clarity on IP values, please see the IP value overview.

Common IP values for lighting

IP values are also common for lighting. The IP value is used to determine where certain lamps, luminaires, dimmers, etc. can be placed. The most common IP values for lighting are discussed below.

IP20

When a product has the IP value IP20, it is protected against manual touching. As the second digit is 0, products with this value have no protection against moisture and water. Products with IP20 are suitable for indoor areas such as the living room, bedroom or an office space.

IP44

IP44 is also common for lighting. These products are protected against pointed objects. They are also splash-proof. Products with IP44 are suitable for many indoor spaces. Furthermore, these can also be used in covered outdoor areas.

IP54

The IP rating IP54 indicates that the housing is completely sealed, protecting the products from dust. Furthermore, these products are splash-proof. IP54 products can safely be used in the bathroom. You can also place these products outside under a canopy.

IP65

Finally, IP65 is common for lighting and luminaires. This means that the housing is completely sealed, making the product completely dust-free. These products are also spray-proof. This means that no damage is caused when touched by 12.5 litres of water per minute. Products with IP65 can be used both indoors and outdoors. These products can also be placed where water/rain can occur.

With the information in this blog, you can make the right choice in terms of purchasing and installing lamps, luminaires, dimmers and other products.