LED lights have revolutionized the lighting industry with their energy efficiency, durability and versatility. However, one of the biggest challenges with LED lights is keeping them protected from the elements, particularly water. This is where IP ratings come into play.

IP stands for Ingress Protection, which is a standard that classifies and rates the degree of protection provided by a product against the intrusion of solids and liquids. The IP rating system consists of two digits. The first digit indicates the degree of protection against solids, while the second digit indicates the degree of protection against liquids.

Let's take a closer look at the different types of IP ratings and what they mean.

The first number goes from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 6. 0 indicates no solid objects, and 6 indicates that it is fully protected from dust or small debris. The second number is similar with the key difference being that the numbers indicate protection agents liquids.

Let’s take a look at some practical examples:

IP20 - This rating indicates that the product offers some dust resistance and no water resistance.

IP64 - This rating indicates that the product is protected against vertically falling drops of water but may not be protected against water sprayed from any other direction.

IP65 - This rating indicates that the product is protected against water splashes from any direction, making it suitable for use in outdoor applications where it may be exposed to rain.

IP68 - This rating indicates that the product can withstand continuous immersion in water beyond a depth of 1 meter, making it suitable for use in underwater applications.

Thank you for learning about the different types of IP ratings for waterproof LED products. When choosing LED lights for your next project, be sure to consider the level of protection you require based on the conditions in which your lights will be used. Check out our website for specific product specs to know what kind of waterproofing our products offer.