Note: Standards are continually being updated. Please verify that all information is current prior to starting a project or purchasing products.
IP Ratings Explained:
IP ratings are used where water is present near the light source. IP ratings ("Ingress Protection") are also used in conjunction with zones.
All IP ratings consist of two digits - the first value is between 0 & 6, the second takes a value between 0 & 8.
The first digit represents protection against foreign bodies (dust, tools, fingers etc.)
The second digit represents protection against ingress of liquids.
Table 1 provides a listing of all the possible combinations of IP ratings along with a short description of each.
| Table 1 - IP Ratings | |||
First Digit |
Foreign Bodies |
Second Digit |
Liquids |
0 |
No protection |
0 |
No protection |
1 |
Protected against solid objects greater than 50mm (e.g. accidental touch by hands) |
1 |
Protection against vertically falling drops of water (e.g. condensation) |
2 |
Protected against solid objects greater than 12mm (e.g. fingers) |
2 |
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from vertical |
3 |
Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm (e.g. tools and wires) |
3 |
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 60 degrees from vertical |
4 |
Protected against solid objects greater than 1mm (e.g. small tools and wires) |
4 |
Protection against water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted |
5 |
Protected against dust (e.g. no harmful deposit) |
5 |
Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions - limited ingress permitted |
6 |
Totally protected against dust |
6 |
Protected against high pressure jets of water from all directions (use on ship deck) - limited ingress permitted |
7 |
Protected against the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m |
||
8 |
Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure |
||
Common IP Ratings & Placement:
Although there are numerous combinations of IP ratings, the most common ones are illustrated below - together with examples of products.
IP68
IP65
IP44
Zone 0 - Inside the bath or shower. Any fittings used here must be SELV (max. 12v) and have a minimum rating of IP67.
Zone 1 - Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m. IP56 Recommended.
Zone 2 - The area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above the bath or shower if over 2.25m. IP44 Recommended.
Zone 3 - IP Rating not essential.