You picked the most trending bathroom light or a stylish outdoor fixture. The design looks great. The finish matches your space. But did you check the IP ratings lighting fixtures? The majority of people don’t, and soon what seems to be a small detail can actually turn out into a costly one.
Buying lights that are not rated for moisture or dust can fail quickly, create safety hazards, or even void your home insurance. That’s why it is important to check the IP ratings for every light. These ratings pinpoint exactly how well a fixture is protected against such things.
In this guide, we will know what does IP mean on lights UK, how to read these ratings, and what works best for each space. So, let's dive right into it.
But First, What Does an IP Rating For Lighting Mean?
IP stands for "Ingress Protection." It is an international standard (IEC 60529) used to define how well a light fitting is sealed. It measures resistance, i.e., how hard it is for foreign objects like dust, dirt, and water to get trapped inside the fixture.
When you see an IP code, it is IP44, 54, 65, etc. These are the two numerals in an IP code. Here is how to read them:
- First Digit (0-6): This shows the protection level against solid particles like flying objects, wind, storm, dust, sand, etc.
- Second digit (0 to 8): This tells you the protection against liquids like rain, splashes, or submersion.
The higher the number, the greater the protection. For example, if you see a light with IP65, it means:
- 6 = High dust protection
- 5 = Low protection against water splashing
So, the fitting is fully protected against objects and offers resistance to low-pressure jets from any direction.
IP Rating Chart: Full Breakdown
Protection Against Solids (First Digit)
| Digit | Protection Level | Plain English Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No Protection | Open to touch. |
| 1 | >50mm | Protected against large objects (hands). |
| 2 | >12.5mm | Protected against fingers. |
| 3 | >2.5mm | Protected against tools/thick wires. |
| 4 | >1mm | Protected against small wires/bugs. |
| 5 | Dust Protected | Not fully dust-tight, but dust won’t interfere with operation. |
| 6 | Dust Tight | Complete protection; no dust gets in. |
Protection Against Liquids (Second Digit)
| Digit | Protection Level | Usage | Common Lighting Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | No Protection | No protection against water. | Indoor dry areas (Bedrooms). |
| 1 | Dripping Water | Protects against vertical water drops. | Drip-proof indoor lights. |
| 2 | Dripping Water (15° tilt) | Protects against water drops when tilted. | Indoor protected areas. |
| 3 | Spraying Water | Protects against spraying water up to 60°. | Covered outdoor areas. |
| 4 | Splashing Water | Protects against splashes from any direction. | IP44 outdoor lighting, Bathrooms. |
| 5 | Water Jets | Protects against low-pressure water jets. | Open gardens, driveways. |
| 6 | Powerful Jets | Protects against high-pressure water jets. | Industrial sites, exposed exteriors. |
| 7 | Immersion (up to 1m) | Protects against temporary submersion. | Pond lights, deck lights. |
| 8 | Continuous Immersion | Protects against long-term submersion. | Swimming pool lights. |
In some cases, you will see an alphabet X mentioned in place of a number in an IP code. For example, IP5X. The X here does not mean zero protection. It just shows that there is no current data available for the type of protection.
What IP Ratings Do You Need for Bathroom Lighting?
Bathrooms are wet zones, and hence, safety is very important. In the UK, IP65 bathroom lights are often the go-to choice because they handle steam and splashes easily. However, different areas of the bathroom require different levels.
Bathroom Zones explained:
- Zone 0 (Inside the bath or shower): This is the wettest area. You need a minimum of IP67. These lights can handle being submerged.
- Zone 1 (Above the bath or shower): Needs a minimum of IP44.
- Zone 2 (60cm radius around the bath/shower): Needs a minimum of IP44.
What are IP Ratings for Outdoor Lighting?
When buying lights for the outdoor area of your home, the weather is your biggest challenge. Rain, snow, and wind can damage unprotected electrics. So, for anything outside the general rule is simple: the more exposed, the higher the rating you need.
Below are our recommendations for outdoor use:
- Sheltered outdoor areas: For areas such as under a porch, canopy, or eaves, IP44 is the minimum. This covers splashing rain and light moisture.
- Open areas: For open outdoor areas such as garden walls, driveways, or open patios, you should use IP65 or higher. This ensures the light can handle heavy rain and hose jets.
- Fully submersible feature lighting: For ponds, pools, and underwater features, you need IP67 or IP68.
IP Ratings for Indoor Lighting
Most people don't think about IP ratings for inside the house, but they matter. Here’s how to choose for indoor areas:
- Standard indoor areas: In dry areas, IP20 is standard. They work fine for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and offices where there is no moisture risk. It protects against accidental finger contact with live parts but offers no water protection.
- Moderate moisture-prone areas: Utility rooms, kitchen sinks and garages can get damp over time. IP44 is worth considering here as it protects against water splashes.
- High humidity zones: If your space deals with regular moisture, steam, or condensation, IP54 is a smarter upgrade. Perfect for busy kitchens, poorly ventilated bathrooms, or utility spaces.
Most Common Types of IP Ratings [Explained]
Here are the types of IP ratings commonly used in residential and commercial spaces.
IP20 - Offers protection against solid objects larger than 12mm. But there is no defence against water or dust. It is commonly used in indoor spaces like bedrooms, living rooms, etc., where moisture is not a concern.
IP44 - IP44 fixtures are protected against solid objects like small tools or wires. They also resist water splashing. This makes them a safe choice for areas like kitchen area fixtures & bathroom wall lights.
IP54 - Offers limited dust protection and splash resistance. Best for industrial indoor settings or semi-outdoor areas like carports.
IP65 - Fully dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets. Common examples include heavy-duty security floodlights and lights for industrial wash-down areas.
IP66 - Totally protected against dust and powerful high-pressure water jets. Mainly used in industrial areas and not residential spaces.
IP67 - IP67 lights are fully dust-tight and designed to withstand temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.
IP68 - The highest standard for consumer lighting. Fully sealed for continuous submersion beyond 1m. Used in swimming pool lighting and permanent underwater installations.
IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68 — Which One To Choose?
Many customers come to us confused about these ratings. IP65, 67, and 68 are high ingress protection ratings but they are designed for very different situations. So, the question comes: which one to choose when?
Let’s compare IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68 to find that out:
| IP Rating | Dust Protection | Water Protection | Depth Resistance | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP65 | Fully dust-tight | Low level of protection against water jets. It can handle rain, splashing, and light washdowns. | Not submersible | Outdoor wall lights, garden floodlights, driveway lighting |
| IP67 | Fully dust-tight | Protected against temporary submersion. | Up to 1 metre for 30 minutes | Pond lights, uplights, and landscape path lights |
| IP68 | Fully dust-tight | Protected against continuous submersion. | Depth and duration specified by the manufacturer, typically beyond 1 metre | Pool lights, submerged water feature lights, and permanent pond installations |
How to Choose the Right IP Rating?
Work through these three questions before you buy:
- 1 Where is the light going? Inside a dry room, in a bathroom, in a covered outdoor area, or fully exposed outside?
- 2. Check for dust and moisture. Is it a dusty environment like a garage or workshop? Or does it rain torrentially or occasionally?
- 3. Is it a permanent installation? Temporary lights have more flexibility. Permanent fittings should always meet or exceed the minimum rating for the location.
Based on these questions, below is a reference chart to help you choose the right IP-rated lighting:
| Location | Recommended IP Rating |
|---|---|
| Living room, bedroom and kids' room | IP20 |
| Kitchen area near sink or hob | IP44 |
| Bathroom (Shower area) | IP67 minimum |
| Bathroom (Sink area) | IP44 minimum |
| Covered outdoor area | IP44 |
| Exposed garden or driveway | IP65+ |
| Underwater (Ponds or Pools) | IP67 to IP68 |
Warning: Make sure you don’t use a lower IP rating fixture than the ones mentioned above for your home. It can lead to short circuits, electric shocks, or fire hazards. All this will add up to unnecessary insurance expenditure.
Conclusion
Getting the IP rating right is one of the most straightforward ways to make sure your lighting lasts long, performs safely, and meets UK regulations.
To recap:
- IP ratings for lighting use two digits: one for solid protection, one for liquid protection.
- For bathrooms, stick to UK zone rules. Choose IP44-rated fixtures for standard use and IP65 for showers.
- For most outdoor garden and wall lights, IP65 is the practical standard.
- Using a lower rating than required is a safety risk, not just an inconvenience.
At Lumination, we take safety seriously. Hence, every light is rated IP44 or higher to meet the weather conditions and electrical requirements.
If you are in search of such safe & durable lights, then check out our Outdoor Lighting Collection or Bathroom Lighting Range to find the right fitting for your space.
Not sure which IP rating you need? Contact our lighting experts, and we will point you in the right direction.
