ADVICE

IP protection types

How well is a luminaire protected against moisture and foreign bodies?

The IP protection class provides information about protection against contact and foreign bodies as well as protection against the ingress of water with harmful effects. The term IP protection class is usually also referred to as IP protection class. However, the protection class refers to a completely different product characteristic.

Luminaires according to IP protection classes

Suitable for living spaces without moisture

Indoor lights IP44

Protection from splashing water on all sides

Resistant to rain and insect ingress

Better dust protection for use in the workshop or garage

Dust-proof housing and water jet protection against heavy rain

Protected against temporary/permanent submersion

Important note: Please note that different IP protection classes are prescribed in the bathroom depending on the protected area and in different parts of the outdoor area and must be complied with.

What does IP protection class mean?

To ensure that a garden light works reliably in all weathers, an outdoor light has a water-protected housing.

The IP protection class (English for International, sometimes referred to as Ingress Protection) provides information on how the product is protected against the ingress of foreign bodies and moisture.

IP protection class table

How to read the IP protection class: The IP protection class is made up of 2 digits. The 1. The 2nd digit indicates the protection against contact (with dangerous parts by persons or farm animals) and also how the equipment is protected against the ingress of foreign bodies. The 2. The second digit indicates protection against moisture. The higher the number, the greater the protection. As a rule, luminaires have protection ratings from IP20 to IP68.


	1. Code number against penetration of foreign bodies	2. Code number against ingress of water with harmful effects
0	not protected	not protected
1	Protected against solid foreign bodies ≥ 50 mm	Protected against vertical dripping
2	Protected against solid foreign bodies ≥ 12.5 mm	Protected against dripping water at an angle (15° inclination)
3	Protected against solid foreign bodies ≥ 2.5 mm	Protected against water spray
4	Protected against solid foreign bodies ≥ 1 mm	Protected against splash water
5	Dust-protected	Protected against water jets
6	Dustproof	Protected against strong water jets
7	-	Protected against temporary submersion
8	-	Protected against temporary submersion
9	-	Protected against high pressure and high jet water temperature

Which IP protection class is waterproof?

It is often assumed that IP44 is waterproof. That is not correct. A luminaire is only waterproof if it is protected against temporary or permanent immersion. This only applies to IP67 and IP68.

What does splash-proof mean?

Splash-proof luminaires with IP44 offer protection from rain. Heavy rain, on the other hand, is defined as water jets. IP65 is required here instead.

Which types of protection are particularly common?

IP44 Meaning

Protection against foreign bodies > 1 mm and splash water on all sides offers resistance to rain. In addition, insects cannot penetrate. Frequently used for luminaires for house walls and - depending on the installation location - also in damp rooms.

IP54 Meaning

Protection against splash water and better dust protection for use in the hobby room, workshop or garage. They should not be placed unprotected in the garden or embedded in the ground, as they run the risk of being submerged in water.

IP65 Meaning

Dustproof housing and water jet protection against heavy rain. This means that the luminaire can also be installed free-standing, i.e. without a canopy. If there is a risk of the product being temporarily submerged in water, at least IP67 is required.

Which IP protection class is required where?

Moisture is not to be expected in dry rooms such as the living room. IP20 luminaires can therefore be used here. In addition to outdoor areas, however, it is mainly wet rooms such as the bathroom that require increased IP protection.

IP protection types in the bathroom

Moisture and splashing water are to be expected in the bathroom. Therefore, according to DIN VDE 0100-701:2008-10, at least IP44, IP65 or IP67 is required, depending on the installation location.

The bathroom is divided into three protected areas:

IP44

Lights must be splash-proof up to 60 cm around the bathtub or shower and up to a height of 2.25 m.

IP65

Up to a height of 2.25 m around the shower head and bath/shower tray, the lights must be protected against water jets and may only be operated with safety extra-low voltage up to 12 volts.

IP67

In the bath and shower area, the lights must be waterproof in the event of temporary submersion and may only be operated with safety extra-low voltage up to 12 volts.

Caution: The power source and the transformer for 12-volt systems must be located outside these three areas.

IP protection types in the kitchen

In the living area, IP20 lights are perfectly adequate for the kitchen. The only exception to this may be base unit lights near the sink, for example. Protection class IP44 is recommended here. Only in commercial areas is a different type of protection often required.

IP protection types in basements and damp rooms

Particularly in basements and garages, there can be a high level of humidity that can potentially penetrate a luminaire and cause damage. IP44 luminaires are therefore recommended for these areas.

IP protection types in the garden with pond

The outdoor area is subject to all kinds of weather conditions. However, not every luminaire is equally exposed to all weather conditions. The installation location determines the correct IP protection class.

_*This information is for guidance only. The more protected an area is, the lower the IP protection class may be. Examples include covered outdoor wall lights with IP23. If in doubt, please always ask our technical advice and have the installation carried out by an electrician.

Under the roof, canopy or balcony

Protected by the architecture, rain is not to be expected here. IP23 is therefore sufficient for wall luminaires as well as recessed luminaires directly below the roof.

On the house wall

It is likely that the luminaire will come into contact with rain. Splash-proof luminaires with IP44 are therefore necessary.

Freestanding

Many path lights are constantly exposed to all weathers and are therefore only optimally protected against water jets, i.e. heavy rain, with IP65. If they can be temporarily submerged in water, IP65 is not sufficient.

To the IP65 luminaires

Near the garden pond

IP67 is required here, as well as for recessed floor luminaires that can be submerged in water when it rains. Underwater lights have IP68 and a maximum depth. In most cases, drainage is also necessary.

IP protection types in entrance area and driveway

Luminaires close to the ground run the risk of being flooded, at least briefly, during heavy rainfall. This makes waterproof luminaires with a protection rating of at least IP67 mandatory - protected against submersion for up to 30 minutes. In most cases, drainage must also be provided.