LED LIGHT WATERPROOF OR IP RATINGS EXPLAINED

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What is an Ingress Protection (or IP) Rating and How Does It Apply to LED Lights

Water and electricity never make for a pretty sight together. Water, when mixed with electricity, can be a cause of deadly electric shocks. These shocks can prove to be life threatening. To make matters worse, water can ruin the light quickly or over time. Double bad. The solution to tackle the electric shock risk as well as extending the life of your fixture comes in the form of waterproof LED lighting.

Waterproof levels can vary dramatically. Full Waterproof LED lights are different from water resistant lights which are different from regular lights. Waterproof LED lights are designed in such a way that they can sustain with any amount of water whereas water resistant lights can only work well for an infrequent and certain exposure to water. LED lights offer numerous benefits to the users such as conserving of electricity and enhanced savings, along with durability. However, another benefit they can give you in working well despite being exposed to different solid and liquid particles.

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What does IP rating in Waterproof Mean?

An Ingress Protection (or IP) rating is a standard that measures the degree of protection that an electrical device, such as an LED light, has against solid objects and liquids. An IP rating consists of two digits: the first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects, such as dust or dirt; the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids, such as water or moisture. The higher the digits, the higher the protection.

Various IP ratings Explained

Different LED lights have different IP ratings, depending on their intended use and environment. For example, an LED light that is designed for indoor use may have a lower IP rating than an LED light that is designed for outdoor use. Here are some of the common IP ratings for LED lights and what they mean:

• IP40: This rating means that the LED light is protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm, but not against liquids. This rating is suitable for LED lights that are used in enclosed fixtures or indoor areas where there is no exposure to water or humidity. Some examples of LED lights with this rating are LED bulbs, LED retrofit kits, and some indoor fixtures.

• IP54: This rating means that the LED light is protected against dust and splashing water. This rating is suitable for LED lights that are used in indoor areas where there may be some dust or moisture, but not direct contact with water. Some examples of LED lights with this rating are basic LED bulbs and indoor fixtures.

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• IP64: This rating means that the LED light is completely protected against dust and splashing water. This rating is suitable for LED lights that are used in outdoor areas where there may be dust or rain, but not immersion in water. This is the highest rating that an LED corn light bulb can have, because it has to screw into a base that cannot be sealed.

• IP65: This rating means that the LED light is completely protected against dust and water jets. This rating is suitable for LED lights that are used in outdoor areas where there may be dust or water spray, such as from a hose or a sprinkler. This is the most popular rating for outdoor fixtures, such as LED wall packs or LED parking lot lights.

The most commonly used LED lights ranking is IP65 as it provides protection against solid particles and resistance against liquid particles including all rain, snow and humidity as well.

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• IP67: This rating means that the LED light is completely protected against dust and temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter deep. This rating is suitable for LED lights that are used in outdoor areas where there may be dust or water submersion, such as from a flood or a pool.

When choosing an LED light for your application, you should consider the IP rating as one of the factors that affect its performance and durability. You should select an IP rating that matches the environmental conditions and requirements of your location. You should also follow the installation instructions and precautions for your LED light to ensure its proper functioning and safety.

What is an IP Rating and How to Interpret It

An IP rating is a code that indicates the degree of protection that a lighting product has against the ingress of solid objects and liquids. The code consists of the letters IP, followed by two digits and sometimes a letter. The first digit represents the protection level against solid objects, such as dust or fingers. The second digit represents the protection level against liquids, such as water or moisture. The optional letter provides additional information about the product's suitability for certain conditions or applications.



The first digit ranges from 0 to 6, with higher numbers indicating higher protection. For example, 0 means no protection, 1 means protection against objects larger than 50 mm, and 6 means complete protection against dust. The second digit ranges from 0 to 9, with higher numbers indicating higher protection. For example, 0 means no protection, 4 means protection against splashing water, and 8 means protection against continuous immersion in water.

Sometimes, the letter X is used instead of a number to indicate that the product has not been tested or rated for that aspect of protection. For instance, IPX5 means that the product has been tested and rated for protection against water jets, but not for protection against solid objects. Conversely, IP5X means that the product has been tested and rated for protection against dust, but not for protection against liquids.

Betopper Par Light LPC017NIn some cases, an additional letter may be added at the end of the code to convey supplementary information about the product's compliance with certain standards or specifications. Some of the common letters are:

• F: Oil-resistant

• W: Suitable for weather conditions

• H: High-voltage device

• S: Device was standing still during water test

• M: Device was moving during water test

For example, IP55W means that the product has complete protection against dust and water jets, and is also suitable for damp and wet weather conditions.


An IP rating is an important factor to consider when choosing a lighting product for your application. You should select an IP rating that matches the environmental conditions and requirements of your location. You should also follow the installation instructions and precautions for your lighting product to ensure its proper functioning and safety.

For more information, please follow our Betopper official website https://betopperdj.com/, or our official YouTube account https://www.youtube.com/@betopperofficial. Don't miss it!

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