Choosing your favourite lighting fixtures for your home should be fun and easy. Crafting the perfect ambience allows you to set the tone of each room and exterior space, effectively implementing your style and taste to the finer details. Yet, the nature of lighting means that certain aspects may be less straightforward than simply choosing your favourite colours and light shades. While our Ultimate Guide to the Kelvin Light Scale covers everything you need to know about colour temperature, we are here to tell you everything you need to know about IP-rated lights to prepare you even further when its time to give your lighting a revamp.
At Dusk Lighting, our customers are always a top priority, helping you find the perfect light fixtures to help you create your dream home. This blog is designed to ensure IP ratings are explained so you can always shop for your lighting with confidence.
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What is the IP rating for lights?
Lights are classified by IP ratings (Ingress Protection), which refer to their protection level against water, dust and dirt. Upon testing, lights are provided with an IP number, which identifies their level of immunity against things entering them and the effectiveness of their sealing. Higher digits signify a more robust protection level.
IP ratings are formatted as two digits. The first digit establishes how protective the enclosure is concerning solid materials and ranges between 0-6.
The following digit plays a similar part but focuses on protection against water and liquid. Ranging between 0-8, 0 stands for no protection, while 8 allows the light to be completely immersed in water without damage.
Do all lights have an IP rating?
Generally, IP ratings are only given to outdoor lights or those in regular contact with moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. The testing procedure of lights is very expensive therefore, some manufacturers may choose to refrain from putting all lights through this if they are specifically designed for a non-hazardous part of your home.
How do I know the IP rating of a light?
While the typical IP rating will appear as IP43, some may have a letter at the end to symbolise certified resistance to particular hazards, voltages or materials. Alternatively, it may identify whether the light has been tested in certain conditions or environments like water.
IP Ratings Explained
| First Number | Protection from Solid Ingress | Second Number | Protection from Liquid Ingress |
| 0 | No protection | 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protected against solid objects measuring over 50mm. | 1 | Protected from vertical water droplets and condensation. |
| 2 | Protected against solid objects measuring over 12mm. | 2 | Protected against light contact with water up to 15° from the vertical. |
| 3 | Protected against solid objects measuring over 2.5mm. | 3 | Protected against light contact with water up to 60° from the vertical. |
| 4 | Protected against solid objects measuring over 1mm. | 4 | Protected against direct contact with splashed water from all directions. Limited ingress with no harmful effects. |
| 5 | Partially protected against dust. | 5 | Protected against low-pressure jets of water from all directions. Limited ingress with no harmful effects. |
| 6 | Fully protected against dust. | 6 | Protected against strong-pressure jets of water from all directions. |
| N/A | N/A | 7 | Protected against temporary immersion effects between 15-100cm. 30-minute duration test. |
| N/A | N/A | 8 | Protected against long immersion times under pressure. |
Best IP-rated lights for your home
As we’ve covered, IP ratings are only strictly applied to lights in more contact with liquid or moisture. To simplify your light selection process, we have provided our recommended IP ratings for various areas of your home where light protection will be crucial.
What is the best IP rating for outdoor lights?
| Light Type | IP Rating |
| General Garden Lighting | IP44 |
| Pond Lighting | IP68 |
| Security Lighting | IP44 |
| String Lighting | IP44 |
| Porch Lanterns | IP20/IP44 (if particularly exposed) |
What is the best IP rating for bathroom lights?
| Light Location | IP Rating |
| Water-based light | IP67 |
| Above bath or shower | IP65 |
| Not in line with bath or shower | IP44 |
What is the best IP rating for kitchen lights?
| Light Location | IP Rating |
| Light steam/water-prone area | IP20 |
| Heaver steam/water-prone area | IP44 |
Purchase your favourite lighting fixtures from Dusk Lighting!
With your new knowledge of IP ratings, it’s time to purchase the best lighting fixtures for your home! Whether you need bathroom wall lights or want to modernise your kitchen with linear pendant lighting, you can shop confidently, knowing you have all the information you need to choose the perfect designs from aesthetic to IP-rated!
Browse our stunning range of lighting fixtures today and qualify for Free Mainland Delivery On Orders Over £59!