An IP rating has two digits: the first rates protection against dust from 0 to 6, the second against water from 0 to 9. IP20 suits dry interiors, IP44 splashes, IP65 dust and water jets, IP66 powerful jets and IP67 temporary immersion. Choose the rating by the worst conditions the fitting will see, including cleaning: a cold store that is hosed down needs more than one that is only damp.
The two digits
| First digit | Protection against solids | Second digit | Protection against water |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | None | 0 | None |
| 1 | Objects over 50 mm | 1 | Vertically dripping water |
| 2 | Objects over 12.5 mm (fingers) | 2 | Dripping water, tilted up to 15° |
| 3 | Objects over 2.5 mm | 3 | Spraying water |
| 4 | Objects over 1 mm | 4 | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Dust-protected | 5 | Water jets (6.3 mm nozzle) |
| 6 | Dust-tight | 6 | Powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle) |
| 7 | Temporary immersion, up to 1 m | ||
| 8 | Continuous immersion, beyond 1 m | ||
| 9 | High-pressure, high-temperature water |
An X in place of a digit, as in IPX4, means that part was not tested.
Common ratings for light fittings
| Rating | What it means | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Finger-safe, no water protection | Dry interiors: shops, offices, hotels |
| IP44 | Splash-proof | Sheltered outdoor, bathroom zones 1 and 2 |
| IP54 | Dust-protected, splash-proof | Dusty indoor areas, covered outdoor |
| IP65 | Dust-tight, water jets | Car parks, cold stores, food areas, yards |
| IP66 | Dust-tight, powerful jets | Exposed outdoor, hosed-down areas |
| IP67 | Dust-tight, temporary immersion | Ground-level and flood-risk positions |
IP65 vs IP66
Both are fully dust-tight. The difference is the water test: IP65 withstands low-pressure jets from a 6.3 mm nozzle, IP66 powerful jets from a 12.5 mm nozzle. For car parks, cold stores and indoor damp areas, IP65 is usually enough. For exposed facades, yards and areas cleaned with a hose, choose IP66.
Which rating for each area
| Area | Minimum we recommend | Our fittings |
|---|---|---|
| Shops, offices, hotel corridors | IP20 | LED downlights (IP20), LED track lighting (dry interiors) |
| Car parks, stairwells, plant rooms | IP65 | LED tri-proof lights |
| Cold stores, food preparation | IP65 | LED tri-proof lights, round tube tri-proof light |
| Loading yards, facades, signage | IP65 to IP66 | LED floodlights |
| Warehouses with dust | IP54 to IP65 | LED tri-proof lights, LED high bay lights |
Bathroom zones in the UK
BS 7671 sets zones around baths and showers:
- Zone 0: inside the bath or shower tray. IPX7 minimum.
- Zone 1: above the bath or shower up to 2.25 m. IPX4 minimum.
- Zone 2: 0.6 m around zone 1. IPX4 minimum.
- Outside the zones: no specific rating, unless water jets are used for cleaning.
Our indoor downlights are IP20 and are for dry areas outside the bathroom zones.
IP is not the whole story
- IK rating measures impact resistance, from IK00 to IK10. Ask for it in sports halls, schools and public areas.
- Temperature range matters in cold stores and hot plant rooms: check the fitting’s rated ambient temperature.
- Cable entry keeps the rating only if the gland and cable are fitted correctly.
Get the right fitting
Tell us the area, cleaning method and temperatures. We recommend the fitting and rating and return a quotation within 24 hours.
Request a quote → · WhatsApp +86 189 9834 8092 · [email protected] · replies within business hours (GMT+8)