IP Codes - An In-Depth Explanation

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If you have worked with LED lighting, there is a good chance you have seen an 'IP' code on these products. If you are unfamiliar with this rating system and have a desire to learn about it, you are at the right place. This article will discuss how the IP code system applies to our LED products at HitLights.

Ingress Protection Rating (IP) Codes:

IP codes, sometimes called IP ratings, were created as an international standard rating the level of protection against solids and liquids. The chart listed below gives an explanation on the numeric values in IP codes (IP-XX) with the first number representing penetration by solid objects and the second number representing penetration by liquids. A more detailed explanations is available on wikipedia.

First number value:
0 or X: Not evaluated
1: Protection from solid objects 50.0 millimeters or greater
2: Protection from solid objects 12.5 millimeters or greater
3: Protection from solid objects 2.5 millimeters or greater
4: Protection from solid objects 1.0 millimeters or greater
5: Protection from significant amounts of dust
6: Protection from any amount of dust

Second number value:
0 or X: Not evaluated
1: Protection from vertically dripping water
2: Protection from dripping water tilted at a 15 degree angle
3: Protection from spraying or sprayed water
4: Protection from splashing or splashed water
5: Protection from lower pressure water jets
6: Protection from higher pressure water jets
7: Protection against temporary immersion in water
8: Protection against continuous immersion in water

Listed above are the numerical values and how they apply in sequence. For example, a product with an IP code of IP24 would provide protection against solid objects at a size of 12.5 millimeters or greater and against splashing or splashed water.

Application of IP Codes with HitLights Products:

Most of our products have IP ratings ranging from IP-20 to IP-68. Most notable of these products are our LED light strips and power supplies in which the majority are either IP30, IP65, or IP67. A good comparison would consist of our IP65 Weatherproof strips and our IP67 Waterproof strips. The IP65 light strips which provide protection against dust and protection against water jets whereas our IP67 LED light strips would provide the same dust protection but allow for temporary immersion into water.

It should be noted that some of our items may not have an IP rating listed, whether it be on the packaging or under the product page specifications. If this is the case, it would be IP00 or IPXX by default.