An IP certification indicates the ingress protection of your lamp. This is especially relevant when choosing bathroom and outdoor lamps.
The IP certification indicates the lamp's resistance to foreign bodies and water. So it's quite important to know how much water your lamp can withstand if you intend to hang it in your bathroom or outdoors.
The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree of protection against dust and the like, as well as the protection from human contact with dangerous parts.
The second digit of the code indicates the resistance to water on the lamp.
There are many IP degrees that can describe the ingress protection of a product. We have gathered the most relevant for you, when choosing lamps:
IP20
- Hazardous parts are protected from contact with fingers and objects over 12 millimeters. No water protection. Used in normal, indoor spaces without contact with water or moisture. Most indoor lamps are rated IP20.
IP21
- Dangerous parts are protected against contact with fingers and objects over 12 millimeters. Protected against water droplets. Used in bathrooms with min. 60 cm distance to wet area, without direct contact with water. Can withstand short-term moisture. This degree is quite rare and we recommend using IP44 lamps in all of your bathroom.
IP44
- Dangerous parts are protected against tools and small parts. Protected against water spray from all directions. Used in bathrooms with 5-60 cm distance to wet area. Can withstand water spray from all directions and long-lasting moisture.
IP65
- Full protection against dust and dirt. Protected against strong jets of water from all directions. Used outdoors and in wet areas. Can withstand direct jets of water, such as a shower or heavy rain. Can also withstand the elements of nature such as dust, hail, wind and the like. These lamps can be used above the shower cubicle or outdoors.
IP68
- Full protection against dust and dirt. Protected against prolonged immersion in water. Used in the shower cabin floor or walls, in the bathtub or similar.
If in doubt, please don't hesitate to contact us regarding the IP-protection. When decorating a bathroom or installing outdoor lamps, it is always a good idea to consult a professional electrician.