IP rating refers to ingress protection rating or international protection ratings, which are used to qualify levels of dust- and water-sealing effectiveness. It is crucial to consider IP ratings if you are purchasing fixtures for dusty or wet environments.
An IP rating is defined by the letters IP, followed by two numbers. Its sole purpose is to provide accurate information about the protection level an electrical fixture offers. The first number offers a scale of 0–6 and relates to the protection levels against solids like dirt, sand, dust, and debris, while the second number (0–8) represents protection against liquids like moisture and water. The higher the number, the greater the protection against solids and liquids.
Main Differences Between IP65, IP66, and IP67
Depending on your project, the differences between these three ratings can be very important. A fixture rated with any of the three of these ratings is equally protected against dust, dirt, sand, and debris (as indicated by the “6” digit). The liquid/water protection for each of these three ratings is unique.
- IP65 – Water resistant
- IP66 – Water resistant against powerful jets
- IP67 – Protected against complete temporary water submersion
Which IP Rating Do I Need?
The answer to this question ultimately depends on the environment in which your fixtures will be installed. If your fixtures will be subjected to dust, sand, debris, or liquids, choosing a fixture with a higher IP rating is advised. To decide which IP rating is suitable for your project, examine the space where the fixture will be placed. Typically, low IP ratings are used for areas such as indoor settings where jetting water will never be an issue. Temperature controlled areas like office buildings and municipal buildings would not require high IP ratings. High-IP-rated fixtures are used for outdoor locations subjected to a greater amounts of liquids and dust, areas with a large footfall, wet locations, and unsealed locations, such as sports arenas, beachfront areas, and dirty warehouses.
IP65 Fixtures
A fixture with an IP rating of 65 is protected against multi-directional, low-pressure water jets. In order to pass testing and achieve an IP65 rating, fixtures must be able to withstand water projected by a 0.25-inch nozzle. To achieve satisfactory results, this test must be run for a minimum of fifteen minutes, with the water source placed three yards from the fixture. Additionally, the water pressure must be 30 kPa with a water volume of 3.3 gallons per minute.
Access Fixtures has many IP65 rated luminaires in many styles and for many applications. Here are just some of the Access Fixtures IP65 fixtures available for purchase.
- ZIBO – The ZIBO is a budget-friendly forward-throw wall pack that is L70 rated at over 50,000 hours.
- VAND – A sleek louvered bollard light, the VAND is a great vandal resistant lensproof bollard option.
- LUVO – LUVO is another great bollard option that is available in many styles and wattages, including medium-socket.
IP66 Fixtures
An IP66 rated fixture is protected against multi-directional, high-pressure water jets. To pass IP66 testing, the fixture must be able to withstand water projected from 0.50-inch nozzle, multi-directional, high-pressure jets. This test must be run for a minimum of three minutes, at a distance of three yards, with a water volume of 26.4 gallons per minute and a pressure of 100 kPa.
Access Fixtures has many IP66 rated luminaires in many styles and for many applications. Here are just some of the Access Fixtures IP66 fixtures available for purchase.
- DOHU – This is a great little powerhouse of a flood light for use in landscaping and park applications.
- CUDL – CUDL is Access Fixtures’ longest-lasting wall pack (L70 @ 646,000 hours) and comes in a full cutoff design.
- SAFI – A unique fixture, the SAFI 40w barn light or “dusk-to-dawn” fixture comes with a photocell and an optional 12″ mounting arm.
IP67 Fixtures
A fixture rated at IP67 is protected from water immersion between 5.9 inches and 39.37 inches. To pass IP67 testing, the fixture must not permit ingress of harmful quantities of water when fully immersed. There must be at least 5.9 inches of water above the fixture for the test to be valid.
Access Fixtures has many IP67 rated luminaires in many styles and for many applications. Here are just some of the Access Fixtures IP67 fixtures available for purchase.
- OPPE- This bollard light fixture features four 5w chip-on-board LEDs that emit over 2,000 lumens. It is rated
for 50,000 hours and comes with a terrific color rendering index of 80+. - APTA – perfect for sports lighting, horse arena lighting, park and path lighting, playground lighting, and anywhere requiring large amounts of light
- APTI – the APTI is a larger and more powerful version of the APTA. Ideal for professional-level sports and arena lighting.
Speak to an Access Fixtures Lighting Specialist about Choosing the Right Fixture
Access Fixtures is your factory-direct source for all light fixtures needed to suitably illuminate your property. We want to make sure you get the exact fixture for your needs, your budget, and your goals. We are passionate about lighting and love what we do—we’ll get you an answer. To speak with an Access Fixtures lighting specialist, call (800) 468-9925.
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