What is the difference between IP65, IP67, and IP68 ratings?

IP ratings are used to define how well an electrical product is protected against solids (such as dust) and liquids (like water).  An IP rating refers to the level of ingress protection a product has.  Understanding these ratings is essential when you are looking to purchase lighting for outdoors or within wet environments.

An IP rating consists of two numbers:

• The first digit (which will be between 0–6) indicates protection against solid objects.
• The second digit (which will be between 0–9) indicates protection against liquids.

For most lighting applications you should focus on the second digit to determine the level of waterproof protection a light has.  It is very rare for a waterproof light to have a lower digit than 6 for the first number.  It is also worth noting that if you see a rating such as “IP6X” the X means that the rating is currently undefined.

IP65

IP65 rated products are dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets coming from any direction.  This makes them suitable for outdoor use where exposure to rain or splashes is expected such as garden lighting or outdoor walls.

IP67

IP67 products are also dust-tight but they offer a higher level of water protection.  They are able to withstand temporary immersion in water up to 1 metre for a short period of time.  This means that they are suitable for areas where occasional submersion may occur such as lights installed near ground level or in an area prone to flooding.

IP68

IP68 is the highest commonly used IP rating for lighting.  These products are designed for continuous immersion in water up to 1.5m up to 30 minutes.  This may vary depending on the manufacturer so should always check the manufacturer specifications of the light to confirm this. This rating is ideal for applications such as pond lighting or fully exposed outdoor installations.

It’s also important to ensure that all components with the lighting system are IP rated as well.  This could be connectors or LED drivers.  The IP rating should be advised on the manufacturer specifications in the same way it is with the lights.

After reading this FAQ you will now see that IP65, IP67, and IP68 represent increasing levels of water protection.  Selecting the correct rating ensures your lighting remains safe, durable, and runs as expected.

Below is a rough guide of which rating to choose for which environment:

• Use IP65 for general outdoor exposure.
• Use IP67 where water contact is more likely.
• Use IP68 for submerged or extreme conditions.