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    IP Protection in Lighting Fixtures

    Lighting fixtures must have various protection levels in order to provide a long-lasting and safe use indoors and outdoors. These protection levels are very important in outdoor, industrial facilities, areas exposed to water or dust. At this point, we have prepared the content of “IP Protection in Lighting Fixtures” to guide you. By reviewing the content, you can have the necessary information. We wish you a good day and pleasant reading.

    What is IP Rating?

    When it comes to “What is IP rating?”, we can say that it is the protection capability of a luminaire against solids and liquids. In this context, protection levels in led and other lighting fixtures can be coded in different ways. By looking at these codes, you can find options to be used indoors and in other areas. 

    The IP rating is also the standard for how resistant LED or other lighting fixtures are to solid objects and water. By providing a standardized measure around the world, everyone is able to buy appropriate and functional lighting based on these standards.

    IP degrees of protection are expressed in 2 numbers. The first of these two-digit numbers indicates the degree of IP protection against solid objects. The second number gives information about the IP protection levels against liquids. You can follow the solid object protection and liquid protection values by looking at them.   

    Why IP Protection Rating is Important in Lighting Fixtures?

    • It allows you to choose the IP protection feature suitable for the place you will use.
    • It helps you get efficiency from lighting in ambient conditions.
    • Instead of buying higher cost lighting, it allows you to buy enough luminaires to do the job. 
    • It helps you pay less for maintenance and replacement costs. 
    • It prevents a place from having a continuous lighting problem. By selecting IP protection levels suitable for the environment, continuous water and dust ingress into the lighting is also prevented.
    • You can ensure the security of the environment from lighting.  
    • It makes electrical installations safer and longer lasting. 
    • It helps you to choose luminaires suitable for humid and dusty environments. 
    • It ensures that you do not experience constant malfunctions in the electrical system.

    Understanding IP Ratings

    You do not need to be an expert in this field to have information about IP ratings. With a few information you will have, you can choose led lighting and luminaires suitable for environments. In this context, you can enjoy the time in your backyard or balcony. 

    If you want to understand IP ratings, the first step is defined as solid object protection. For this reason, permeability and protection values are determined according to the specific size of dust, dirt, mud, mud, dirt, solid objects. Secondly, it is called liquid protection levels. Thanks to these liquid protection levels, water, liquid objects, rain, mud, oil, chemicals, etc. The degree of prevention of the entry of liquids from the surface into the lighting is determined.

    First Step Solid Object Protection

    The first digit indicating solid object protection is expressed in numbers ranging from 0 to 6. The number 0 is designated as unprotected. The higher the number, the higher the level of protection. The first digit values in the IP protection class table are as follows;

    Step Solid Protection Level
    0There is no protection and it is not protected against contact.
    1Objects larger than 50 mm are not allowed to pass. 
    2Objects larger than 12.5 mm are not allowed to pass. 
    3Objects larger than 2.5 mm are not allowed to pass.
    4Objects larger than 1 mm are not allowed to pass.
    5It has dust protection feature and limited dust entry.
    6It is dustproof and dust does not enter. 

    Dust ingress is not possible in protection ratings such as IP69, IP67, IP68. If the lighting fixtures in IP protection class have IP00 code, they do not have protection against solids and liquids. 

    Second Step Liquid Protection

    The second step refers to liquid protection within the IP protection table. It indicates the adequacy of electrical devices, luminaires and lighting for use in humid and watery environments. You can analyze what kind of products you should use in humid, watery and rainy environments by looking at these second step liquid protection values. 

    Step Liquid Protection Level
    0There is no protection against water.
    1There is protection for dripping water and vertically falling water drops. 
    2It has protection against water dripping obliquely and water falling up to 15 degrees vertically.
    3It has water spray and water protection sprayed at an angle up to 60 degrees.
    4Splash water protection from all directions.
    5There is water protection sprayed in the form of water jets.
    6It has protection from high pressure water jets. 
    7Short-term immersion protection up to 1 meter.
    8It has continuous immersion and immersion protection of more than 1 meter.
    9High pressure and high temperature water protection.

    What Are the Different IP Rating Levels in Lighting Fixtures?

    IP ratings, also known as ingress protection ratings, have different IP protection levels. These ratings, which offer a combination of solid object protection and liquid protection, are very important for outdoor lighting. It also refers to resistance to harsh and watery weather conditions in pools, gardens and various outdoor spaces. 

    When making a choice, the IP class protection table will guide you in many ways. While ensuring environmental safety, it also ensures that the maintenance costs you will have to undertake in the future are proportional to the failure. It is advantageous in many ways not to buy products without examining the IP protection table.

    IP Protection in Lighting Fixtures

    There are some IP protection classes that are commonly used outdoors, in different areas and in humid environments. These are mostly IP protection levels IP45, IP69, IP67, IP00, IP68, IP44, IP20 and IP55. These codes, which the consumer tends to buy, also indicate the degree of usefulness. You can familiarize yourself with them to ensure electrical safety and prevent lighting from malfunctioning;

    • IP69: It has maximum solid object proofing and high pressure and high temperature liquid protection. 
    • IP67: It is dustproof and protected against the effects of immersion in water. Short-term immersion protection up to 1 meter.
    • IP00: No liquid protection and no dust protection against solid objects.
    • IP68: It is protected against continuous immersion in water and immersion of more than 1 meter and is dust-proof.
    • IP44: Protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm. Protected against liquids splashing from all directions. 
    • IP20: Solid objects larger than 12.5 mm are not allowed to pass through. However, the product does not have a liquid protection feature.
    • IP55: It has limited dust ingress and provides protection against spraying and gushing liquids in the form of water jets. 

    Using this information as a guide before purchasing lighting fixtures will enable you to find affordable products that provide a high level of safety and protection. 

    How Waterproof IP Ratings are Tested and Assigned for Lighting Fixtures

    It is possible for a tool or lighting fixture to be tested and made more robust with IP ratings. If you are looking for luminaires that can withstand all weather conditions, are resistant to pressure and do not cause problems in the environment you use, you should pay attention to IP protection levels. Especially before buying ratings such as IP69, IP20 and IP55, evaluation should be made against solid objects and water. While making this evaluation, IEC standards should be paid attention to and tested to determine ingress protection, i.e. IP protection levels. It is important that the tests are consistent with each other and ensure reliability. 

    The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards seek compliance with IEC 60529 procedures. According to these procedures, a 3-stage entry test is performed. Dust ingress test, pressure test and water ingress test are performed in different stages. 

    Testing Process of IP Ratings

    The testing process of IP ratings is completed in the same way for every luminaire and device. After these tests, which measure resistance to heat, temperature, dust, water, liquid and pressure and inform about permeability, the luminaire is given the appropriate IP protection rating. To mention these tests;

    • Dust entry test: The resistance of the luminaire to dust particles of different sizes is evaluated. A dust chamber is used to ensure this.
    • Pressure testing: The changes that the luminaire and led lighting undergo during the stage when it is exposed to pressure and external factors while under water are observed. 
    • Water intake test: The permeability of water, rain and liquids is tested with various techniques. While testing methods such as immersion and spraying, the level of water filling into the armature is measured. 

    Assignment of IP Ratings

    The IP rating is assigned according to the results of the dust ingress test, pressure test and water ingress test. This rating is assigned by independent organizations or manufacturers. Luminaires that pass both tests receive the title of waterproof and dustproof. Products with advanced protection such as IP68 and IP69K, especially suitable for use in difficult conditions, in water and outdoors, are produced. It helps to design safe lighting fixtures even at high temperature and pressure such as IP69.

    Can Devices with a High IP Rating Really Be Used in Any Environment?

    A high IP rating allows the user to use the same luminaire in different areas. However, although devices with a high IP rating are suitable for use in any environment, they are costly. Because as the IP rating increases, the labor, product quality, cost, security and many variables spent for that product increase with the price. Lighting that you will not use in water and that will work for you in indoor garden-style places does not need to have a high liquid protection feature. Even if you are looking for liquid protection feature in such products, you may have to pay more in future problems and maintenance costs. 

    Devices with a high IP rating can be used in contact with liquid or in humid environments. The protection feature provides functionality in luminaires in this area. This issue is entirely up to your savings and you can choose according to your budget. You can choose lighting fixtures and led lighting with low IP rating in places where there is a serious risk of dust and dirt.

    IP Degree Selection by Field

    Since the first number indicates solid object protection and the second number indicates protection against liquids, you should be careful when choosing the IP rating according to the area. IP67, IP68, IP69 are quite functional outdoors. At this degree, electrical safety can be ensured even against sea waves. These can be used primarily in places where liquid and moisture passage is easy. 

    How IP Ratings Affect Product Performance

    Having information about IP protection class data before purchasing a product allows you to make an accurate decision. IP protection ratings are extremely functional in order to get the maximum benefit from the product you buy after shopping. This classification, known as ingress protection, provides better performance in every product you buy. For example; Choosing a product with these features in an area where liquid and moisture will not pass through prevents you from reducing costs in the long run. For this reason, order by determining which special needs it will meet in the area you will buy. If the luminaire will not be exposed to dust or water, do not pay more and strain your budget. In the future, you may need to get help from the staff for problems or malfunctions in the luminaire. This increases the cost of lighting. Even if the cost increases, it does not affect safety and performance.  

    IP54, IP55, IP56, IP57, IP58 can be preferred for devices and lighting fixtures to be used in liquid and humid environments. These codes extend the service life of the product and make it work better. IP55, IP54, IP53, IP64, IP63, IP65 can be preferred if there is no danger of moisture and liquid in outdoor areas where dust and dirt are dense. Although IP68 rating provides more protection in these areas, it will unnecessarily increase the cost. Determine the indoor and outdoor usage area for the efficiency of the devices. After evaluating the environmental factors, evaluate the long-term benefits of the purchase.  

    If you want to have indoor lighting fixtures with appropriate IP protection values, you can contact Licalux's expert team. In this way, you can have the right lighting opportunity.

    FAQ

    Do IP ratings indicate protection against water and dust?

    The IP rating consists of a two-digit code. The first digit stands for solid object penetration and the second digit for liquid penetration. This determines the degree of protection against water and dust.

    Do higher IP ratings guarantee full waterproofing?

    If the second digit of the IP values is high, it ensures water resistance. However, there is no value range that guarantees 100% water resistance.

    Do protection levels range from IP00 to IP69K?

    IP protection levels start from zero for both digits and refer to being unprotected. For solid object protection, a value between 0-6 is determined, while liquid protection is evaluated between 0-9. While IP00 refers to unprotected luminaires, the product at IP69K level is also resistant to high pressure and temperatures.

    Does the first digit in the IP rating indicate protection against liquid?

    The IP rating is two-digit, with the first digit indicating solid object protection. The second digit indicates protection against liquids.

    Are IP67 certified devices resistant to immersion in water up to 1 meter deep?

    Resistant to dust and immersion in water up to 1 meter deep. However, the length of time the device is exposed to water affects this durability.

    When assigning IP ratings, is there a need for a test requirement?

    IP Pressure test, liquid penetration test and dust penetration test are mandatory for rating assignment. The product cannot receive an IP rating until these tests are passed.

    Is lighting with a high IP rating resistant to all environmental conditions?

    No device and lighting fixture is resistant to all environmental conditions. It ensures long life of the product. Although it prevents the passage of dust and liquid, it is not possible to talk about resistance to all environmental conditions. IP69K, even with a high IP rating, can withstand high temperature and pressure.

    Is IP68-rated lighting resistant to damage caused by prolonged exposure to water?

    They perform better than others in areas with humidity and prolonged exposure to water. Factors such as exposure time and mechanical stress can be taken into account to make a definite conclusion about durability.

    Do higher IP ratings guarantee full waterproofing?

    The higher the IP values, the better protection is provided in lighting fixtures. However, in order to talk about full liquid protection, this must be ensured under all conditions. In order to guarantee complete waterproofing, it must continue to be waterproof under pressure and high temperature.

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