P rating
International Protection Rating “, the so-called IP rating.
IP ratings are a standard developed by the IEC organization, where a manufacturer must conduct certain tests before the manufacturer must call his products for water repellent. The two letters are followed by a set of numbers that define the degree of dust and water rejection (eg IP68).
The first figure shows where the dust-repellent (0-6) product turns out to be under test. If there is an X, the product is not tested (FX IPX8).
The classification is used for all types of electronics. A common electrical outlet for indoor use is, for example, IP22.
The IP rating tells us about the ability of the luminaire to withstand water and foreign matter. The first digit denotes resistance to solid foreign matter (dust) and the second digit of water resistance.
Resistant to solid bodies (dust)
Resistance to water
IPX0 No protection against water
IP2X Protected against standard test finger IPX1 Dryt set
IP3X Secured against a 2.5mm steel wire or tool IPX3 Rainproof
IP4X Protected against a 1.0 mm steel wire IPX4 Spray Kit
IP5X Dust Secure IPX5 Sealed
IP6X Dustproof IPX6 Spray Set against Spray (High Pressure)
IPX7 Waterproof (down to 1 meter)
IP20
A standard interior fitting usually has IP class 20. This means that a person should not be able to bump a finger into an existing hole in the luminaire. Otherwise no protection. IP23 Rainproof
When you first take action against water from above, you usually get an IP23. The requirement is that after completion of the test there should be no water on electrical components. IP23 = splashproof ± 60 ° from above. IP44 splashproof
IP3x / -4x means that the luminaire must not have openings where you can insert an object with 2.5 mm / 1.0 mm diameter. The test is carried out with steel wire in real diameter with defined force (3 N / 1 N). IPx4 means that the luminaire must withstand water spray from all sides. Test with standard sprayer. The luminaire is usually not watertight but with a water conductor system that prevents water from reaching electrical parts and ensures that the water is also rendered again.
IP54 / 55 Dust and wipe set
This means that dust can not interfere with electrical components, so that insulation errors may occur. The luminaire must be tight and therefore packing is necessary. Tested in a dust chamber. IPx5 requires resistance to spooling (not high pressure spraying). Higher water pressure and amount require higher packing pressure than IP54. IPx5 is tested with coil hose (6.5 mm nozzle and 12.5 l / min.). Distance 3 m.
IP66 Dust and dirt kit
IP6x is the highest density class for mechanical penetration (objects / dust). No penetration of dust is allowed after completion of the test. The luminaire must be completely tight, even under negative pressure. The packing pressure must therefore be sufficiently high to prevent the leveling of negative pressure. IPx6 is protection against heavy spooling and seawater. These are luminaires, which are often cleaned with high-pressure spools or mounted on ships and exposed directly to waves. In addition to a high packing pressure to ensure dust penetration, mechanical strength is added to ensure that the luminaire does not open due to the high pressure and large amount of water. This applies to both deformation of the screen and the function of closing clips. Test with fire hose (nozzle of 12.5 mm and water volume 100 l / min.). No traces of water are allowed inside the luminaire after completion of the test.
IP67 Dust and waterproof
Same tightness to mechanical penetration as IP66, but should be able to stay close after 30 minutes. at 1 m depth. Mechanically, there are not the same high demands as the IP66, but it must ensure that the luminaire does not collapse at under 1 m depth. NB: IP67 luminaires do not necessarily hold the IP66 test.
IP68 Continuous immersion
Typical areas of use are underwater lighting in swimming pools and interior tank lighting.