The IP65 means the degree of protection against accidental contact and ingress of dust along with water jets from any direction.
Here, “IP” stands for Ingress Protection, and the digits “65” describe the exact degree of protection against contact and the ingress of foreign bodies as well as water.
You may have seen IP ratings such as IP 65 on lights and other electrical equipment. Ever wondered what this IP65 rating is for? In this article, we will discuss, What does IP65 mean in lighting? And things you need to know about IP 65 rating to choose the appropriate lights and lighting fixtures for home and outdoor.
First of all, let’s know what is ip65 rating?
What is IP65?
The IP65 marking is an indication of the degree of protection of an electrical device. You can find these on many LED lights and other electrical devices.
The symbol IP is an abbreviation for Ingress Protection like other IP ratings and the following digits 65 describe the exact degree of protection.
The first number stands for protection against contact and foreign bodies. The second digit describes the liquid ingress protection.
IP65 meaning
| Indicators | Protection against contact | Protection against foreign bodies | Protection against water |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st digit: 6 | Complete protection against accidental contact | Protection against ingress of dust (dust-tight) | – |
| 2nd digit: 5 | – | – | Protection against water jets from any direction |
The Ingress Protection rating is internationally standardized and ensures that lights and other electrical devices do not pose any risk.
What does IP65 mean in lighting?
The first digit of a light or light fixture with an IP rating IP65 means that it is completely protected against contact and against the ingress of dust.
The second digit of the IP code denotes the protection of the light against water jets from all directions.
An IP 65 light and lighting fixture must comply with certain regulations so that they can be labeled with protection class IP65.
Is IP65 waterproof?
An IP65 rating means that an enclosure is protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction, but it is not fully waterproof.
IP65 is not waterproof. IP65 devices are protected against water jets from any angle, but DO NOT submerge in water."
It is designed to withstand being sprayed with water from any angle, but it is not meant to be submerged in water.
For example, a lamp with an IP rating of IP 65 may be hosed down with a garden hose. However, it must not be submerged.
If you need an enclosure that is fully waterproof, you should look for an enclosure with a higher IP rating, such as IP66 or IP67. These ratings indicate that the enclosure is fully protected against dust and can withstand being submerged in water for a short period of time.
Is IP65 rainproof?
IP65 lights are protected against water jets and are, therefore ideal for outdoor use. Rain falls at a mild pressure, therefore the IP65 rating is sufficient to keep lights or electrical equipment safe.
Is IP65 suitable for rain?
An IP65-rated enclosure should be able to withstand low-pressure jets of water, so it should be able to handle rain.
Yes, the IP65 rating is suitable for rain.
However, it’s important to note that the rating only applies to the enclosure itself, not to the electronics or components inside. If the electronics inside the enclosure are not designed to withstand moisture, they may still be damaged by rain even if the enclosure has an IP65 rating.
It’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s specifications and guidelines to determine whether a particular device is suitable for use in wet or outdoor environments.
While IP44 rated lights or enclosures should only be attached directly to the house wall or under a roof, IP65 lamps can also be used outdoors when it rains.
Where are IP65 rated lights suitable?
For which installation locations and environments are IP65 rated lights suitable?
Thanks to the water jet protection from any direction, the lights or lighting fixtures are often suitable for outdoors or for damp rooms.
Where exactly the protection class IP 65 may be used always depends on the exact installation location.
Is ip65 suitable for outdoor use?
Can IP65 lights be used outside?
Lighting fixtures with IP65 protection can be installed in various places outdoors or in the garden.
The lamps are protected against rain thanks to the protection against water jets from all directions. Thanks to the dust-tightness, no insects can get into the interior of the luminaire and contaminate or damage it.
There is a large number of IP 65 lights and fixtures for outdoor use on the market. The selection ranges from classic LED outdoor wall lights to outdoor spotlights to path lights.
IP65 is waterproof but partially
Especially when using in-ground lights, it should be noted that IP65 outdoor lights are not completely waterproof. If the luminaire can be temporarily underwater at the place of use, protection class IP67 is required.
Is IP65 enough for rain?
Yes, an IP65-rated light should generally be suitable for use in conditions where it may be subjected to rain, as it can handle water jets from all directions.
Is IP65 OK for bathroom?
It is generally not recommended to use electrical devices with an IP65 rating in a bathroom because the rating only indicates that the device is protected against dust and low-pressure jets of water.
IP65 unsuitable for immersion water
A bathroom environment presents more demanding conditions, including high humidity, steam, and potentially more significant water exposure.
For this reason, it is typically recommended to use electrical devices that have a higher level of protection, such as those with an IP rating of 67 or higher, in a bathroom setting.
It’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s specifications and guidelines to determine whether a particular device is suitable for use in a bathroom or other wet environment.
IP65 bathroom lights may really only be used above the shower and bathtub. If these are temporarily underwater, the lights must be protected against submersion water (IP67).
Can IP65 be used in a shower?
With IP65 downlights, you can install entire light protection over your shower or bath without fear of any potential safety hazards (such as electrocution)
Which is better IP65 or IP66?
Both the IP65 and IP66 ratings give good protection against solid ingress from dust, dirt, and debris. The fundamental distinction between IP65 and IP66 classifications is their level of protection against liquid ingress. An IP66 enclosure can withstand substantially more pressured water spray from larger nozzles and at higher kPa ratings.
How strong is IP65?
An IP65 rated fixture is resistant to multi-directional, low-pressure water jets. Fixtures must be able to withstand water projected by a 0.25-inch nozzle in order to pass testing and acquire an IP65 rating.
Is ip65 explosion proof?
Explosion proof and ingress protection (IP) ratings are two different types of ratings that are used to evaluate the safety and performance of electrical equipment.
An explosion proof rating indicates that a device or enclosure is designed to contain an explosion that occurs within it and prevent the ignition of a flammable atmosphere outside of the device.
Therefore, an IP65-rated device is not necessarily explosion proof. To determine if a device is suitable for use in a hazardous location, you would need to look for a specific explosion proof rating, such as ATEX or Class I Division 2, rather than just an IP rating.
Is IP65 fire rated?
Ip65 rating does not provide any information about the device’s fire resistance or fire rating.
Fire ratings are used to evaluate the performance of a device or material in a fire. They are typically expressed as a measure of the amount of time that the device or material can withstand exposure to a fire before it fails or collapses.
To determine the fire resistance of an electrical device, you would need to look for specific fire ratings, such as UL 94, UL 10C, or UL 263, rather than just an IP rating.
Is IP65 suitable for winter?
IP65 rated fixture should be able to withstand the cold and wet conditions of winter.
However, it’s important to note that the IP65 rating only applies to the enclosure itself, not to the electronics or components inside. If the electronics inside the enclosure are not designed to withstand cold temperatures, they may still be damaged by the winter weather even if the enclosure has an IP65 rating.
Is IP65 vapour proof?
An IP65-rated enclosure may provide some level of protection against vapours or gases, depending on the specific characteristics of the vapours and the construction of the enclosure. However, it is not specifically designed or tested for this purpose.
Vapour proof refers to a device or enclosure that is designed to prevent the passage of vapours or gases. Vapour proof devices are typically used in applications where there is a risk of hazardous gases or vapours being present, such as in a chemical processing plant or a gas station.
If you need a device that is resistant to vapours or gases, you should look for a device with a specific vapour proof rating
Is IP65 better than IP44?
IP65 is generally considered to be a higher level of protection than IP44.
A device with an IP44 rating is protected against solid objects larger than 1 millimeter (such as tools and wires) and is also protected against splashing water.
An IP65-rated device provides a higher level of protection against dust and water. It is dust tight and protected against low-pressure jets of water from all directions.
Therefore, an IP65-rated device would offer more protection against the intrusion of dust and water than an IP44-rated device.
Conclusion
Lights or lighting fixtures with an IP65 rating are protected against contact and dust-tight. Furthermore, they are resistant to water jets from any direction. With this very high level of protection, IP65 lights are a good choice for many installation locations in damp rooms or outdoors.
