Understanding IP Ratings: Choosing the Right Waterproof LED Strip Lights
It is important to understand waterproof IP ratings for LED strip lights for any lighting project that one might undertake. IP is an abbreviation of Ingress Protection and the rating in essence determines how well a given product is protected from being infiltrated by either solids such as dust and debris or liquids such as water or oil. Generally, IP ratings help consumers choose products that are suitable for a given environment.
LED light strips within the context of IP ratings are produced under different IP rating categories and therefore IP ratings should be taken under consideration when one sets out to buy LED strip lights. Even within waterproof LED strip lights, there are various waterproof categories and hence it is crucial for those intending to buy LED strip lights to know which IP rating would best suit the intended purpose of the LED strip lights that they intend to buy.
To put it simply, having a clear perspective about the various IP ratings is a critical factor that would allow one to make the right purchase and ensure the safety of the environment when using LED strip lights and related products regardless if it is for outdoor applications or indoor applications.
IP Rating Explained
The Ingress Protection rating system was established by the IEC (International Electro-technical Commission) and in general provides an indication of the level that a given piece of equipment is protected from the ingress of liquids and solid particles. In other words, the IP rating dictates the effectiveness of the protective enclosures of electrical components and devices from the ingress of foreign objects.
Note that IP ratings are presented with two numbers after the IP (e.g. IP68), the first number refers to the level of dust protection or solid particles which ranges from 0 to 6, whereas the second number refers to water or moisture resistance which ranges from 0 to 8. Generally, the higher the numbers the better the protection which means that IP68 would be the highest protection level there is.
IP Ratings for LED Strip Lights
When it comes to LED strip lights the ratings range significantly from indoor strips to outdoor waterproof LED strip lights, and due to this, we will only examine five of the most common waterproof ratings for LED strips which are presented below:
1. IP20 – Low level of protection of solids and zero protection against moisture (suitable for indoors)
2. IP54 – High level of protection against solid particles and protected against splashing water (suitable for some outdoor applications)
3. IP65 – Complete protection from dust particles and jetting water (suitable for most outdoor led strip light applications)
4. IP67 and IP68 – Complete protection from dust particles and protected from long periods of immersion in water (suitable for all outdoor applications)
The above rating guide should be adequate enough information for most beginners to make informed buying decisions based on how and where they plan to use the LED strip lights. For indoors an IP20 rating is sufficient, however for outdoors, a certain level of waterproofing would be required.