When you are choosing an underwater light, you will always find that the IP rating will be indicated in the product information. What is an IP rating? Do we have to choose the underwater light with the highest IP rating? If you have no idea about the IP rating, this definitive guide will take you through everything you need to know about IP rating for underwater light products.
The IP rating is a judgment on the ability of mechanical enclosures and electrical enclosures to provide dust, water, intrusion, and accidental contact. The IP rating is an internationally accepted rating standard issued in the European Union by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC).
An IP Rating usually has two numbers: The first number represents the level of protection from solid materials and the second number represents the level of protection from liquids.
From low to high are X, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
X means no data available to develop relevant standards.
The higher the number, the stronger the protection against solid objects.
6 means it is completely sealed and dust cannot enter.
From low to high are X,0,1,2,3,4,5,6K,7,8,9K.
X means no data available to develop relevant standards.
5 means that it can withstand a certain level of water jets in the enclosure.
7 means that it will not leak when immersed in 1-meter deep water for a period of time.
8 means that it can work in an underwater environment for a long time.
9K means that it can protect against high temperatures and high-pressure liquids sprayed at close range.
The following are the IP protection ratings for solid particle and liquid protection capabilities.
This is the first number in the IP protection class.
| Level | Solid size of protection | Judgment criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | — | No protection can be provided, direct contact can be made |
| 1 | >50 mm | Can protect a large area of the human body to its contact, can not block hands, feet and other parts of the contact |
| 2 | >12.5mm | Protects against contact with objects similar to finger size |
| 3 | >2.5mm | Can prevent the entry of screwdriver and other tools |
| 4 | >1mm | Can block most of the specifications of the wire and other small tools to reach, ants can not crawl into |
| 5 | General dustproof ability | Completely isolated from contact, with a certain degree of dustproof ability, more dust will still affect |
| 6 | Completely dustproof | Completely isolated from dust |
This is the second number in the IP protection class.
| Level | Detection method | Judgment criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | — | Unable to prevent liquid immersion |
| 1 | Dripping water | Withstands vertical dripping for 10 minutes at a water volume of 1mm per minute without effect |
| 2 | Dripping water | Withstands tilt 15°s dripping water for 10 minutes at a water volume of 3mm per minute without effect |
| 3 | Spraying water | Within 60° of the vertical line, water pressure 50-150kPa, water volume 10L per minute under pressurized spray test for 10 minutes without effect |
| 4 | Splashing water | Water pressure 50-150kPa at any angle, water volume 10L per minute splash test 10 minutes without impact |
| 5 | Low pressure water column | At a distance of 3 meters from any angle, the water pressure is 30kPa, and the water volume is 12.5L per minute of the water spray test for 3 minutes without impact |
| 6 | High-pressure water jet | At a distance of 3 meters from any angle, the water pressure is 100kPa, and the water volume is 100L per minute of the water spray test for 3 minutes without impact |
| 7 | Within 1 meter of water immersion | Water immersion for 30 minutes can still function normally |
| 8 | Water immersion more than 1 meter | Water immersion for more than 1 hour can function normally |
| 9k | High temperature and high pressure water column | Withstand 2 minutes of close high temperature and high pressure water column impact can still work normally. |
Underwater lights can pass the level 8 liquid protection certification if they are submerged for more than one hour in an environment below 1 meter deep. In the actual product testing process, WAKING conducts a 3-5 hour waterproof test on each batch of products to ensure product quality.
View our production testing process
In daily life, the highest IP rating is IP68. It means that products with this level of protection have good isolation from solid particles and liquids and can be used continuously in underwater environments.
Products with a protection level of IP69K are not necessarily suitable for work environments that require long-term immersion in water, such as swimming pools. IP69K only means that it has strong protection against high temperature and high-pressure liquids sprayed at close range. In some special fields, the protection level is IP69K. For example, some application scenarios in breweries and car washes.
In general, the higher the IP protection level, the stricter the requirements for product design, process, materials, experiments, and manufacturing costs. In everyday life, it is sufficient to select the appropriate degree of protection for the product.
Good water and dust resistance can improve the safety, performance, and service life of underwater lighting equipment.
Safety
If the waterproof performance is not good, the light may enter the water. After a period of use, customers would realize this problem.
Although most of the current LED underwater lights use 12v/24v safe voltage, and the water and electricity mixing will not cause harm, we suggest choosing products with excellent protection.
Performance
The sealing of the light body is poor, and solid particles and liquids will enter the light body, which will affect the lighting effect and lighting brightness. Many lights are difficult to disassemble and the cleaning cost is high. Replace only when it becomes intolerable.
Service life
The lamps with strong sealing can avoid short circuits, burnout, and internal corrosion caused by water ingress. They will work longer and you will spend less time and money replacing them.
Underwater lights with an IP68 rating are the most popular. IP68-grade products can isolate from solid particles and are capable of long-term contact with water. For example swimming pools, ponds, waterfalls, fountains, and spas.
When choosing a product, be sure to confirm the IP rating of the product. Professional certification bodies will issue certificates to certified products, and you can contact the manufacturer to check them.
Material
The common materials of the shell are ABS+UV, and stainless steel 304/316. The commonly used materials for lenses are PC and tempered glass. These materials have good airtightness and durability.
Design and processing
Engineers will design the product according to the product’s requirements for the protection level. Then workers and equipment produce accessories with standard accuracy according to the design drawings. The assembled structure of the shell already has a certain degree of waterproofness.
Light body with resin filled
Some products will fill with resin in the interior of the light source. After these resins solidify, the entire light source is sealed, which is dust-proof and waterproof ability.
VDE waterproof cable
High-quality products will use VDE-certified waterproof cables, which are safer and more durable.
Sealing ring
To improve waterproof performance, we will install high-quality sealing rings at some joints of lights.
Read How Can LED Pool Lights Be Waterproof to learn more.
