Every luminaire we sell carries an IP rating — two digits that describe how well the housing keeps out solids and water. Getting this wrong is the most common and most expensive lighting mistake, because a fixture that fails outdoors is rarely covered by warranty.
Reading the two digits
The first digit covers solid objects and dust, on a scale of 0 to 6. The second covers water, on a scale of 0 to 9. Higher is more protected.
IP20 — dry indoor use only
Protected against fingers, not against water. Fine for living rooms, bedrooms, offices and any covered indoor space. Never install IP20 outdoors, in a bathroom zone or in an unheated garage where condensation forms.
IP44 and IP54 — splashes and dust
Tolerates water from any direction and limited dust. This is the minimum for bathrooms outside the immediate shower zone, and for covered outdoor areas like a porch or carport.
IP65 — dust tight, water jets
Fully sealed against dust and protected against jets of water. This is the standard for genuinely exposed outdoor use: facades, garden lighting, car parks. All of our floodlights are IP65 or better.
IP67 and IP68 — immersion
IP67 survives temporary immersion; IP68 handles continuous submersion. You need these for ground-recessed fixtures, pool lighting and sauna strips.
Quick rule
Indoors dry: IP20. Bathroom or covered outdoors: IP44 or higher. Fully exposed outdoors: IP65 or higher. Underwater or in ground: IP67 or IP68. The IP rating of every product is listed in its specification table and available as a filter on our collection pages.