IP Ratings Explained: Choosing the Right Waterproof Bulkhead Lights

Are you having a hard time finding an LED Bulkhead with the right IP Rating for your needs? You’re not alone, as IP Ratings can be very hard to read and understand without prior knowledge on the matter. Typically, there are 3 IP Ratings you’ll encounter:

• IP65
• IP66
• IP67

There are many more out there, but they’re usually restricted to other lighting solutions. Here at LEDSAVE, we’re experts in everything related to LED lighting. If you want to learn more about choosing the right IP Rating for your needs, please keep reading. 

What Are IP Ratings?

In a nutshell, IP Ratings are meant to indicate how well an electrical enclosure can withstand certain elements like dust, or high and low-pressure water sprays, as well as corrosives. The first number is for solids, and the second for liquids. Here’s some additional information you’ll find useful in your search for the right LED Bulkhead. 

How to Read an IP Rating

The higher the number goes in an IP rating, the better protected it is against different elements. To explain this in more depth, here’s what each number means:

Solids (left number):

• 0: Not rated for protection.
• 1: Protection against solid objects over 50mm, but not against deliberate contact.
• 2 Protection against solid objects over 12mm.
• 3: Protection against solid objects over 2.5mm.
• 4: Protection against solid objects over 1mm.
• 5 Partial protection against dust and small particles.
• 6 Full protection against dust and small particles.

Liquids (right number):

• 0: Not rated for protection.
• 1: Protection against vertical water droplets.
• 2: Protection against water droplets tilted at 15 degrees.
• 3: Protection against moisture sprays up to 60 degree angles.
• 4: Protection against splashing water from any direction for up to 10 minutes.
• 5: Protection against low-pressure jets of water.
• 6: Protection against high-pressure jets of water (100 litres per minute) at a distance of 3mm for 15 minutes.
• 7: Protection against full immersion up to 1mm in depth for 30 minutes.
• 8: Protection against full immersion up to 1 metre or more in depth for more than 30 minutes.

For most purposes, IP68 Rating is overkill. You’ll probably need something much lower unless your operations involve intense processes. 

Why Are IP Ratings Important in LED Bulkheads?

Getting the right IP Rating for your LED Bulkheads is critical. This will ensure that they stay working in optimal condition and last as long as they’re rated to. Some regulations in the UK require a specific IP Rating depending on where your LED Bulkheads are installed. Please take those into consideration. 

If you’re using your LED Bulkheads in a warehouse, you’ll want to get a lighting solution that has, at least, an IP65 rating. This will ensure your LED Bulkhead is dust tight, preventing unecessary repairs and maintenance in the long run.

Common IP Ratings

The most common IP ratings in LED Bulkheads are IP65, and IP66. You might find some products that go up to IP67, but given how niche their applications are, they’re usually not easy to find. 

The most readily available variant is the IP65. This should be more than enough unless you’re planning to use your LED Bulkheads near high-pressure water jets. 

Choose Your IP Rating According to Your Needs

Now that you’re familiar with the different IP Ratings, it’s important that you consider the operations of your warehouse or office spaces to ensure you’re making the right purchase. Here are some additional things to take into account. 

Location, Location, Location

If you’re installing your LED Bulkheads indoors where there’s little to no chance of dust or water getting to them, there’s really no need to look for an IP-Rated product. 

Even if you’re using your lights in a warehouse, if there’s no chance of water or corrosives getting to them, an IP65-Rated product will be more than enough. On the other hand, if you’re planning on having high-pressure water jets near your LED Bulkheads, an IP66 variant is the way to go. 

Consider Exposure to Chemicals

As stated earlier, there are certain LED Bulkhead lights that, on top of being dust tight and waterproof, are also non-corrosive. However, these are rare, as you’ll typically want to have a different lighting solution near chemicals anyway. 

On the off-chance that you’re still choosing LED Bulkheads for this purpose, try to keep them away from the chemicals as much as possible. This will ensure they last a long time and work as intended. 

IK Impact Ratings

Many LED light solutions also come with IK Impact ratings, which also represent their level of protection, but in a different way. These typically go from 00, which is no protection, to 10, which represents protection against 20 joules. This can be compared to a 5kg mass dropped from 400mm (40 cm) onto an object’s surface. 

Since LED Bulkheads are typically placed on the ceiling or high on the walls, it’s not common to have objects dropped on them. However, if there’s a ton of movement of heavy objects in your warehouse, such as long metal ladders, you might want to consider looking into this as well. 

LED Bulkheads are meant to last a long time, and, as opposed to fluorescent alternatives, they require zero maintenance. Spending a little extra on shielding them from accidents and the elements can go a long way in guaranteeing their lifespan. 

Getting the Right IP Rating for Your LED Bulkheads

Hopefully now you feel more confident about the IP Rating that you need for your LED Bulkheads and your spaces. This can go both ways, as spending extra money on an IP Rating that’s overkill for your purposes is just as bad as underestimating your spaces’ daily conditions.

Remember, if there will be a lot of dust near your LED Bulkhead lights and low-pressure water sprays, an IP65-Rated product will suffice. But if you’re planning on installing your lighting source near chemicals or where high-pressure water jets can reach them, you’ll have to go higher. 

If you have any questions regarding our products, please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@ledsave.co.uk, or give us a ring at 01652 638840. We’re open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Please check out our contact page for more information.