What Does IP Mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. It is an international standard used to describe how well a product is protected against the intrusion of solid objects and liquids.
An IP rating is made of two numbers. The first number refers to protection against solids such as dust, sand, dirt, and debris. The second number refers to protection against liquids and moisture.
First Number
Protection Against Solids
Rated from 0 to 6, this number indicates how well the fixture is protected from dust, debris, and physical contact.
Second Number
Protection Against Liquids
Rated from 0 to 8, this number indicates protection from moisture, water jets, immersion, or continuous submersion.
IP65, IP67, and IP68: What’s the Difference?
These ratings may look similar, but the difference is important when choosing fixtures for outdoor or wet-location applications.
Choosing the Right IP Rating
The right IP rating depends on where the fixture will be installed and how much exposure it will have to dust, water, debris, and physical contact.
Lower IP ratings may be suitable for:
- Indoor architectural lighting
- Dry environments
- Fixtures protected inside enclosed signage
- Installations inside millwork or aluminum extrusions
Higher IP ratings are recommended for:
- Outdoor architectural lighting
- Landscape and façade applications
- Inground fixtures
- Heavy rain, splash, or wet locations
- Water features and underwater lighting
In architectural lighting, durability is part of the design. A fixture must not only look right on day one, but continue performing reliably in the environment where it is installed.
Why It Matters
For exterior lighting projects, the IP rating directly affects safety, maintenance, and long-term visual performance. From IP65 façade lighting to IP68 underwater fixtures, cBright provides lighting solutions engineered for demanding architectural environments.
