Outdoor Lighting and IP Ratings Explained
Outdoor lights face rain, dust and changing temperatures, so each one is made for a certain kind of spot. The IP rating on the product page tells you which spots a light is made for. Here is how to read it and where each rating belongs.
What the two numbers mean
An IP (Ingress Protection) rating has two digits. The first is protection against solid objects and dust; the second is protection against water. The higher each number, the more protection.
First digit: solids and dust
- 2: keeps out fingers and objects larger than 12.5 mm.
- 4: keeps out objects larger than 1 mm, such as small wires and tools.
- 5: dust protected. Some dust may enter, but not enough to affect the light.
- 6: dust tight.
Second digit: water
- 0: no protection against water.
- 4: protected against splashing water from any direction.
- 5: protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction.
- 6: protected against powerful water jets.
- 7: protected against temporary immersion, up to 1 m for 30 minutes.
So IP44 means protected from objects over 1 mm and from splashing water, and IP65 means dust tight and protected from water jets.
Which rating for which spot
IP20: indoors only
Most indoor lights are IP20 or have no IP rating. Keep them in dry rooms and away from steam and splashes.
IP44: sheltered outdoor spots
IP44 lights handle splashes and blown rain, so they belong where a roof or overhang keeps off most of the weather: a covered porch, under deep eaves, a covered patio or a balcony with a roof above. The Wexley lantern and Cylora cylinder light are IP44 and suit spots like these.
IP65: open walls and gardens
IP65 lights are dust tight and handle rain from any direction, so they can go on walls with no cover: beside a garage door, on a garden wall, along a side path. The Torrey lantern, Dualume up and down light, Arcwell arc light and Delaney wall light are all IP65.
IP67 and above: ground level
Lights that sit low in planted beds or along paths can end up in standing water after heavy rain. For these spots, look for IP67 or higher, and check the product page for how the light should be installed.
US location ratings: damp and wet
In the US you may also see lights described as "damp location" or "wet location". Damp location lights are for covered outdoor areas, much like IP44. Wet location lights are for places where rain can fall on them directly, much like IP65. When a product page gives an IP rating, use the guide above.
Solar lights
Solar lights need direct sun on the panel to charge. Place them, or their separate panel, where they get sun for most of the day, away from the shade of trees, walls and roof overhangs. Fewer hours of sun mean shorter run times at night, especially in winter.
A few installation tips
- Mount wall lights the right way up. Many have a top cap and drip edges that only shed water when they face the right way.
- Hardwired outdoor lights should be installed by a licensed electrician, following your local electrical code.
- Check the Specifications table on each product page for the IP rating, socket type and whether a bulb is included.
Questions about a particular spot? Email us at support@lumorahearth.com with a photo and we'll help.