IP65 and IP66 are protection ratings that indicate how well a fixture is protected against dust and water. The first digit represents dust protection, and the second represents water protection. IP65 offers protection against water jets, while IP66 is resistant to powerful water jets. For industrial LED lighting, the difference is crucial for deployment in demanding environments.
The choice between IP65 and IP66 depends on the environment in which the fixture will be used. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about IP ratings, so you know exactly which choice is best for your situation.
What do the two numbers in an IP code mean?
An IP code (Ingress Protection) always consists of two digits, each representing a separate type of protection. The first digit indicates protection against solid particles such as dust, on a scale of 0 to 6. The second digit indicates protection against water, on a scale of 0 to 9.
For example, take a fixture with the designation IP65. The “6” means that the fixture is completely dust-tight — no dust particles can enter. The “5” indicates that the fixture is protected against water jets from any direction, but not against powerful or prolonged exposure to water.
An overview of the most relevant values for industrial applications:
- First digit 5 Dust protection (a limited amount of dust may enter, but it will not cause harm)
- First digit 6: Completely dustproof, not a single speck of dust can penetrate
- Second digit 4: Protection against splashing water from all directions
- Second digit 5: Protection against water jets (low pressure) from any direction
- Second digit 6: Protection against high-pressure water jets from any direction
- Second digit 7: Protection against immersion up to 1 meter deep
- Second digit 8: Protection during prolonged submersion under pressure
For most industrial environments, fixtures with an IP rating of at least IP65 are the standard. You can find more background information on IP and IK ratings at Page about IP and IK rating.
What is the difference between IP65 and IP66?
Both classifications are completely dustproof (rating 6), but they clearly differ in terms of water resistance. IP65 is resistant to low-pressure water jets, while IP66 is resistant to powerful water jets, such as those used in high-pressure cleaning.
In practice, this means that an IP65 fixture will function perfectly in rain or spray, but can be vulnerable when cleaned directly with a high-pressure washer. An IP66 fixture will survive that situation without problems.
Important to know: both classifications are not suitable for immersion in water. IP67 or IP68 are required for this. In environments such as Ports and terminals Where fixtures are regularly exposed to seawater and intensive cleaning, IP66 is the minimum requirement.
When is IP65 sufficient and when is IP66 necessary?
IP65 is sufficient in environments where water occurs only in the form of rain, condensation, or light splashing. As soon as there is a risk of direct, high-pressure water jets, intensive cleaning, or prolonged exposure to large amounts of water from multiple directions, IP66 is the better choice.
A practical rule of thumb: if the fixture is ever cleaned with a high-pressure washer, IP66 is the minimum choice. The same applies to locations where production machinery is rinsed, where chemicals are washed off, or where the fixture is hung close to washing facilities.
Situations where IP65 is generally sufficient:
- Covered production halls with limited moisture load
- Outdoor lighting for locations without intensive cleaning
- Warehouses and logistics centers with normal humidity
- Workshops without direct water exposure
Situations requiring IP66 or higher:
- Environments where high-pressure cleaning takes place
- Harbors, terminals, and shipyards
- Food industry and wash bays
- Offshore platforms and maritime environments
- Heavy industry with intensive rinsing processes
What other factors determine the suitability of industrial LED lighting?
The IP rating is an essential selection criterion, but certainly not the only one. In industrial environments, temperature resistance, impact resistance (IK rating), corrosion resistance, and explosion safety (ATEX) also play a decisive role in choosing the right luminaire.
Temperature resistance is particularly relevant in environments with extreme heat or cold. In steel mills, luminaires can be exposed to temperatures well above 100 degrees Celsius, while climate chambers require operation at temperatures far below zero. A luminaire with a high IP rating but insufficient thermal resistance will still fail. More on this can be read on the page about High-temperature lighting.
The IK rating indicates how well a luminaire resists mechanical impacts and vibrations. In environments with heavy equipment, cranes, or machine vibrations, a high IK value is at least as important as the IP rating.
Corrosion resistance is a separate consideration for environments with sea air, chemicals, or aggressive gases. A standard aluminum fixture with IP66 can still degrade quickly in such environments. Stainless steel housings or special coatings are then necessary. On the page about lighting for extreme corrosion more information about these specific circumstances.
How do you read an IP rating on a fixture?
An IP certification can be found on the luminaire's type plate, in the product documentation, or on the manufacturer's certificate. The designation always consists of the letters “IP” followed by two digits, sometimes supplemented by a letter for additional protection features.
When reading an IP certification, pay attention to the following points:
- Check the full designation: Ensure both numbers are legible. An indication such as “IPX5” means that dust protection has not been tested or is not applicable.
- Request for the test report: A reputable manufacturer provides a test report from an accredited testing institute with a certified product. This confirms that the IP rating has actually been tested and not just stated.
- Check the test conditions: IP ratings are tested under standardized conditions. In practice, factors such as aged seals, damaged cable glands, or incorrect installation can reduce the degree of protection.
- Please note additional classifications Besides the IP code, luminaires can also have ATEX certification for explosive atmospheres, or an IK rating for impact resistance. These are separate from the IP classification, but are just as relevant in many industrial environments.
- Compare with the environmental requirements: Always match the IP rating to the actual environmental conditions, not just the minimum standard. In demanding environments, it's wise to choose a higher IP rating than strictly necessary.
Examples from practice: DFDS Terminal Lighting
A good example of how IP classification works in practice is the project for DFDS, a major player in European Ro-Ro transport. At the terminal, trucks, trailers, and heavy vehicles are loaded and unloaded daily, creating an environment with significant mechanical stress, constant exposure to sea air, and intensive cleaning routines.
The technical challenge lay in combining sufficient lighting levels for safe work on the site with fixtures that could withstand the harsh environmental conditions. High-pressure cleaning of the site and vehicles occurs regularly, which immediately ruled out IP65 as an option. Fixtures with a minimum IP66 rating were chosen, combined with a high IK rating due to the mechanical vibrations and impacts that are unavoidable at an active terminal.
An important aspect during this project was ease of maintenance: luminaires in a busy terminal must last a long time without interim replacement, as downtime is costly. The choice for robust, certified luminaires with proven IP66 protection proved to be decisive in this regard. The lesson this project confirms directly aligns with the topic of this article: a higher IP rating than strictly required is ultimately the cheapest option. More similar projects can be found at projects page.
How JEL Products Helps with IP Classification and Lighting Selection
Choosing the right IP rating isn’t always easy, especially in complex industrial environments where multiple factors come into play at the same time. JEL Products helps organizations select lighting solutions that precisely meet the requirements of the environment, including the appropriate degree of protection.
What JEL Products offers here:
- Technical advice based on specific environmental conditions, from IP rating to temperature resistance and corrosion resistance
- A wide range of industrial LED fixtures with certified IP ratings, tested by accredited institutions
- Guidance through the entire lighting project: from design and selection to installation and maintenance
- Specialist knowledge of extreme environments, including steel mills, ports, offshore platforms, climate chambers, and ATEX zones
Do you want to know which IP rating best suits your situation? Get in touch Contact the specialists at JEL Products for concrete, no-obligation advice.
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