IP Ratings – The definitive guide

When you look at the description or specification of a piece of electrical or electronic equipment you will quite often find that an IP Rating is quoted. It consists of the letters IP and a two digit number. IP simply stands for “Ingress Protection” and the number indicates the degree of protection that has been provided to the item of equipment.

The reason why IP Ratings exist is basically twofold. First and foremost is the safety of persons using or coming into contact with the equipment. The most obvious example here is protection against the ingress of water. Everyone knows that water and high voltage electricity are a very dangerous combination so any electrical equipment used in a wet environment needs to be well sealed to keep its electrical parts dry. The second issue is the life expectancy of the equipment itself. Using the same example, it won’t work for long if water can get into it.

Of course water is not the only thing that needs to be kept out of electrical devices. Casings or enclosures need to be sealed against intrusion by tools and fingers as well as keeping out dust and foreign bodies of all kinds.

International Standard

IP ratings are internationally recognized and are defined by International Standard EN60529 (British BS EN60529:1992, European IEC 60509:1989), so the numbers that follow the letters IP, mean the same everywhere. The meaning assigned to each digit is quite specific.

Digit 1

The first digit deals with both the level of protection afforded to people from moving parts and the degree of protection for the equipment inside from foreign bodies.

<td width=”67″ valign=”top”1st Digit

Protection against solid objects

O

Not protected

1

Protected against solid objects greater than 50mm (e.g. hands)

2

Protected against solid objects greater than 12mm (e.g. fingers)

3

Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm (e.g. tools)

4

Protected against solid objects greater than 1mm (e.g. wires)

5

Protected against dust (where there is sufficient amount to interfere with teh satisfactory operation of the equipment)

6

Total protection against dust

X

Indicates that protection against solid objects is not defined

Digit 2

The second digit refers to the level of protection provided against various degrees of moisture such as drips, submersion in water, sprays and so on.

2nd Digit

Protection against liquids

0

Not protected

1

Protected against dripping water greater than 50mm (drip proof)

2

Protected against dripping water when titled up to 15°

3

Protected against spraying water (rain proof)

4

Protected against splashing water (splash proof)

5

Protected against water jets from any direction (jet proof)

6

Protected against heavy seas

7

Protected against the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m

8

Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure

Bathroom Zones are dictated by IP ratings

For most of us the IP ratings of lighting equipment take on the greatest degree of relevance when we are considering the purchase of lighting for either outdoor situations or in bathrooms, where moisture is the great enemy. Bathrooms are actually divided into zones for electrical safety purposes. Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower cubicle and requires at least IP67 and must be low voltage. Zone 1 covers an area up to 2.25 metres above the bath and requires IP44 plus an RCD device if mains voltage. Further from likely contact with water is Zone 2 where IP44 is the minimum rating allowed. Beyond that is Zone 3 or Outside Zones where an IP rating is not normally required. For a more in-depth look at this topic take a look at our Bathroom Zones – what can go where guide.

Suggestions

Lyco always quotes IP ratings on all relevant products and you can check these against the above chart to confirm the suitability for the particular location. Let’s take a look at some examples.

The Carina is a 28W flush fitting ceiling or wall light, which is ideal for basic bathroom lighting and is rated at IP44. The first figure 4 means that it is protected against intrusion by solid objects bigger than 1mm such as fine tools and obviously, fingers. The second figure 4 refers to moisture protection and tells you that it is protected against water spray from any direction which is why it is suitable for general bathroom lighting. It’s ideal for stairwells and corridors too using low energy bulbs for economy.

If you need something even better protected for somewhere like a swimming pool or outdoor car park you should consider the 5ft Twin T8 Weatherproof Fluorescent Fittings  with its sealed casing rated IP65.  That’s 6 because it is totally dust tight and the 5 means it’s protected against low pressure water jets from any direction.

Ground lights in drives and pathways may need to withstand weight as well as getting submerged in water from time to time. The Albany Submersible Ground Light fulfils these requirements admirably. Its rating of IP68 means that it is dust tight and is protected against continuous total immersion in water which also makes it ideal for use in water features.

Whatever your particular requirements, check them against the chart to make sure you get the right IP rating for the job. That way you and your customers will be safe and you’ll get the best life out of the products you choose.

Looking for more news, information or inspiration? Try our Lighting Advice section.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

Swimming pool lights – underwater lighting improved

swimming pool lights

Things to ponder before buying

There are various things you need to think about before you get down to the nitty-gritty of buying swimming pool lights. One of the first things that should cross your mind is what type of use your pool will get; is it a place intended primarily for fitness, where customers or family members will swim regularly, or is it more of a relaxation area? These purposes need not be mutually exclusive, but the bias may help you decide what type of lighting you’ll buy.

Safety considerations are also bound to come into play. What type of peripheral lighting is best, and if you’re buying for a commercial swimming pool or spa, are there any legal requirements to be met? The shape and size of the pool will also play a part in the amount of lights you buy, and what colour light they emit. Having pondered all of these things, you can cast any idea of hard and fast rules aside! There are effective ways to light a pool, and there are ways to stay safe, but there is also a significant element of subjectivity—how do you want your pool to look?

Does the size of the pool affect your choice of lighting?

To some extent, yes, if you’re buying for a large public swimming baths or a fitness centre there will be a requirement for high levels of uniformity along the length of the pool, which often means multiple lights with a white output. However, for small to medium-sized pools more commonly installed at homes, hotels, and spas, a single light is frequently enough to illuminate the whole pool.

The light is usually recessed and wall-mounted at the deep end of the pool, which enables a more even spread of light. Placing a light at the centre of a pool typically creates a triangular effect with darkened corners, so this will only usually be done if further lights are to be installed.

It’s worth bearing in mind that coloured lights do not have the same coverage though water as a white light, which is why white lights are always preferred in scenarios where safety considerations dominate, e.g. a public swimming baths. The travel of light through water even varies between colours. The surface colour of the pool is another factor in the effectiveness of your selected lights, with paler colours reflecting the light and increasing its range. Dark surfaces will conversely absorb light, which may result in you requiring more lights to achieve your aims!

Are there any health and safety requirements to consider when lighting a swimming pool?

There are no specific laws pertaining to swimming pool health and safety, other than an obligation to comply with legislation under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

One useful resource from the non-departmental Health and Safety Executive makes several references to pool lighting, and is available in the form of a free download: Managing health and safety in swimming pools.

What types of lamp have traditionally been used in swimming baths and pools?

Incandescent and halogen lights were always the traditional choice of underwater lamp in public swimming baths and pools, and they’re still available. Their advantages mostly lie in being inexpensive, and in delivering a consistent output of light through their whole lifespan.

Halogen lights are the bright underwater pool light that many people remember and expect in a swimming pool, and they’re great for their ‘continuous spectrum’, which makes them reliable for rendition of colour (a property of all forms of incandescent light).

Modern-day swimming pool lights — the advantages

There are a couple of contemporary solutions to swimming pool lighting: fibre optic and LED.

Fibre optic lights can create great colour-changing effects in a pool or spa, and they are easy to install and maintain. However, their vibrant glow is often considered too weak for anything other than decorational mood lighting, and their initial cost is greater than LED.

LED lights are generally between 70-90% more energy efficient than original incandescent and halogen light forms, and, significantly in pool lighting, they last for a near eternity! An incandescent lamp might only have a lifespan of 1,000 hours, or 2,000 hours for halogen, whereas LEDs tend to boast longevity of between 20,000 to 50,000 hours.

An estimate of potential savings in running LED pool lights against a halogen equivalent would work out approximately as follows:

  • 18W LED @ 10 hours a day for 1 year = £9.85
  • 100W halogen @ 10 hours a day for 1 year = £54.75
  • 300W halogen @ 10 hours a day for 1 year = £164.25

(Rate based on 15 pence per kWh)

Aside from the great money-saving potential of installing LEDs, one of the other great advantages lies in the flexibility they allow in design. In swimming pool lights this tends to manifest itself in a wide choice of vivid colours and effects, with built in micro-controllers endlessly blending individual red, green, and blue LEDs in more sophisticated models.

Colour changing swimming pool lightYour pool can be simply lit with a bright white light, or for easy creation of ambience you might opt for the soothing effect of a lamp. But if you’re looking to put on more of a show, your underwater lights can be imbued with an ever-shifting rainbow of colours using various styles of transition. Other spectacular pool lights ideas include:

 

  • A Slow-fading 18W LED PAR56 Swimming Pool Light that gradually cycles through colour using RGB LEDs.
  • A Switch-start 18W LED PAR56 Swimming Pool Light that enables you to pre-set colour output from its light switch.
  • A Remote-controlled 18W LED PAR56 Swimming Pool Light that enables complete mobile control of the pool’s colour.

IP Ratings

Of particular relevance to swimming pool lights is the Ingress Protection Rating, which is published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and is universally used to classify and rate the degree of protection offered by an electrical enclosure against solid objects (including dust) and water.

The IP rating uses 2 figures, the first of which ranges from 0 to 6 and refers to the level of protection against ingress of solid objects. The ultimate ‘6’ rating is indicative of a completely dust-tight housing. For pool lighting the second number is more significant, which ranges from 0 to 8 and refers to protection against ingress of water. An IPX3 rating is considered to be the minimal requirement for outdoor lighting, whilst underwater lights usually require an IPX8 rating for submersion at an unrestricted depth.

Lighting around the pool

There are countless lighting possibilities beside or above a pool. One possible choice for overhead lighting is the Fireguard LED6 Dimmable Spotlight, which is ideal for creating mood in conjunction with a dimmer switch. A great source of general lighting, the Fireguard is IP65 rated and is fire-rated to preserve the integrity of the ceiling in the event of a fire.

Poolside lighting can increase ambience in spa or hotel pools, so products such as Deltech’s LED Flexi Strip allow you to get creative! This strip of LEDs is orderable in 5-metre lengths and can be installed around the perimeter of a pool for both ornamental and safety purposes. You can choose from white, blue, purple, or RGB colour-switching flexistrips.

Walkover lights also have an infinite amount of potential around the pool. They can be fitted into surrounding areas of decking, or even in the pool itself. Walkover lights are often submersible to various degrees. LED lends itself particularly well to this type of light, since it allows extremely small designs and is naturally vibration proof and shockproof.

Swimming Pool LightsLyco are able to offer suitable walkover lights in the form of the Garland LED Walkover Lights, which can be used around the edges of a swimming pool or to highlight water features. These are also a great idea for decking and shallow (1m max) submersion in a pool.

A final benefit in installing LED lights around the pool is their lack of attraction for insects and bugs. Because they produce vastly less heat than incandescent or halogen light sources, and don’t have the UV output that’s inherent in fluorescent lighting, LED lights are an entomological wasteland!

Looking for more news, inspiration and advice? Try our Lighting Advice section.

andrew-author-bio

Andrew Evangelidis Head of Buying

Andrew is an experienced buying professional who takes an entrepreneurial approach to identify new lighting solutions and ensure Lyco have first-to-market ranges for our customers. Having previously worked for well known brands such as Wickes, Carphone Warehouse and Toys R Us, Andrew has now turned his hand to sourcing commercial lighting and ensure our customers receive top brand quality products at marketing leading prices. He manages a team of commercial and decorative buyers who travel the world finding new products that our customers don’t even know they need yet.