Short answer: An IP rating tells you how well a light is sealed against solids and water. The first digit is protection against solid objects and dust, and the second is protection against water. IP20 is for dry areas only, IP44 is protected against splashing water and is the minimum for bathroom zones 1 and 2, IP65 is dust tight and protected against water jets, and IP67 is protected against temporary immersion. The higher the second digit, the more water the light has been tested against.
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The ratings come from the international standard IEC 60529, and you will see them on everything from LED strip and drivers to bathroom mirrors and downlights. This guide explains what the numbers mean, which rating suits which place, and which Sensio products carry each rating. Bathroom and mains electrical work must always be carried out by a qualified electrician.
How to read an IP rating
Every IP rating has two digits. Read them separately.
| Digit | First digit: solids and dust | Second digit: water |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | No protection |
| 1 | Objects over 50mm, such as the back of a hand | Dripping water falling straight down |
| 2 | Objects over 12.5mm, such as fingers | Dripping water when tilted up to 15 degrees |
| 3 | Objects over 2.5mm, such as tools | Spraying water |
| 4 | Objects over 1mm, such as wires and small screws | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Dust protected | Water jets from any direction |
| 6 | Dust tight | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Not used | Temporary immersion, tested at up to 1m for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Not used | Continuous immersion beyond 1m, to conditions set by the maker |
An X in place of a digit, as in IPX4, means that part was not tested. IPX4 tells you the product is protected against splashing water, but says nothing about solids.
Common IP ratings for lighting
| Rating | What it means | Typical use | Sensio examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Keeps out fingers. No protection against water. | Dry areas: kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, shelves, living rooms | Polar X LED strip, Zella profile, Ray kit |
| IP44 | Keeps out objects over 1mm. Protected against splashing water. | The minimum for bathroom zones 1 and 2. Common on bathroom fittings and drivers in zone 2. | LED bathroom mirrors and mirror cabinets, bathroom ceiling and wall lights, the Titan IP44 driver |
| IPX4 | Protected against splashing water. Solids not tested. | Bathroom fittings where only water protection is stated | Rubi and Remy bathroom extractor fans |
| IP45 | Keeps out objects over 1mm. Protected against water jets. | Bathroom fittings that may get more than splashes | Drax and Layci bathroom extractor fans, rated for zone 2 |
| IP65 | Dust tight. Protected against water jets from any direction. | Above or near a shower, splashbacks, places that are wiped down often | Polar X IP65 strip, TrioTone IP65 Fire Rated Downlight, Elena downlight |
| IP67 | Dust tight. Protected against temporary immersion. | Places where a light could end up under water, such as bathroom zone 0, which also needs low voltage (12V max) | Sensio does not sell IP67 strip |
For a closer look at two of the most common choices, read IP44 vs IP65 bathroom lights and IP65 vs IP67 LED strip.
IP ratings and bathroom zones
In a bathroom, the zone decides the minimum IP rating. The UK wiring regulations (BS 7671) set three zones, explained in full in our bathroom zones and IP ratings guide:
- Zone 0 is inside the bath, shower or wet room zone. It needs at least IP67 and low voltage (12V max).
- Zone 1 is up to 2250mm above the bath or shower. It needs at least IP44, and 240V fittings need a 30mA RCD.
- Zone 2 is the 600mm band outside a bath, shower, sink or water outlet. It needs at least IP44.
- Outside the zones, the general rules of BS 7671 apply.
Zones are harder to judge in walk-in showers, wet rooms and under sloping ceilings, so let your electrician confirm them on site.
Sensio examples by rating
IP20: dry areas
Most LED strip and profiles are made for dry areas inside furniture. Polar X, our free-cut COB strip, is IP20 for dry areas, and the Zella profile and Ray kit are also rated IP20. For bathrooms and other damp areas, use Polar X IP65 instead.
IP44: mirrors, bathroom lights and drivers
Our mains powered LED bathroom mirrors and mirror cabinets are IP44 rated for zone 2. Our battery mirrors, such as Lustro and Lumino, are IP44 rated too. Bathroom ceiling and wall lights such as Zephira, Auralis and Manon are IP44 rated for zone 2.
Drivers have IP ratings as well. The Titan IP44 Bathroom LED Driver is a 24V, 30W driver rated IP44. It can go in zone 2, but not in zone 0 or zone 1, and it comes with an IP44 connection ready to plug and play with Sensio 24V lights.
IP65: near the shower and wet areas
Polar X IP65 is our waterproof free-cut COB strip, in natural white (4000K). It is suitable for bathroom zones 1 and 2, provided the connections are sealed and the driver is fitted outside zone 1 (zone 2 is fine, for example the Titan IP44 driver). If you cut it, reseal the cut end or fit an end cap to keep the IP65 rating. It is the strip in our IP65 waterproof LED strip lights range, and Radiant X and Radiant Pro are also listed as IP65 in their specifications.
For ceilings, the TrioTone IP65 Fire Rated Downlight, Pure TrioTone Dual Power IP65 Downlight and Elena TrioTone downlight are IP65 rated for kitchen and bathroom use in zones 1 and 2.
See everything in our IP rated lighting collection.
IP ratings in kitchens and the rest of the home
- Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and shelves: these are dry areas, so a standard IP20 strip in a profile is the usual choice. See which LED strip is best for a kitchen.
- Splashbacks and near the sink: where the light could be splashed or wiped down often, IP65 gives extra protection. Keep the connections and driver away from the wet area.
- Living rooms and bedrooms: IP20 is fine away from water.
An IP rating only holds if the whole run is sealed
The rating applies to the product as it is tested. On site, the weak points are the cut ends, the joins and the driver. Fit end caps or reseal cut ends, seal any connections in a wet area, and check where the driver is allowed to go. A waterproof strip in zone 1 still needs its driver fitted outside zone 1.
Sensio lighting is backed by our 7 year guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
What does IP stand for?
Ingress Protection. It is a two digit code from the international standard IEC 60529 that shows how well a product is sealed against solids and water.
What does IP44 mean?
The first 4 means protected against solid objects over 1mm. The second 4 means protected against splashing water from any direction. IP44 is the minimum for bathroom zones 1 and 2.
Is IP65 waterproof?
IP65 is dust tight and protected against water jets from any direction, so it copes with splashes, steam and shower spray. It is not tested for being under water. That is what IP67 is tested for.
What does the X in IPX4 mean?
It means the product was not tested for solids. IPX4 only tells you it is protected against splashing water.
What IP rating do I need in a bathroom?
At least IP44 in zones 1 and 2, and at least IP67 with low voltage (12V max) in zone 0. Many people choose IP65 above or near a shower for extra protection. Your electrician should confirm the zones on site.
Is a higher IP rating always better?
Not always. Choose the rating the location needs. A higher rating gives more protection, but in a bathroom the zone rules also cover voltage, RCD protection and where the driver can go.
Do LED drivers have IP ratings?
Yes. The driver has its own rating and its own rules about where it can sit. The Titan IP44 driver can go in bathroom zone 2, but not in zone 0 or zone 1.
Not sure which rating you need? Contact our technical team.
