The IP and IK ratings tell how well a luminaire used outdoors will withstand water, dust and impact. We explain what the codes mean and which is needed in which application.
A facade luminaire is exposed to rain, dust, heat and cold for years. People step on a luminaire recessed into the ground, water collects around it, and vehicles may even drive over it. Two short codes tell how well it will withstand these conditions: IP and IK.
IP (Ingress Protection) is the code defined in the IEC 60529 standard that shows how well a device is protected against solid objects and water. Each of the two digits after IP has its own meaning:
| Rating | Meaning | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| IP65 | Dust-tight; resistant to water jets from any direction | Facade and eave soffit applications exposed to rain |
| IP66 | Dust-tight; resistant to powerful water jets | Areas with heavy rainfall or that are washed down |
| IP67 | Dust-tight; resistant to temporary immersion up to 1 meter | Places where puddles may form and that may be briefly under water |
| IP68 | Dust-tight; resistant to continuous immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer | In-ground luminaires, pools and water features |
The IP rating is not only about the luminaire housing. Cable entries and connectors must provide the same protection; the weakest link in the chain is usually the connection point.
The IK code shows a device’s resistance to mechanical impacts according to the IEC 62262 standard. On the scale from IK00 to IK10, the highest rating, IK10, means resistance to a 20-joule impact; this is equivalent to a 5-kilogram mass falling from a height of 40 centimeters.
| Rating | Impact energy |
|---|---|
| IK07 | 2 joules |
| IK08 | 5 joules |
| IK09 | 10 joules |
| IK10 | 20 joules |
A high IK rating should be sought wherever a luminaire may be struck, such as squares with pedestrian traffic, parks, stairs and in-ground applications.
IP and IK values are a starting point. For a long life outdoors, the thickness of the glass and whether it is tempered, the resistance of the gaskets to UV rays and temperature changes, and the housing material and surface finish matter at least as much as these codes.
Our in-ground luminaires (the TRI and ING families of ColloRado and MiniRado) are made with IP68 water and dust protection, IK10 impact resistance and 6 mm tempered glass. Our pixel-controlled linear luminaires such as MidiPix and our PixiDot point luminaire also have IP68 and IK10 ratings. You can find each product’s protection rating in the technical information on its product page.
We can evaluate together the right protection rating and mounting details for your installation site.
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