If the lights are likely to be cleaned using pressurised jets, they should be rated at IPX5 or above. As IP20 is at the lower end of the scale, it’s designed for less challenging environments, while IP65 is at the higher end of the scale, and can therefore be used in a wider range of applications. Zone 0 indicates an area inside a bath or shower itself (such as tray-level lights in a shower cubicle, or jacuzzi-style lighting in a bath). Fittings and enclosures used in zone 0 must be at least IP67 rated for full immersion, and low-voltage (max 12v). The second digit in an IP rating will be a number between 0-9, denoting the quality of resistance to moisture ingress at varying intensities, angles, depths and pressures of exposure or immersion.

A product with an IP20 rating tells you that it has ingress protection up to 12.5mm against solid bodies such as fingers or dust. However, this rating also signifies that the product is not waterproof, which lets you know that it won’t be suitable for outdoor applications. or X - see section below): Not rated (or no rating supplied) for protection against ingress of this type IP65 offers much greater protection against both solid objects and water ingress. The first digit is a 6, indicating complete protection of the highest level against dust and other fine matter. At a 5, the second digit also indicates a strong level of water protection, establishing that the part or component that has achieved this rating is protected against water jets, spraying water and vertically falling drops. While higher levels of protection are available, they are uncommon for household applications and are only typically necessary for specialised equipment or offshore use. A ‘waterproof’ or ‘weatherproof’ IP rating is one of the most frequent examples people look for in a wide range of everyday products, from mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers to kitchen and bathroom fixtures, lighting setups, CCTV enclosures and more. An IP rating is shorthand for an Ingress Protection mark, sometimes referred to synonymously as an International (or Internal) Protection mark. An IP rating is usually a two-digit grading system that’s applied to the enclosure of a mechanical or electrical item, giving customers a clear indication of the item’s resistance to various types of unwanted intrusion.

There’s a vast range of different IP-rated enclosure types available across all sectors and industries, including a great many options for all manner of electronics and mechanical systems aimed at both home and industrial settings. Instrument cases are usually available in both heavy-duty and more lightweight configurations, depending on the level of protection and portability required. They can be used for anything from outdoor LED power supply casings to industrial camera housings, desktop electronics and measuring/control equipment. IP rated power supply cases Scottish Islands:HS1-9, IV40-51, IV55-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA20, PA30, PA32-34, PA41-49, PA60-78, PH42-44, ZE1-3 The reason for having a universal IP rating system is so that buyers and users can be confident of how safe it is to use certain electrical or mechanical goods in specific environments and applications.

To be specific, an IP20 protection rating indicates that something is resistant to ingress by objects over 12.5mm in length, but offers no water protection whatsoever. It is common to use IP20 fittings for indoor lighting in living rooms and dining rooms, where there is little risk of ingress, but they should not be used for bathrooms because they are not water resistant and may not remain secure against even limited ingress by low-pressure water jets, let alone spray or airborne moisture. They are also unsuitable for outdoor lighting because of the risk of ingress by dirt, organisms and rain. Protection against low-pressure jets (6.3mm) of directed water from any angle (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects) The following are general industry rules of thumb for outdoor lighting, but it’s always wise to seek manufacturer or supplier advice for your specific application scenario before installation: The second digit indicates the level of water protection that a component offers. At the low end of the scale, a 1 means protection from vertically falling water drops, while at the high end, an 8 denotes that a component is resistant to continuous submersion in water, and a 9 means that a part is protected against powerful jets of high-temperature water. What is IP20? Power supply cases generally need to be constructed from robust materials designed to safely and securely house high-voltage components such as transformers, PSUs and other key electrical items. Sizing and configuration will depend entirely on what the individual unit is intended to hold and protect.

Ovation Glass Gobo Holder

Some installations are more challenging than others, and require components with a higher ingress protection rating that are secure from dust, foreign bodies and moisture, while in other cases a part may only need to be resistant to ingress by fingers or other body parts. Once you understand how the ingress protection rating scale works, it is simple to determine the level of protection each part offers.