IP Ratings Explained in Plain English

If you have ever shopped for bathroom lights, outdoor fittings, or commercial electrical equipment, you will have come across IP ratings - numbers like IP44, IP65, or IP67 stamped on the product or listed in the specification. But what do they actually mean, and which rating do you need?

Here is a straightforward guide in plain English.

What Does IP Stand For?

IP stands for Ingress Protection. It is an international standard (IEC 60529) that describes how well an electrical enclosure is protected against two things:

1. Solid objects (dust, fingers, tools)
2. Water (drips, splashes, jets, submersion)

The IP rating is always followed by two digits. The first digit is the solids protection. The second digit is the water protection. A higher number means better protection.

Breaking Down the Numbers

First Digit - Protection Against Solids

• 0: No protection
• 1: Protected against objects larger than 50mm (e.g. a hand)
• 2: Protected against objects larger than 12.5mm (e.g. a finger)
• 3: Protected against objects larger than 2.5mm (e.g. a screwdriver)
• 4: Protected against objects larger than 1mm (e.g. a wire)
• 5: Dust-protected (limited ingress, not enough to interfere with operation)
• 6: Dust-tight (completely sealed against dust)

Second Digit - Protection Against Water

• 0: No protection
• 1: Protected against vertical dripping water
• 2: Protected against dripping water at up to 15° from vertical
• 3: Protected against spraying water up to 60° from vertical
• 4: Protected against splashing water from any direction
• 5: Protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction
• 6: Protected against powerful water jets from any direction
• 7: Protected against temporary submersion (up to 1 metre for 30 minutes)
• 8: Protected against continuous submersion (depth specified by manufacturer)

Common IP Ratings and What They Mean

Where You Need IP-Rated Fittings in Your Home

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are divided into zones, and the minimum IP rating depends on where the fitting is located:

• Zone 0 (inside the bath or shower tray): Minimum IP67 and low voltage (12V) only. In practice, fittings are rarely installed here.
• Zone 1 (directly above the bath or shower up to 2.25m): Minimum IP45, but IP65 is standard practice and widely recommended.
• Zone 2 (extends 0.6m beyond zone 1, and the area above zone 1 up to 3m): Minimum IP44.
• Outside zones (rest of the bathroom): No specific IP requirement, but IP44 is good practice given the moisture levels.

If your bathroom has a power shower or lots of steam, using IP65 across the ceiling is sensible regardless of the zone.

Kitchens

There is no formal zoning system for kitchens in BS 7671, but common sense applies. Fittings directly above the sink, hob, or anywhere likely to be exposed to steam and splashes should be at least IP44. Standard IP20 fittings are fine for the rest of the kitchen.

Outdoors

All outdoor electrical fittings must be appropriately rated for their exposure:

• Sheltered locations (under a porch, covered patio): Minimum IP44
• Exposed locations (open walls, fences, garden): Minimum IP65
• Ground level (recessed drive-over lights, path lights): Minimum IP67
• Underwater (pond lights, pool lights): IP68

Commercial and Industrial

Workplaces have their own requirements depending on the environment:

• Offices: IP20 is fine for most fittings
• Warehouses: IP54 or higher for dust protection
• Workshops: IP54 minimum, IP65 if water or coolant spray is present
• Food preparation areas: IP65 or IP66 for washdown environments
• Car washes and wet environments: IP66 or higher

What Happens If You Use the Wrong Rating?

Using an under-rated fitting in a wet or dusty location can cause:

• Electric shock: Water ingress into an unprotected fitting is a direct shock risk
• Failure and fire: Moisture causes corrosion, short circuits, and overheating
• Failed inspection: An EICR will flag incorrectly rated fittings as C2 (potentially dangerous) observations
• Insurance issues: Fittings installed outside their rated environment may void your insurance in the event of a claim

It is not worth the risk. Always check the IP rating before purchasing, and if in doubt, go higher rather than lower.

Get the Right Fittings Installed

If you are planning bathroom lighting, outdoor fittings, or commercial installations, get in touch for advice on the correct IP ratings for your situation. We supply and install IP-rated fittings as standard and ensure every installation complies with BS 7671. See our sockets, switches and lighting services or commercial electrical services for more detail.