All about IP rating

IP stands for "Ingress Protection" or "International Protection" and is a standardized rating that indicates how well a device is protected against solid particles and liquids. The IP rating is indicated by the letters 'IP' followed by two digits. The first digit indicates the protection against solid substances (such as dust). The second digit indicates the protection against liquids (such as water). The higher the ratings, the better the protection. To be complete, the standards are listed by digit in the table below. 

IP rating with the letter K has been tested under conditions specific to road vehicles. IP69K is therefore better than IP69 when it comes to vehicle lighting.

The ideal IP rating for lighting on your vehicle depends on the use and the environmental conditions. Here are some recommendations:

• Lighting on the front of a vehicle bears the hardest brunt. Driving through puddles and mud can be compared to the force of a water jet from a pressure washer. Lights mounted on the grille therefore need high IP rating.

• If taillights are mounted right behind the wheels, they suffer from water jets. Therefore, choose lights with a higher IP rating.

• If a vehicle is cleaned with a high-pressure cleaner, the lamps need the highest IP rating.

• Interior lighting is usually not exposed to extreme conditions such as high-pressure cleaning and dust clouds. A lower IP value may be sufficient, for example IP67.