If you have ever browsed a lighting product page and noticed codes like IP65, IP66, or IP67 listed in the specifications, you may have skimmed right past them. Most people do, until a fixture fails six months after installation because it was not rated for the environment it was placed in. IP rating in led lightings are one of the most misunderstood and most important specifications in commercial and industrial LED lighting. Getting this one detail wrong can mean water-damaged fixtures, premature failures, safety hazards, and costly replacements that could have been entirely avoided. Getting it right means your investment lasts for 50,000+ hours as intended.
This guide explains exactly what IP ratings in LED lighitng mean, how to read them, which IP rating is right for various environment. What buyer of outdoor or industrial LED lighting in Canada should learn this before specifying a single fixture.
IP stands for (Ingress Protection) ratings. It is an internationally standardized classification system defined by the IEC 60529 standard, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission. The rating tells you, in a testable, verified, and consistent way, how well an electrical enclosure (such as an LED fixture housing) resists the entry of solid particles and liquids.
Unlike vague marketing terms such as “weatherproof,” “waterproof,” or “dustproof,” an IP rating is not a claim. It is the result of controlled laboratory testing against defined pass/fail criteria. When a light fixture carries an IP65 rating, it has been tested and proven to meet the IP65 standard, no interpretation required.
You will see IP ratings listed on a wide range of products from Faraday Lighting’s catalogue, including LED wall packs, LED high bay fixtures, LED flood lights, and garage and canopy fixtures. Understanding what those ratings mean is the first step in specifying the right lighting fixture for your project.
Every IP rating follows the format “IP” followed by two digits, for example IP65. Each digit carries a specific, independent meaning.
The first digit ranges from 0 to 6 and describes how well the enclosure resists the ingress of solid objects, from large foreign bodies all the way down to fine dust.
| First Digit | Protection Level |
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protected against objects larger than 50 mm (e.g., a hand) |
| 2 | Protected against objects larger than 12.5 mm (e.g., fingers) |
| 3 | Protected against objects larger than 2.5 mm (e.g., tools, thick wires) |
| 4 | Protected against objects larger than 1 mm (e.g., thin wires, screws) |
| 5 | Dust protected, limited ingress, no harmful deposit |
| 6 | Dust-tight, complete protection, zero ingress under vacuum test |
For commercial and industrial LED fixtures, a first digit of 6 is the standard you want. It means the fixture is fully sealed against dust, critical in warehouses, manufacturing floors, woodworking shops, and outdoor environments where airborne particles are a constant presence.
The second digit ranges from 0 to 9 (with 9K as an additional classification) and describes the degree of protection against moisture, from simple drips to high-pressure steam jets.
| Second Digit | Protection Level |
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protected against vertically dripping water |
| 2 | Protected against dripping water up to a 15° tilt |
| 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 immersion (up to 1 m for 30 minutes) |
| 8 | Protected against continuous immersion beyond 1 m (manufacturer-specified) |
| 9K | Protected against high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns |
So when you see IP65, the 6 means fully dust-tight, and the 5 means it can handle low-pressure water jets from any angle, including rain. When you see IP66, the 6 means fully dust-tight, and the 6 means it can handle powerful, high-pressure water jets. When you see IP67, the 7 means it can survive temporary submersion in water up to one metre deep for 30 minutes.
IP20 fixtures are protected against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm but have no liquid protection whatsoever. These are appropriate only for completely dry, climate-controlled indoor spaces such as office ceiling fixtures, retail floor areas, and meeting rooms. You will find IP20 ratings on many LED troffers and flat panel lights used in office buildings and schools.
IP44 provides protection against solid objects larger than 1 mm and against water splashing from any direction. This is the minimum standard for bathroom fixtures, commercial kitchens at a distance from direct spray, and similar damp indoor environments.
IP54 is dust-protected (not fully dust-tight) and splash-proof. It is a common rating for fixtures in lightly industrial indoor settings or covered outdoor areas that see minimal direct weather exposure.
IP65 is fully dust-tight and resistant to low-pressure water jets from any direction. For the vast majority of outdoor commercial and industrial lighting applications across Canada, wall-mounted exterior fixtures, building facades, parking lot perimeters, covered canopies, and standard outdoor walkways, IP65 is the widely accepted minimum specification.
It handles rain confidently. It handles condensation, humidity, and typical Canadian winter conditions. What it does not handle is high-pressure washing or submersion. Faraday Lighting’s LED wall packs are IP65 rated, making them well-suited for building perimeters, loading docks, and commercial entrances across Ontario.
IP66 steps up from IP65 by providing resistance to powerful water jets, the kind generated by a standard industrial pressure washer or a fire hose. The dust protection remains at the same complete level (first digit 6).
IP66 is the right specification when fixtures will be cleaned with pressure washers, when they are located in areas exposed to wind-driven rain at high velocity, or when they are installed in industrial environments where hose-down cleaning is routine. Faraday’s flood lights and many of their high bay fixtures carry IP66 ratings for exactly this reason, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and heavy industrial facilities demand it.
An important and commonly misunderstood point: a higher second digit does not always mean “better” in an absolute sense. IP67 is not automatically superior to IP66 for all applications. IP67 is designed to resist static water pressure during immersion, not the dynamic pressure of a powerful jet. For a wall-mounted fixture in a facility that gets pressure-washed regularly, IP66 is actually the more appropriate specification.
IP67 fixtures can survive being submerged in water up to one metre deep for up to 30 minutes. This rating is appropriate for in-ground or recessed fixtures, deck lights, fixtures at ground level in areas prone to pooling or flooding, and lighting in outdoor environments near water bodies. For most above-ground Canadian commercial applications, IP67 is not necessary; IP65 or IP66 covers the real-world exposure.
IP68 is designed for fixtures that will be permanently or continuously submerged, such as underwater pool lighting, marine applications, and subterranean installations. The specific depth and duration tolerance is set by the manufacturer. This rating is rarely relevant for standard commercial or industrial LED lighting.
IP69K is the most demanding standard, designed for environments where fixtures must withstand steam cleaning and high-pressure hot water jets, typical in food processing facilities, abattoirs, breweries, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. If your facility uses daily sanitation protocols involving steam or high-pressure cleaning above 80°C, IP69K is the specification to look for.
Knowing the rating system is one thing. Knowing which rating to specify for your specific environment is what actually matters on a project. Here is a practical breakdown by the most common Canadian commercial and industrial settings.
Most standard warehouse environments need IP65 for general area lighting and IP66 if the facility uses high-pressure cleaning equipment in any area. Faraday’s LED high bay are available in IP65 and IP66 variants, covering both scenarios. The vapour-proof VPHB2 linear high bay series goes further, rated for environments from –40°C to 40°C, important for facilities in Ontario with unheated or semi-heated bays.
IP65 is the standard for wall packs, shoebox fixtures, and area lights on building exteriors and surface parking lots. Canadian weather, freezing rain, heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycling, is well within IP65 tolerance. For coastal or very exposed sites, IP66 adds a useful margin. Faraday’s garage and canopy fixtures carry IP65 ratings and are designed specifically for this environment.
Parking garages introduce additional demands: fixtures mounted at low heights, exposure to road salt spray from vehicles, and potential flooding in below-grade levels. IP65 minimum, IP66 preferred for general garage fixtures. For any fixtures at or near ground level in below-grade levels, IP67 provides useful protection against water pooling.
Manufacturing environments vary widely. Light assembly lines in clean, dry facilities may only need IP54 or IP65. Heavy manufacturing, metal fabrication, foundries, and facilities with cutting fluid spray or chemical misting require IP66 as a minimum. Faraday’s linear LED fixtures and high bay range are available in IP65 and IP66 configurations to suit these environments.
Food processing facilities where daily washdown with pressure water is standard procedure need IP66 or IP69K depending on the pressure and temperature involved. General commercial kitchen overhead lighting is typically specified at IP65 for areas away from direct spray and IP66 for areas directly above prep surfaces or dishwashing stations. For full sanitation zones with steam and high-pressure cleaning, IP69K is required.
Car wash facilities represent one of the most demanding environments for lighting: continuous high-pressure water, chemical cleaning agents, and high humidity. IP66 is the minimum for car wash bay lighting, with many specifiers opting for IP67 or IP69K depending on the proximity of fixtures to the wash area.
Outdoor sports lighting on poles, floodlights for fields and courts, and arena exterior lighting are all typically specified at IP65 or IP66. The key additional consideration here is IK rating (impact resistance), a separate standard covering protection against mechanical impact. For arena and sports applications, pairing a high IP rating with a strong IK rating (IK08 or IK10) ensures fixtures survive both weather and incidental physical impacts.
Cold storage environments present a unique challenge: fixtures must operate reliably at sub-zero temperatures and survive condensation when doors are opened and closed repeatedly.
Temperature-rated LED fixtures with IP65 or IP66 ratings and a cold-temperature operating specification are required. Standard fixtures not rated for low ambient temperatures will fail. Faraday’s vapour-tight high bay series is rated to –40°C, making it appropriate for cold chain logistics facilities and refrigerated warehouses.
Beyond protecting against immediate failure, the right IP rating has a direct relationship to long-term LED performance and energy efficiency. Moisture ingress, even minor, gradual seepage, degrades LED driver components, accelerates lumen depreciation, and can cause premature failure of the LED array itself. Dust accumulation on optical surfaces in under-rated fixtures progressively reduces light output over time, meaning you lose lumens and efficiency without any visible outward sign of failure.
Specifying the correct IP rating for an environment is not just about protecting the fixture. It is about protecting the investment, ensuring that the energy efficiency gains, the reduced maintenance costs, and the payback period calculations you built your business case around actually hold up over the fixture’s rated life.
If you are planning a commercial or industrial lighting upgrade and want to ensure every fixture is correctly specified for your environment, Faraday Lighting’s free facility audit service includes a full assessment of fixture specifications, including IP ratings, matched to the actual conditions in each area of your facility.
One practical note for Ontario commercial and industrial facility operators: the Save on Energy Lighting Instant Discount Program, administered through IESO, requires that fixtures meet certain performance specifications to qualify for rebates.
DLC Premium certification (which Faraday Lighting products carry across their commercial lines) is the primary qualification standard, but correct IP specification is also relevant, undersized or incorrectly specified fixtures that fail early can affect rebate eligibility and project warranties.
Faraday Lighting’s rebate management service handles the full rebate application process, including confirming fixture eligibility, completing paperwork, and maximizing the incentive amount for your project.
| Environment | Recommended IP Rating |
| Dry office, retail, school interior | IP20 |
| Bathroom, commercial kitchen (general) | IP44–IP54 |
| Covered outdoor, canopy, car park entrance | IP65 |
| Exposed outdoor, building exterior, parking lot | IP65 |
| Industrial facility (dry, dusty) | IP65 |
| Industrial facility (wet, hose-down) | IP66 |
| Wind-driven rain, coastal exposure | IP66 |
| Underground parking, ground-level outdoor | IP66–IP67 |
| Cold storage, refrigerated warehouse | IP65–IP66 + cold-rated |
| Food processing (pressure washdown) | IP66–IP69K |
| Car wash bays | IP66–IP67 |
| Submerged / pool / fountain | IP68 |
| Steam and hot pressure washdown | IP69K |
IP ratings are not a detail to skim past in a product specification sheet. They are a fundamental design parameter that determines whether your lighting investment will perform as expected over its full rated lifespan or fail prematurely due to a mismatch between the fixture and its environment.
Match the IP rating to real conditions: dust levels, water exposure (rain, splash, jets, immersion), cleaning methods, and operating temperature. Avoid over-specifying (IP68 vs IP65 adds cost without value) and under-specifying (IP44 outdoors leads to higher replacement and maintenance costs).
For commercial and industrial projects in Ontario, Faraday Lighting’s product range covers the full spectrum of IP requirements, from IP65 wall packs and exterior fixtures through to IP66-rated high bays and vapour-tight linear fixtures for demanding industrial environments. Their turnkey lighting solutions service includes engineering-level fixture specification, ensuring every area of your facility gets the right fixture with the right IP rating for its specific conditions.
Not sure which IP rating you need for your facility? Request a free lighting audit and Faraday Lighting’s team will assess your environment and recommend the correct specifications, before you commit to a purchase.
IP65 means the fixture is fully dust-tight (no dust ingress under any conditions) and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction. It is the standard outdoor rating for most commercial and industrial LED fixtures. Ideal choice for building exteriors, parking lots, canopies, and general outdoor use across Canadian weather conditions.
For environments that involve high-pressure water jets, such as industrial washdown areas, car washes, or heavily exposed outdoor locations with wind-driven rain, yes, IP66 is the better choice. For standard outdoor applications involving rain and humidity, IP65 is fully adequate and typically more cost-effective. Higher is not always better; match the rating to your actual environment.
All three share the same first digit (6), meaning all are fully dust-tight. Water resistance differs: IP65 handles low-pressure jets, IP66 handles high-pressure jets, and IP67 withstands temporary submersion up to one metre for 30 minutes. IP67 is not necessarily “better” than IP66 for above-ground fixtures, IP66 actually provides stronger resistance to pressurized water jets, which IP67 does not test for.
For most standard warehouses, IP65 is sufficient for overhead LED high bay fixtures. If the facility uses pressure-washing or hosing down of floors and surfaces, specify IP66 to protect any fixtures in those areas. For cold storage or refrigerated warehouses, also verify that the fixture’s operating temperature specification covers your ambient temperature range.
Yes. Faraday Lighting’s commercial and industrial product lines carry IP ratings across their outdoor and industrial fixture categories. LED wall packs, flood lights, high bays, canopy, garage, and linear fixtures carry IP65 or IP66 ratings suited to their applications. Specific ratings are listed in each product’s technical specification sheet. If you need help confirming the right specification for your project, Faraday offers a free facility audit to assess your requirements.
Moisture will gradually enter the fixture housing, degrading the LED driver, corroding internal components, and accelerating lumen depreciation. In higher-moisture environments, failure can be rapid. Beyond performance loss, an under-rated fixture in a wet or outdoor location may also create electrical safety hazards and void the product warranty. Always specify the correct IP rating for the installation environment.
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