Product Protection

IP Rating

An IP or Ingress Protection rating is a measurement of permissible intrusion of solid objects and liquid within an outer casing or electrical enclosure. It is a means of avoiding vague descriptions like 'waterproof' and providing a detailed explanation of how resistant to ingress the product is.

The first digit indicates protection offered against solid objects; 0 being the lowest, offering no protection and 6 being the highest, offering protection against ingress from dust particles.

The second digit indicates the protection against liquid. Again 0 is the lowest level, affording no protection against water ingress and 8 being the highest, allowing for immersion in water beyond 1m in depth.

Our standard outdoor fittings are generally rated at IP66 (protection against ingress from dust and powerful water jets). It is not uncommon for some custom products to be requested with IP68 ratings, this is dealt with on request.

An important fact about ingress protection that is often overlooked is the integrity of the whole system. In practical terms, if an IP66 fitting is connected to its supply using connectors of a lower IP rating, for example terminal block, then this will become the weakest link in the chain and effectively negate the IP66 rating. Stoane Lighting will ask about connections and supply connectors suitable for the application. Cables, when not correctly terminated and connectors, when not correctly assembled can act as weak points that allow water to be drawn into an otherwise sealed fitting via capillary action.  see Cabling and Connectors.

IK Rating

IK ratings (or impact protection ratings) are defined with IK and a number from 0 to 10, this indicates the degree of protection provided by the luminaire housing against external mechanical impacts.

It may be that for certain luminaire applications there are IK rating thresholds that the luminaires must meet to be suitable. Some products have IK ratings in their technical data, otherwise IK ratings can be established and provided on request.