When buying new lamps for the garden, bathroom or front entrance, you should pay attention to the IP appliance class. Indoor lamps and outdoor lighting are classified as electrical equipment and are subject to safety requirements. The appliance class shows you at a glance how well an electrical appliance is protected against the ingress of foreign objects, water and moisture.
What does the appliance class mean for machines?
The abbreviation IP stands for ‘Ingress Protection’ and describes the protection against the ingress of external influences into an enclosure. This internationally standardised term describes the degree of protection a device offers against its environment.
The IP appliance class consists of two digits:
- First digit: Protection against solid foreign objects and contact, e.g. by fingers or wire
- Second digit: Water protection, i.e. protection against dripping, splashing or jet water and even against immersion
Example: IP65 means that the device is completely dust-tight and protected against jet water from all directions.
IP appliance classes table – meaning of the digits
The following table shows you the level of protection indicated by the IP digits. The first digit describes protection against solid foreign objects and contact, whilst the second digit classifies protection against water and moisture:
1st digit: Protection against foreign objects and contact
| Digit | Meaning |
| 0 | No protection against contact, no protection against foreign bodies |
| 1 | Protection against solid foreign bodies from 50 mm, e.g access with the back of the hand |
| 2 | Protection against solid foreign bodies from 12.5 mm, access e.g. with a finger |
| 3 | Protection against foreign bodies from 2.5 mm, access e.g. with a tool |
| 4 | Foreign bodies from 1 mm, access e.g. with a wire |
| 5 | Protection against dust in harmful quantities |
| 6 | Dust-tight or complete protection against contact |
2. Rating: Protection against water & moisture
| Number | Meaning |
| 0 | No protection against water |
| 1 | Protection against vertically falling dripping water |
| 2 | Dripping water at an angle of up to 15° |
| 3 | Splash water at an angle of up to 60° |
| 4 | Splash water from all directions |
| 5 | Protection against water jets (e.g. nozzle) |
| 6 | Protection against powerful water jets (e.g. garden hose) |
| 7 | Protection against temporary submersion |
| 8 | Protection against continuous submersion |
| 9 | Protection against high-pressure steam cleaning (IP69) |
IP protection classes at a glance – suited to the area of application
Depending on where your lamps are installed, a specific IP protection class is required. This overview helps you quickly find the right protection class for your needs:
| Location | Recommended appliance class |
| Living room / bedroom | IP20 – no moisture, normal ambient conditions |
| Bathroom (outside the shower area) | IP44 – protection against splashing water |
| Shower / bath (wet area) | IP65 – protection against water jets, e.g. from a hand-held shower |
| Terrace / balcony (Outdoors) | IP44–IP65 – depending on weather conditions and installation location |
| Garden lights | Min. IP44 – preferably IP65 for direct outdoor use |
| Recessed ground lights | IP67 – suitable for brief submersion |
| Pool lighting / Fountains | IP68 – for continuous exposure to moisture and water |
| Lighting on road vehicles | IP66–IP69 – depending on usage and cleaning |
Important notes on selecting the correct appliance class
The IP rating provides important information, but there are a few specific points to consider when selecting a product that go beyond the numbers:
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X as a placeholder: If only one protection level has been assessed, an ‘X’ replaces the other digit, e.g. IPX4 (tested only against water).
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IP appliance classes ≠ electrical protection classes: Not to be confused with protection classes (I, II, III) according to VDE, which regulate personal electrical safety.
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Ensure the correct protection rating for outdoor lamps and equipment, as they are particularly exposed to dust, rain, UV radiation and cleaning with water.
Conclusion: Which IP appliance class do you need?
The correct appliance class is crucial for the safety, longevity and functionality of your electrical appliances and lamps. Proper protection against contact and water ingress is essential, particularly outdoors or in damp rooms.
Use the appliance classes as a clear guide for your lighting – whether for living spaces, the garden or the bathroom.
