Are LED Lights Waterproof? What To Know Before You Purchase

Water-resistant LED lights can resist water ingress at low levels like water splashes or light raindrops falling vertically on the light bulb. These lights are mainly used indoors or in outdoor spaces where they are not exposed to water.

The resistance level of an LED light against water intrusion will be indicated by the second digit of an IP rating, so you need to check the IP rating of an LED light bulb before you get one.

What Is an IP Rating?

The IP rating is an acronym for Ingress Protection rating. The Ingress Protection rating measures the level of protection a light fixture has against solid and liquid. The IP rating has two numbers (IPxx). The first number (within the 0 to 6 range) represents the level of resistance against dust and other solid objects. The 0 rate means it has no resistance to dust, while 6 means it is fully protected against dust.

The second digit (rating is from 0 to 8) represents the light fixtures' resistance to water. 0 shows an absence of resistance, and 8 shows complete ingress protection against water.

IP Chart

First Digit ( Protection against solid objects - dust, dirt)  

Second Digit ( protection against liquid - water)

Which LED Lights are Waterproof?

LED bulbs rated IP65 and above are waterproof. This rating implies that the light bulb is protected against jets of water from every angle. However, IP65 LEDs are less waterproof because they cannot be submerged in water. LEDs with a higher rating like IP66 to IP68 are ideal for outdoor use and in other indoor locations where the light is vulnerable to water ingress. These lights can be immersed in water for varying lengths of time without being affected by water.

Which LED Lights are Water Resistant?

Water-resistant LED lights are protected against water falling on the light surface. Their enclosure is designed to protect the light bulb against splashes of water like showers and water drops. LED lights that are considered water-resistant have an IP rating of IP02 to IP04 (0 represents dust resistance level), with the IP04 rating offering the highest water resistance. IP04 LED lights can resist water sprays from any direction. They are suitable for indoor use in places prone to moisture and light water sprays.

IP64 Rating

The IP64 rating is one of LED lights' most common ingress protection ratings. If a light bulb has an IP64 rating, it means that it offers complete protection against dust and dirt intrusion and protection against water splashes from any direction. IP64 is the highest ingress rating for corn light bulbs because their screw cannot be protected from water intrusion.

Where Can I Use an IP64 LED Light?

IP64-rated LED lights are ideal for locations where they can be affected by light sprays of water and moisture. IP64 LED bulbs are mostly used inside the home and in other commercial spaces. They are suitable for use in the kitchen, garage, patio, barn, workshop, mall, garden, walls, warehouses, stairwells, etc.

When used outdoors, you should use them in areas where they will not come in direct contact with jets of water as they are not designed to resist such magnitude of water intrusion. However, if you decide to install them in such locations, use metal extrusions to protect the light bulb, or they may not last as long as they should.

What Is the Importance of Waterproof LED Lights?

Waterproof LED lights offer flexibility in the use of LED lights. You can use waterproof lights in wet areas since they are fully resistant to water. The IP66 to IP68 LED lights can be used in pools, showers, car washes, and other wet locations. Thanks to its waterproof nature, you don't have to worry about your light getting bad.

Waterproof LED lights are the best for outdoor lighting. They are used for security lights, street lights, stadium lighting, fields, bridges, walkways, etc. Whether you use a shade or not, waterproof lights are not affected by dust or torrents of rain.

They are also durable; therefore, they will last long. Most waterproof lights have rigid lenses that protect them from water intrusion and make them less brittle. 

Conclusion

LED lights are not all waterproof because most of them have varying levels of protection against water intrusion. The level of protection is measured with an IP rating. The second digit in the IP rating represents the level of protection against water on a scale of 0 to 8. The higher the number, the higher the resistance, and the lower the number, the lower the resistance. While some LED lights are splashproof, some are water-resistant, while LED lights with an IP rating of IP65 and above are waterproof.

Before getting any light fixture, check the product details for the IP rating of the bulb to know which one best fits into the location you need them for.