Every luminaire we make carries an IP rating, and most of our weatherproof and public-area fittings also carry an IK rating. Both are international codes, but they answer very different questions. Getting them right is the difference between a fitting that lasts its warranty and one that comes back as a callback.
The IP code: protection from solids and water
IP stands for "Ingress Protection". It's defined in IEC 60529 and always appears as two digits, for example IP65. The first digit describes protection against solid objects and dust; the second describes protection against water.
- First digit (0–6): from no protection, through protection against fingers and tools, up to 6 = completely dust-tight.
- Second digit (0–9): from no protection, through dripping and splashing water, up to 5–6 = water jets and 7–9 = immersion or high-pressure cleaning.
So an IP20 batten is protected against fingers but offers no water protection — perfect for a dry office ceiling. An IP65 batten is dust-tight and withstands water jets from any direction — the right choice for a car park, warehouse or covered external area.
IP20 — dry indoor areas · IP44 — splash-protected, bathrooms zone 2 · IP65 — dust-tight + water jets, car parks & external · IP66/IP67 — washdown & immersion environments.
The IK code: protection from impact
IP says nothing about mechanical strength. That's what the IK rating (IEC 62262) covers — resistance to physical impact, scored from IK00 to IK10, where the number relates to the impact energy a fitting can absorb without failing.
- IK08 withstands a moderate impact — suitable for general weatherproof battens.
- IK10 withstands a strong impact (around 20 joules) — specified for stairwells, communal areas, schools and anywhere vandalism or knocks are likely. Our bulkheads and hublots are built to IK10.
Choosing the right combination
Think about the two threats separately, then pick a fitting that covers both. A communal stairwell, for instance, may be dry (so IP20 would technically do) but is exposed to knocks and misuse — so an IP65 / IK10 bulkhead is the safer, longer-lasting specification. A clean office only needs IP20, while a wash-down food area may demand IP66.
If you're unsure which rating a project calls for, our technical team can help you match the fitting to the environment and the relevant local standards.