Understand Location Ratings

The Location (Ingress Protection) ratings system where applicable to lighting gives the user and installer a way choose a suitable lighting product for a specific use when it comes to atmospheric conditions. As a UL/CSA listed lighting manufacturer we produce all our products to UL1598. Location ratings are provided under a descriptive rating consisting of dry, damp and wet locations applicable to our products. Dust and particle ingress ratings are the basis for these specifications. Where the decorative products that we produce are concerned only three are applicable. These are simply incorporated into the dry, damp and wet location designation.

The following tables provide the specific terms for Location Ratings:

LOCATION PREFIX

LEVELOBJECT SIZE
PROTECTED AGAINST
EFFECTIVE
AGAINST
1Not protectedNo protection against contact and ingress of objects.
2>50mmAny large surface of the body, such as the back of the hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part.
3>12.5mmFingers or similar objects.
4>2.5mmTools, thick wires, etc.
5>1mmMost wires, screws, etc.
6Dust protectedIngress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact.
7Dust tightNo ingress of dust; complete protection against contact.

LOCATION SUFFFIX

LEVELOBJECT SIZE
PROTECTED AGAINST
EFFECTIVE
AGAINST
0Not protected
1Dripping waterDripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect.
2Dripping water when tilted up to 15ºVertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15º from its normal position.
3Spraying waterWater falling as a spray at any angle up to 60º from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
4Splashing waterWater splashing against the enclosure from and direction shall have no harmful effect.
5Water jetsWater projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
6Powerful water jetsWater projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
7Immersion up to 1mIngress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1m of submersion)
8Immersion beyond 1mThe equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally this would mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects.

Bathroom Zones Explained

This Diagram shown the areas or ZONES of a Bathroom that must be taken into account when using lighting in Bathrooms.

We only make products suitable for Damp Zones where a the minimum requirement is Damp Location.

Zone one must use IP66 or above in order to cope with steam ingress and high pressure spraying water.

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Questions?

If you have any questions regarding our IP Ratings please get in touch.