Anyone buying a new lamp for the bathroom or garden will inevitably come across two letters: IP. This isn't a brand name, but an important safety rating—and if you don't know what it means, you risk a broken light or, in the worst case, an electric shock.
What does IP actually mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The two digits that follow describe how well a lamp is protected against solid foreign objects (first digit) and water (second digit). The higher the number, the better the protection.
A simple example: IP44 means—first digit 4: protected against foreign objects from 1mm; second digit 4: protected against splashing water from all directions.
IP20 – for dry interior spaces
IP20 is the most common protection rating for standard interior lighting. These lights are protected against contact with internal components, but not against water. They are perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and offices—anywhere where there is no moisture nearby.
Important: IP20 lights must never be installed in a bathroom near a shower or bathtub—not even on the ceiling directly above them.
IP44 – splash-proof
IP44 lights are protected against splashing water from all directions. This makes them the right choice for bathrooms, covered outdoor areas like patios or porches, and kitchens near the stove.
In the bathroom, IP44 lights can be installed in the area within 60 cm of a shower or bathtub and up to a height of 2.25 m. Outside this zone, IP20 is sufficient.
IP65 – dust-tight and jet-water protected
IP65 means: completely dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction. This protection rating is ideal for outdoor lights exposed to wind and rain, as well as for lights directly above a shower or bathtub.
In the garden, on house facades, or for pathway lighting, IP65 is the recommended minimum protection rating—especially if the light might occasionally be hit by a garden hose.
IP67 – waterproof
IP67 lights are protected against temporary immersion. This rating is mandatory for lights located directly inside a shower or bathtub—i.e., in Zone 0 of the bathroom. Ground-recessed spotlights in driveways or pond lights also require at least IP67.
Bathroom protection zones
The bathroom is divided into four zones, each with different required protection ratings:
Zone 0 — directly inside the shower or bathtub: IP67 required as a minimum.
Zone 1 — up to 2.25 m height around the shower and bathtub: IP65 required as a minimum.
Zone 2 — up to 60 cm around Zone 1: IP44 recommended as a minimum.
Zone 3 — the remaining area of the bathroom: no specific rating required, but IP20 or higher is recommended.
In a nutshell
IP20 for dry living spaces, IP44 for bathrooms and covered outdoor areas, IP65 for outdoor lights and areas directly above showers and bathtubs, IP67 for anything exposed to direct water jets or immersion. Knowing these four values ensures you always make the right decision when buying lighting—and keeps you on the safe side.
At Saasil, you will find lights for every application—with the appropriate IP protection rating for indoors, bathrooms, and outdoors.
Discover outdoor spotlights at Saasil now
For those who want the full details
The IP rating consists of two digits. The first digit describes the protection against foreign objects and contact, and the second digit—the one that is crucial for lighting—describes the protection against water. Here is the complete overview:
| Code | Protection Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | No protection against water whatsoever—only for dry indoor rooms |
| 1 | Dripping water | Protected against vertically falling dripping water |
| 2 | Angled dripping water | Protected against dripping water falling at an angle up to 15° |
| 3 | Spraying water | Protected against dripping water falling at an angle up to 60° |
| 4 | Splashing water | Protected against splashing water from all directions—minimum protection for bathrooms and covered outdoor areas |
| 5 | Jet water | Protected against water jets from any direction—ideal for outdoor lights |
| 6 | Powerful jet water | Protected against powerful water jets—even in heavy seas |
| 7 | Immersion | Protected against temporary immersion for up to 30 minutes (1m water depth)—mandatory for showers and bathtubs |
| 8 | Permanent immersion | Protected against permanent immersion—for pond and pool lights |
| 9 | High-pressure cleaning | Protected against water during high-pressure cleaning—for industrial areas |
