What are LED strips IP ratings? IP65, IP67, IP68

What does "IP" stand for ?

IP is an acronym "Ingress Protection Code". From Wikipedia we know, it classified and rates the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion,  dust, accidental contact, and water.

An IP rating is compreised of two digits. The first digit indicate solid particle protection like dust, etc.  The second digit refers to liquid ingress protecion. 

What is an IP Rating ?

As Wikipedia showed each IP rating has two digits. both digits are refers to the protection level. The larger the value of each digit, the greater protection the protection.

• The first digit (0-6) indicates the level of protection against solid foreign objects and moving parts, like dust.
• The second digit (0-8) indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against harmful ingress of water.

For example, a producted rated IP65 would be better protected against environmental factors than the product rated as IP54. 

Following image can help us to better understand the IP rating with each digit.

What is the differences between IP65,IP67 and IP68 in LED strips?

Since the bare board IP20 LED strips we called non-waterproof. Of course there is waterproof LED strips corresponding. The waterproof LED strip is available for IP65, IP67, or IP68 rating based on the application.

They are hermetically sealed for the highest level of protection against solids (dust tight) but variations come with the protection against liquids.

• IP65 =  LED strip is resistant to low pressure jets of water of from all directions. The top side of the strip ( include the PCB, LEDs and resistors) is coated with a thick layer of Silicone.
• IP67 = LED strip is protected against the effects of immersion between 15 cm and 1 m. Strip with IP67 is fully encapsulated by a silicon sleeve and comes with an additional glue seal at each end.
• IP68 = LED strip is protected against long periods of immersion in more than 1 meter. This submersible strip is suitable for installation in areas where it will sit in water for prolonged periods of time. IP68 strip is fully encased by a silicone extrusion that glue inside is sealed on each end.

We attached an image to better understand the differences between LED strips IP65,IP67 and IP68. 

What IP Rating you will need ? 

In a world, depends on the led strips installation environment. 

If the LED strips installation environment that is extremely dusty or wet then a lower IP rating would be ok.
In places that would have lots of dust, debris, or potential to be in contact with any solids or liquids, the greater IP ratings would be suffice. 

Next page we will post what IP rating is suitable for our LED pixel strips. 

Best Regards from Art LED Team