Lighting ‘IP’ ratings explained

Prospective buyers of automotive lighting have no doubt seen mentions of ‘IP’ ratings on product packaging or in each light’s supporting marketing material online or in store, but what exactly is IP?

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and when handing over the hard-earned cash for new lighting – whether for a car, truck, caravan, boat, construction/agricultural vehicle, or for the workshop – consumers should ensure that the IP rating is the right one for the job at hand.

As you can see from the supporting chart, an IP rating comprises the letters ‘IP’ and two numerals, for example ‘IP68’. The first of the numbers relates to the level of protection the light can offer against particle ingress – the higher this number, the better the protection.

In the case of our IP68 example, this light’s construction and housing provides the internal components an extremely high level of protection, and is in fact dust-tight. Ideally if the light will be exposed to natural elements or used in a garage or workshop environment, buyers should opt for this first IP number to be a 5 or 6 to make sure it’s up to the task.

The second digit is just as important and refers to the level of liquid ingress protection the light has. Again, using IP68 as the example and referencing the 8 on the chart, you’ll see that this light is effectively waterproof (immersible) to a level of one metre.

You might think that this level of protection is overkill for inspection lights or workshop use, but Narva says it’s added peace of mind in knowing that these lights will perform even if they get dropped and forgotten behind a dusty workbench or accidentally left outside in rainy weather for a few days.

For other product types and applications, a high IP rating is a no-brainer. Take driving lights or light bars; they’re bound to experience plenty of dust, mud and water on a weekly or even daily basis for some users.

Fortunately, the entire range of Narva driving lamps and light bars all benefit from high IP ratings. As an example, Narva’s Explora LED lightbar range is fully sealed to IP68 or IP69K standards – that’s pretty impressive and ensures these lights will perform even in the toughest conditions. The 9K measure is the most stringent available at the time of writing, and means the equipment is even protected against close-range high pressure and high temperature spray downs.

To accurately test and certify that its lights meet the indicated IP rating, Narva undertakes a wide testing program including real-world testing. Along with being pitted against the environment in demanding outdoor settings, at its Melbourne facility Narva operates an extensive on-site environmental laboratory where testing takes place and sees pre-production lighting products undergoing rigorous testing.

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The on-site testing regime includes a dust chamber, thermal shock chamber, submersion tank, rain chamber and climate chamber, which are able to replicate extreme conditions that the lights are unlikely to ever be exposed to, even in Australia’s most extreme conditions.

Narva’s parent company, Brown and Watson International, is fully accredited to ISO9001, which guarantees that Narva is able to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. So next time you’re in the market for lighting products, be sure to consider the IP rating.