Why is there an IP value on a light fitting?
All light fittings are classified according to their IP value. These IP values (International Protection or Ingress Protection) indicate the degree of protection of the light fitting against dust and moisture. The IP value consists of two digits: the first digit indicates the level of protection against dust; the second, the level of protection against moisture. The higher the IP value, the higher the protection.
It is important that lamps in the bathroom are safe, as moisture and electricity obviously do not mix.
 

What does the IP value mean on a light fitting?

1) The first number after the letters IP indicates the degree to which the device is protected against dust

IP0x – no protection
IP1x – protected against a solid object greater than 50 mm such as a hand
IP2x – protected against a solid object greater than 12.5 mm such as a finger
IP3x – protected against a solid object greater than 2.5 mm such as a screwdriver
IP4x – protected against a solid object greater than 1 mm
IP5x – Dust protected
IP6x – Dust tight.
 

2) The second digit after the letters IP indicates protection against moisture

IPx0 – no protection
IPx1 – protected against vertical falling of drops.
IPx2 – protected against vertical falling drops of water with enclosure tilted up to 15° from the vertical
IPx3 – protected against sprays of water up to 60 degrees from the vertical (rain for example)
IPx4 – protected against water splashes from all directions
IPx5 – protected against jets of water (from a shower for example)
IPx6 – protected against powerful jets of water
IPx7 – watertight against the effects of immersion in water (30min)
IPx8 – watertight against the effects of immersion in water (for long periods of time, for example in a swimming pool)
 

zangra has grouped all lamps that are IP44+ or for outdoor use in "this section".
You can divide a bathroom into a number of zones (European regulations). Each zone has its own IP value.
The illustration below shows the different zones in the bathroom.
 

Which IP value belongs to which zone in a bathroom?
Zone 0 min. IP 67
Zone 1 min. IP 65
Zone 2 min. IP 44
Zone 3 (anywhere outside zones 0, 1 and 2): There are no special IP-requirements in this zone.
 

TIP: just above the shower we advise you to use an IP65 because the lighting here could come in direct contact with water.
It is recommended to install sockets only in zone number 3.

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