Technical guide
IP ratings: bathroom and outdoor lighting
The IP code (IEC 60529) has two digits: the first for solids (0–6), the second for water (0–9). "X" means not tested.
The ratings you will see
| Rating | Water protection | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | None | Dry indoor rooms |
| IP44 | Splashing water from any direction | Bathroom zone 2, sheltered outdoor walls |
| IP65 | Water jets (6.3 mm nozzle) | Exposed outdoor, showers with jets |
| IP67 | Temporary immersion up to 1 m | Bathroom zone 0, ground lights |
| IP68 | Continuous immersion (conditions set by maker) | Ponds, pools |
UK: bathroom zones (BS 7671, section 701)
- Zone 0 (inside the bath or shower tray): IPX7 minimum, SELV 12 V only.
- Zone 1 (above the bath/tray up to 2.25 m): IPX4 minimum (IPX5 where water jets are used for cleaning).
- Zone 2 (0.6 m around zone 1): IPX4 minimum.
- Outside the zones: no IP requirement in BS 7671, but IP44 is a sensible choice above a basin.
In England and Wales, new lighting points or alterations to circuits inside these bathroom zones are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations: use a registered electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT) or notify building control. Replacing a bulb is never notifiable.
US: damp and wet locations (NEC)
US fixtures are listed by UL/ETL as dry, damp or wet location rather than by IP code. Under NEC 410.10(D), no part of a cord-connected, chain-, cable- or cord-suspended luminaire, track light, pendant or ceiling paddle fan may sit within 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically of the bathtub rim or shower threshold (including directly above it). Luminaires within the tub or shower footprint, up to 8 ft above the rim, must be marked for damp locations, or for wet locations where subject to shower spray. Outdoors, exposed fixtures must be wet-location listed. Some imported fittings carry both an IP code and a UL listing; in the US, the listing is what inspectors check.