The use of LED replacements lamps in incandescent landscape lighting fixtures has introduced Ingress Protection (IP) measurements to the contractor world. Manufacturers with high IP numbers like to use them as a bragging point. But, just what does an Ingress Protection measurement tell you?
Simply put, the IP number specifies how well an item is protected from particulates and liquids getting inside it. While much in the landscape is not so sensitive that we are concerned, LED retrofit lamps have electronics built in that need a high degree of protection. Stated another way, you want to use an LED retro lamp with a high IP number.
An IP number has two parts. The first number rates the protection from solid matter while the second rates protection from liquids. The higher the number, the more protection. Here are the accepted standards;
First Number
- 0- No protection, sometimes stated as “X”
- 1- Protection up to 50mm
- 2- Protection up to 12mm
- 3- Protection up to 2.5mm
- 4- Protection up to 1mm
- 5- Protected against dust, limited ingress, no harmful deposits
- 6- Total production against all solids
Second Number
- 0- No protection, sometimes stated as “X”
- 1- Protected against vertically falling drops of water (condensation)
- 2- Protected against direct spray of water up to 15 degrees from vertical
- 3- Protected against direct spray of water up to 60 degrees from vertical
- 4- Protected against direct spray of water from all directions, limited ingress permitted
- 5- Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions, limited ingress permitted
- 6- Protected against low pressure jets of water, limited ingress permitted (ship deck)
- 7- Protected against immersion between 15cm and 1m
- 8- Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure
Early generations of LED retro lamps were designed for indoor use. Obviously a landscape is harsher than inside a building. Using an LED retro lamp introduce points of failure. Such as socket degradation, particulate and liquid regression, and poor heat dissipation. At least use a retro designed for outdoor use in landscape lighting fixtures. The IP number will give you a clue.
