Environmental protection ratings for LED grow lights

LED grow lights are frequently installed in locations of condensing humidity, or in facilities where water is used for cleaning. In addition, many of these facilities can be dirty or dusty. So, what happens to an LED lighting fixture when exposed to water and dust? The answer is revealed in the fixture’s IP code.

The IP code is the International Protection Marking, sometimes referred to as the Ingress Protection Marking, which specifies the degree of protection provided against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water. The IP code stems from standard 60529 issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The purpose of the standard is to fully define a product’s environmental protection in an effort to address ambiguous marketing claims such as “waterproof.”

The IP code typically contains 2-3 alphanumeric characters that define the light fixture’s environmental protection. The codes are explained in the following tables.

An example of a suitable IP code for a high-quality LED grow light fixture is IP66, which indicates the fixture is environmentally protected against dust and powerful water jets.

LED lighting suppliers make a variety of claims regarding environmental protection. Growers in search of LED lighting need to understand the meaning behind the IP codes to ensure the fixture they buy will meet their needs.