WHAT IS AN IP RATING? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
An IP Rating is a rating given to indicate the level of protection against solids and liquids.
Always starting with "IP" the first of the two trailing digits refers to the solids protection, whereas the second refers to the liquids protection.
IP Rating Explained
First Digit
0 – Not Protected
1 – Protected from objects larger than 50mm
2 – Protected from objects larger than 12.5mm
3 – Protected from objects larger than 2.5mm
4 – Protected from objects larger than 1mm
5 – Protected from majority of dust
6 – Dust tight
Second Digit
0 – Not Protected
1 – Protected from vertical drips of water
2 – Protected from drips of water up to 15° from vertical
3 – Protected from spraying water up to 60° from vertical
4 – Protected from spraying water from all directions
5 – Protected from water jets
6 – Protected from powerful water jets
7 – Suitable for immersion up to 1 metre
8 – Suitable for continuous immersion beyond 1 metre
Zoning Information
Zone 0 - this is inside the bath or shower tray itself, and any light here must be low voltage and rated IPx7 (the x is used here because the degree of dust protection does not apply to bathrooms and any number will be OK). Lights rated IPx7 will provide total protection when immersed in water.
Zone 1 - is above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25 metres above floor level and a light fitting with a minimum of IPx4 is needed here.
Zone 2 - an area stretching to 0.6 metres outside the bath and above the bath or shower if it is over 2.25 metres. A light fitting of at least IPx4 is needed. Zone 2 also includes the area above the sink within a radius of 0.6 metres from the taps.
Not Zoned - refers to the area beyond Zone 2 and was previously known as Zone 3. There is no longer a specific IP number for this area, and any light fitting can be used unless it is specifically marked as not for use in bathrooms.
