1.3 Protection against Solids and Water
Only for IP-rated fixtures
The protection level of a housing is set by apllied standards. For classification there is used the IP-Code. It contains
the declaration „IP“ and two following numbers. The first number charaterises the protection against harmful effects of
solids, the second is rating the waterprotection.
It is important to distinguish whether incapsulation and harmful effect! There can be housing that is not capsuled
completely but still avoids harmful effect of solids or water.
Protection examples:
IP20: Protection against intruding objects >12,5mm „Fingerprotected“; No Waterproofment
- Typical protection for indoor use fixtures
IP33: Protection against intruding objects >2,5mm; Falling water within an angle of 60° has no harmful effect
- typical protection of LED-Lights using recessed Powercon and DMX socket. This protection is linked to the mounting
position of the fixture and always refers to typical mounting situation like a Floorspot used standing on the ground.
IP54: complete protection against solids and low-pressure water from any side
- this type of fixtures can be used under normal outdoor conditions
IP65: shielded againts dust and pressurized water from any side
- typical protection for outdoor rated eventfixtures using waterproofed power and signal link
IP67: shielded against dust and protected for accidential briefly submerge
- protection against accidential submerging on temporary flooded area
Note: The numerical upcounting numbers may give the impression of getting higher protected in any condition. But
as there are different criterias for different protection grades, this isn´t always confirmable. For example Ip67 doesn´t
include IP66 automatically in any way. So it is possible that temporary underwater action has less harmful effect then
high pressurized water.
Temporary Use
Eventequipment is designed for temporary use. This are typical purpose as concerts, festivals, theatre, clubs and disco
use and referable venues.
Longterm use, specially under outdoorconditions and fixed outdoor installation can bring damage in aging materials and
affect the coated surface. Sealings as well as cables are made from rubber material and will age by longterm UV-emission
as sunlight and should be checked frequently.
Limitations of IP Protection
IP-Rating doesn´t mean unlimited outdoor use and protection against any kind of enviromental influence! Especially
sunlight and included UV will bring accelarated aging.
Some fixtures need special parts or processes to fit the rated IP-Protection, like mounting covers or caps or similar.
Sealings and other plastic or rubber materials are aging parts. They have to be checked frequently to ensure the
protection and safety of the fixtures.
Also specified torque of srews can effect protection!
