What is an IP Weather Rating and What Does it Mean?
If you've been browsing professional lighting options for upcoming video productions, it's likely that you've come across IP ratings for the light unit itself, that consist of "IP" and two numbers, such as "IP54" or "IP65". If you've been a bit confused, then not to worry. IP ratings are quite straightforward, and we're here to give you the lowdown on why these are so important for your lighting equipment on set.
What is an IP rating?
An IP Weather Rating correlates to the moisture and particle ingress protection that a unit has been designed with. This can cover everything from whether a light can be used in the rain or used underwater, or just used on a moist or sandy set, and is very important for ensuring that your lighting has the proper certification to be used safely on certain locations or for particular scenes.
After all, the last thing you want is for water to get into your light and break it! (Those things cost money!)
The two numbers in the rating separately correlate to the moisture and particle rating, so each one will tell you what it means. If the product doesn't advertise an IP rating though, it's safe to assume that it's NOT properly certified for ingress protection, and should probably be kept away from rain and dust/sand.
Who is it important for?
In the photo and video lighting sphere, while rarely used for equipment for the average photographer, IP ratings on lighting and video equipment can be very important for lighting gaffers and cinematographers on larger film and broadcast productions. This is why you'll often see these ratings on professional, high-end lighting equipment such as the Godox KNOWLED LED Range.
How do the ratings work?
The number corresponds to the level of protection the unit has been tested up to. The higher the number, the more protection the equipment has.
Particle and Solids Ingress (The first number: e.g. IPXX)
| Level sized | Effective against | Description |
|---|---|---|
| X | Unknown | X means no data is available to specify a protection rating about this criterion. |
| 0 | — | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | > 50 mm 2.0 in |
Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part |
| 2 | > 12.5 mm 0.49 in |
Fingers or similar objects |
| 3 | > 2.5 mm 0.098 in |
Tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | > 1 mm 0.039 in |
Most wires, slender screws, large ants, etc. |
| 5 | Dust protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the safe operation of the equipment. |
| 6 | Dust-tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on airflow. |
Liquid/Water Ingress (The second number: e.g. IPXX)
| Level | Protection against | Effective against |
|---|---|---|
| X | Unknown | X means no data is available to specify a protection rating concerning these criteria. |
| 0 | None | No protection against ingress of water |
| 1 | Dripping water |
Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no unsafe effect on the specimen when mounted upright onto a turntable and rotated at 1 RPM. Test duration: 10 minutes Water equivalent to 1 mm (0.039 in) rainfall per minute |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted at 15° |
Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15° from its normal position. A total of four positions are tested within two axes. Test duration: 2.5 minutes for every direction of tilt (10 minutes total) Water equivalent to 3 mm (0.12 in) rainfall per minute |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture, or b) a spray nozzle with a counterbalanced shield.
Test a) is conducted for 5 minutes, then repeated with the specimen rotated horizontally by 90° for the second 5-minute test. Test b) is conducted (with a shield in place) for 5 minutes minimum. |
| 4 | Splashing of water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either:
a) an oscillating fixture, or b) A spray nozzle with no shield. Test a) is conducted for 10 minutes. b) is conducted (without shield) for 5 minutes minimum. Oscillating tube: Test duration: 10 minutes |
| 5 | Water jets |
Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm (0.25 in)) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes |
| 6 | Powerful water jets |
Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm (0.49 in)) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes |
| 6K | Powerful water jets with increased pressure |
Water projected in powerful jets (6.3 mm (0.25 in) nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction, under elevated pressure, shall have no harmful effects. Found in DIN 40050, and not IEC 60529. Test duration: at least 3 minutes |
| 7 | Immersion, up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) depth |
Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) of submersion). Test duration: 30 minutes.[7] Tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1,000 mm (39 in) below the surface of the water, or the highest point 150 mm (5.9 in) below the surface, whichever is deeper. |
| 8 | Immersion, 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) or more depth |
The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which the manufacturer shall specify. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only so that it produces no harmful effects. Test duration: agreement with the manufacturer Depth specified by the manufacturer, generally up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) |
| 9 | Powerful high-temperature water jets | Protected against close-range high-pressure, high-temperature spray downs.
|
Mid-range ratings for moisture and liquids are suitable for things like shooting outdoors in rainy or snowy conditions, while higher ratings (7-9) are covered for underwater shooting where your light needs to be completely submerged.
Check out some links at the bottom of this blog for Godox KNOWLED lighting equipment with IP weather certifications.
While the IP rating is quite important to those working in professional field in unpredictable or extreme conditions, most photographers and smaller business videographers won't need to worry about getting lights with these certifications.
Get in touch for purchase orders or loan and hire terms for KNOWLED equipment from EssentialPhoto & Video! Email your query to info@essentialphoto.co.uk for some more information or to enquire about stock.
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