IP20 vs IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68

Every LED power supply has an IP rating. It is two digits — the first is dust/solid particle protection, the second is water protection. The higher the number, the better the seal.

This guide breaks down exactly what each common IP rating means in real-world terms, so you never overspend or under-spec again.

The Two-Digit System Explained

First Digit: Dust Protection

• IPx0: No protection. Not used on any commercial LED driver.
• IPx3 – IPx4: Protected against wires, screws, fingers. Basic safety.
• IPx5: Dust-limited ingress. Some fine dust gets in but not enough to harm operation.
• IPx6: Dust-tight. Zero dust entry. This is the standard for all outdoor-rated drivers.

In practice, every driver we sell that has a meaningful water rating (second digit 4+) already achieves IPx6 for dust. You rarely need to worry about this separately.

Second Digit: Water Protection — This Is Where Decisions Happen

IP20 / IP21 — Indoor Only

Dripping water from vertical angles (IP20). Dripping from up to 15° off-vertical (IP21).

• Use for: indoor ceiling fixtures, enclosed luminaires, dry locations
• Avoid: anywhere near windows, bathrooms, kitchens, or HVAC vents
• Cost: lowest tier

IP44 — Splash-Proof

Water splashed from any direction will not cause harm.

• Use for: bathroom vanity lights, under-cabinet strips, kitchen task lighting
• Not suitable for direct rain exposure or washdown

IP54 — Dust + Splash Protected

Dust-limited ingress + splash-proof from all directions.

• Use for: retail displays, exhibition stands, semi-outdoor covered areas

IP65 — Water Jets from Any Direction

This is the workhorse of outdoor LED installations.

• Use for: outdoor signage, façade lighting, streetlighting, parking garage fixtures, food processing areas with hose-down cleaning
• This covers 70%+ of all outdoor LED driver needs
• CHUGAO's best-selling category by volume

IP67 — Temporary Immersion Up to 1 Meter

The same dust-tightness as IP65, plus it can survive being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.

• Use for: landscape lighting near ponds or pools, tunnel lighting, underground/inground fixtures, flood-prone installation points
• Note: immersion depth is measured from the bottom of the enclosure, not the top

IP68 — Continuous Submersion Beyond 1 Meter

The highest standard. Rated for long-term underwater operation at depths specified by the manufacturer (typically 1m–10m).

• Use for: pool lights, fountain fixtures, aquarium lighting, underwater architectural features, marine applications
• These require specialized potting and sealing — cost is significantly higher than IP67

How We Test at CHUGAO

1. Assembly: Drivers are potted with PU resin inside a sealed aluminum or plastic housing.
2. IP testing: Every batch is sampled and tested against IEC 60529 standards using calibrated water jet and dust chamber equipment.
3. Aging test: Units are run at full load for 48 hours at 40°C ambient after IP sealing to catch any latent defects.

Which One Should You Order?

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