We can see wall lights on outdoor walls and garden walls. We have noticed that many users do not know how to choose the waterproof level of outdoor wall lamps, which leads to a large number of LED outdoor wall lights failures caused by waterproof failure. When we check the waterproof level of outdoor wall lamps, we will find products with different nominals, such as IP44 to IP68. Do you know what these IP waterproof codes mean? How to choose an LED outdoor wall lights with a waterproof level that suits you?
How to Compare Common IP Ratings of Outdoor LED Wall Lights?
There are many waterproof ratings for outdoor LED wall lights to choose from. Common IP ratings on the market include IP44, IP54, IP65, IP67 and IP68. Each rating has its specific protection capabilities and applicable environments:
IP44
IP44 outdoor LED wall lights are the basic protection level for outdoor lighting. It provides protection against the intrusion of solid objects with a diameter greater than 1mm (such as tools and small insects), as well as protection against splashing water from any direction.
IP44 lamps cannot be used in outdoor environments in the true sense, and can only be used in outdoor sheltered places and cannot be directly exposed to water.
IP54
Provides limited IP65 dust protection (will not accumulate enough dust to affect normal operation) and all-round splash protection. This type of lamp can withstand moderate precipitation, but is not suitable for long-term exposure to heavy rainfall.
IP65
IP65 outdoor LED wall lights are completely dustproof (no dust intrusion) and resistant to low-pressure water jets (such as garden sprinklers or heavy rain). This is ideal for most common outdoor environments, such as gardens, terraces and general residential exteriors.
IP67
Completely dustproof and resistant to short-term immersion in water (up to 1 meter in depth for up to 30 minutes). For outdoor lighting, we still recommend IP67 outdoor LED wall lights.
IP68
IP68 outdoor LED wall lights offer the highest level of protection, completely dustproof and resistant to long-term immersion in water. This rating is usually used for underwater luminaires, not standard outdoor wall lights.
How to Choose Suitable LED Outdoor Wall Lights in Different Outdoor Areas?
Depending on the installation environment, the recommended IP level will also vary. You can choose according to your situation. Outdoor wall lights are generally installed on the exterior wall. Some are shielded, while others are completely exposed to water.
Sheltered areas
For the outdoor of the shielded area, it is generally the eaves, the corridor ceiling or the balcony structure. Therefore, the lamps will not be directly impacted by heavy rain or a large amount of splashing water. For safety and usage time, we recommend choosing IP65 LED outdoor wall lights.
Open exterior walls and garden areas
These areas are directly exposed to the external environment, with sun exposure during the day and frequent wind and rain at night. There are even interferences such as dust, insects and moisture. IP67 outdoor wall lights are the best choice, they can be completely waterproof and can cope with harsh weather conditions.
How to Choose a High-quality LED Outdoor Wall Lights?
When choosing an LED wall light, IP rating is an important parameter we need to consider. At the same time, we also need to refer to other factors to know its quality.
1. Lamp body material and manufacturing process
The material of the outdoor lamp shell is very important. High-quality outdoor wall lights should use high-strength weather-resistant materials, such as die-cast aluminum alloy and stainless steel.
In addition, metal materials not only have good heat dissipation performance, but also can effectively resist the expansion and contraction caused by wind, rain, and temperature changes, and extend the service life.
2. Light source quality and drive system
High-quality LED chips determine the brightness, color rendering and life of the lamp. First of all, international brands (chips) are preferred to ensure the quality of lighting.
At the same time, using branded power supplies (such as Mean Well) to stabilise the power supply can prevent flicker and ensure the normal operation of the lamps when the voltage fluctuates.
3. Temperature adaptation range
The outdoor temperature difference is large, especially in cold or hot areas. High-quality lamps should indicate their operating temperature range (such as -40°C to +50°C) to ensure that they can start to emit light in extreme climates.
4. UV resistance
Lamps exposed to sunlight for a long time are prone to yellowing, cracking, powdering or ageing of the plastic. The lampshade, lamp body surface and sealant should have UV resistance to ensure a long-lasting and beautiful appearance without affecting the light output.
5. Installation structure and waterproof detail design
LED outdoor wall lights need to have good waterproof performance. In addition, it is also important to pay attention to the sealing design of details such as the installation interface, wiring channel, back fixing system, etc.
You should choose products with silicone ring sealing, screw waterproof cap, and hidden wire outlet design to effectively prevent rainwater from seeping in.
Summary
Choosing the right IP rating for waterproof LED outdoor wall lights is key to ensuring long-term, reliable operation of your outdoor lighting system. For most residential outdoor environments, IP65 and IP67 waterproof ratings are a good choice.
Are you looking for the right outdoor wall lights for your garden, balcony or villa exterior? For more product details, please contact us.