What do IP65 and IP66 mean? Choosing the Right Outdoor LED Floodlight

When choosing outdoor LED floodlights, the IP rating is the most important specification after wattage. Choose the wrong IP rating and water can easily get into the light, short-circuit the driver and ruin it after just one rainy season. So what is the difference between IP65 and IP66, and which should you choose?

What is an IP rating?

IP (Ingress Protection) is the level of protection a device enclosure provides against dust and water, under the international standard IEC 60529. The rating has 2 digits:

• First digit (0–6): protection against dust and solid objects. 6 means completely dust-tight
• Second digit (0–9): water resistance. The higher the number, the better the water resistance

IP65, IP66, IP67: what's the difference?

All three are fully dust-tight (first digit 6); they differ in water resistance:

• IP65: withstands low-pressure water jets from any direction – suits awnings and sheltered facades
• IP66: withstands powerful water jets and heavy driving rain – suits yards, billboards and outdoor light poles
• IP67: withstands temporary immersion to a depth of about 1 m – for in-ground lights and flood-prone areas

What IP rating should an LED floodlight have?

Given Vietnam's rainy climate, LED floodlights installed outdoors without cover should be at least IP66. Besides the IP rating, you should also check:

• Rubber gaskets and tempered glass around the light face
• Cable outlet with a waterproof gland, not just glue
• Die-cast aluminum housing with good heat dissipation and corrosion-resistant powder coating for coastal areas

Installation tips for long-lasting lights

• Make wire connections inside a waterproof junction box; never leave joints exposed outdoors
• Do not drill extra holes in the light housing, as this compromises water resistance
• Install the right way up as instructed, with the cable entry facing down so water cannot run in

Lights for football fields and tennis courts also need a high IP rating because they are constantly exposed to rain and sun – see also the factory's LED stadium lights and solar street lights.