Technical meaning
- An IP rating is an ingress protection code for an enclosure, with one digit for protection against solids and one digit for protection against water.
- The rating describes tested enclosure protection under defined conditions; it does not describe every environmental or installation factor.
Calculation use
- IP notes help keep indoor, sheltered outdoor and exposed outdoor lighting assumptions separate in planning records.
- Outdoor lighting estimates can record IP rating beside beam aim, spill-light risk, mounting position and maintenance access.
Not the same as
- An IP rating is not a wiring instruction and does not choose a circuit, cable route or installation method.
- An IP rating is not a wet-area approval by itself. Location decisions depend on the full electrical and building context.
Australian context
- Australian lighting notes should keep IP codes close to enclosure and exposure language, while licensed electrical decisions remain outside a public calculator page.
Examples
| Example | Value | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Indoor dry-area cue | Useful as a basic enclosure note, not as a location decision. |
| IP44 | Splash-resistance cue | Often compared with higher outdoor ratings, but the surrounding conditions still matter. |
| IP65 | Dust-tight and water-jet cue | A stronger enclosure statement, not a complete outdoor installation assessment. |
Calculation limits and records
- This site explains IP codes for lighting planning. It does not give wet-area placement decisions, wiring directions or AS/NZS compliance approval.