A grow room’s environment can easily become dirty and wet, posing a risk of damage to expensive LED grow lights. To get your money’s worth, choose the grow light with an appropriate IP rating when you buy one. IP ratings indicate the reliability and longevity of lighting systems, which ultimately impact ROI for your crop cultivation.
Lights with higher IP ratings protect against common types of damage. On the other hand, lower IP ratings might not be a disadvantage, depending on your grow room conditions. In certain situations, you can opt for slightly less protection at a lower cost.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the IP ratings and choose the suitable rating for your setup.
What Are IP Ratings?
An IP Rating, which stands for “Ingress Protection Rating,” is defined by the international standard EN 60529. This rating classifies the level of protection an enclosure offers against foreign bodies like tools, dirt, and liquids.
The IP rating consists of the letters “IP” followed by two digits (e.g., IP65). Higher numbers indicate better protection in each category of liquids and solids.
The first digit represents the level of protection against solid foreign bodies, such as dirt or dust, which could be harmful to your grow light. A high number in this digit is essential if you are cultivating plants.
The second digit represents the enclosure’s protection against liquids and moisture. As a grower, you understand the potential hazards of exposing lights to water from various sources like drips, sprays, accidental submersion, or cleaning. Having a high number in this digit is crucial to ensure your lights remain operational even after coming into contact with liquids.
The IP rating chart is as follows.
What Are IPX Ratings?
The letter ‘X’ in the IP rating signifies the absence of a specific protection level rating for the device. When ‘X’ is used in place of the first digit, it means there is no available data about the device’s protection from solid ingress or dust. Similarly, if ‘X’ replaces the second digit, it indicates that there are no ratings available for the device’s protection against liquid ingress.
For instance, IPX6 suggests that the light can resist water spray but hasn’t undergone testing to determine its rating for solid ingress. On the other hand, IP6X means that the device is safe from solid contact, but there is no information available regarding its waterproofing capabilities.
Why Are IP Ratings Important for LED Grow Lights?
If the light lacks protection against dust, it may allow dust to enter its power supply cavity. This can lead to accelerated corrosion and damage to the LED’s power supply, rendering it non-functional and potentially causing a fire due to leakage.
Similarly, if the light is not waterproof, it may allow harmful liquids like water to enter the interior. This could result in a short circuit within the internal circuitry or the LED light source. Water intrusion will also affect the light distribution of the LED light, ultimately impacting the lighting results. Furthermore, water entering the interior of the LED light can cause corrosion, which will have a negative effect on the LED light’s lifespan.
Why Have an IP Rating System?
The IP rating provides clear information about the safety level of any electrical device in challenging environments or weather conditions. It assures customers about the device’s resistance level. When a manufacturer claims a product to be water-resistant or dustproof, they often don’t specify the exact amount of water it can withstand or for how long. However, by referring to the IP rating, you can obtain precise information about the device’s water or dust protection capabilities.
Here are the interpretations of some commonly used IP ratings.
- IP20 – protects against objects larger than 12.5mm but does not safeguard against rain.
- IP54 – protects against dust and rain, spraying, and splashing.
- IP65 – protects against dust and low-pressure water jets.
- IP66 – protects against dust and powerful water jets.
- IP67 – protects against dust and temporary immersion in water.
- IP68 – protects against dust and continuous immersion in water at specified depths.
What IP Ratings Do I Need?
The required IP ratings for your grow room are determined by its specific conditions and the objectives of your cultivation. Specifically, the requirements of a hobby grower will differ significantly from those of a large commercial setup. Even small-scale growers might need higher IP ratings depending on the unique conditions of their grow room.
IP20 or IP40
Light fixtures with IP ratings ranging from IP20 to IP40 do not provide protection against water damage, but they can suffice for small-scale indoor hobby growers. These fixtures are more affordable but should never be used outdoors unless properly sealed. As long as your grow room is not humid, it is generally safe to use light fixtures with IP ratings within this range.
IP65 or IP54
Both these ratings offer a suitable middle ground for hobby growers and smaller-scale commercial operations. They provide considerable protection against dust and solid objects and are adequate for most liquid exposure in typical indoor settings.
IP54 is a widely used and popular IP rating, offering a good range of options. However, for larger indoor operations involving water jets or spray-on fertilizers, an IP65 rating may be more suitable.
IP67 or IP68
These lights offer nearly full protection against water and foreign objects. Although they may come at a higher cost, they are valuable investments for commercial growers and in humid grow room environments.
If you intend to use water jets, spray-on fertilizers or expect frequent foot traffic in your grow room, this enhanced level of protection becomes crucial.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the two numbers in an IP rating makes it easy to select lights that suit your requirements. Protection against solid objects and liquids is crucial, especially for commercial growers. And you should choose the right IP rating LED grow lights according to the specific environment.
At MokoLight, we recognize the need for top-notch fixtures that can withstand the challenges of cultivation. Unlike other companies with lower IP ratings, MokoLight LED grow lights are able to equipped with IP65 ratings for exceptional performance in demanding growing environments. Other IP rating LEDs are available, too. We are always by your side to provide tailored LEDs to meet your specific needs.
If you are seeking industrial-grade LED grow lights that consistently drive quality and production, get in touch with us right now!
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