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Material Guide

LED Strip Light Waterproof Ratings From IP20 to IP68

What IP20, IP65, IP66, IP67 and IP68 mean on an LED strip light, how each construction is built and where each one belongs.

Written by the engineering team at Beauty (STC) Manufacturing Co., Ltd, Jiangmen, China.

The Four Constructions We Actually Build

On our strip light the ingress protection rating is not a coating applied at the end; it is a different physical construction. Our published specification for the 12V 2835SMD 60P strip lists all four side by side, which is the clearest way to see the difference.

RatingConstructionAdhesiveWhere it belongs
IP20Non-waterproof bare plate3M adhesive paperDry interior coves, cabinets, display
IP65Waterproof drop glue3M adhesive paperSplash and humidity, kitchens, bathrooms, sheltered exterior
IP66Waterproof silicone tube3M adhesive paperExposed exterior, washdown areas
IP67Sealed silicone constructionOutdoor 3M VHB on the dimmable silicone rangeConstruction sites, mines, tunnels, immersion risk
IP68Waterproof irrigation glueNo 3M adhesiveContinuous immersion, fully potted runs

Construction descriptions taken from our own published product specifications.

IP67 Is The One That Matters On Site

Our construction, mining and tunnel strip light is rated IP67 and is also tested to IK10 for impact resistance. On a working face those two ratings do different jobs: IP67 handles the water and the rock dust, and IK10 handles the machinery, the scaffold and everything else that hits a luminaire underground. The DIN EN 62471 photobiological safety certificate and the IEC 60598 luminaire safety documentation sit alongside them.

  • IP67 test reports are published in our IP67 certificate file.
  • The IK10 report for LED strip lights is published in the IK10 report.
  • Operating temperature on our strip light range is typically −15 °C to +40 °C; the underground lamp range runs −25 °C to +65 °C.

Where People Get It Wrong

  • Buying IP65 for an exterior facade. Drop glue handles splash, not standing water or pressure washing.
  • Buying IP68 for an interior cove. Fully potted strip cannot be cut and reterminated on site and carries no 3M adhesive backing.
  • Assuming an IP rating covers impact. It does not — that is what IK10 is for.
  • Ignoring the connector. A sealed strip with an unsealed joint is only as good as the joint.

Matching The Rating To The Product

FAQ

Questions On This Topic

Which IP rating do I need outdoors?
For exposed exterior use start at IP66 silicone tube. For construction, mining and tunnel work our IP67 construction is the one that is also IK10 tested.
Can IP68 strip be cut on site?
IP68 irrigation-glue strip is fully potted and is supplied without 3M adhesive backing, so plan the length and the fixing before ordering.
Does an IP rating cover impact?
No. Ingress protection covers water and dust. Impact resistance is a separate test, which is why we publish an IK10 report for the strip light range.
What operating temperature range applies?
Our strip light range is typically specified −15 °C to +40 °C. The LED underground lamp range is specified −25 °C to +65 °C.

Still Deciding? Ask The Factory

Send the application and the run length on WhatsApp and we will name the model, the protection rating and the certificate that applies.

No forms. Talk to an engineer on WhatsApp 0086-13902885704 or email [email protected].