The mechanical, thermal and safety requirements to be met by luminaires are laid down in the various international and European standards. The provisions of EN IEC 598 (Luminaires - General requirements and tests) are of particular relevance. Conformance with this standard guarantees that a luminaire is designed and manufactured in such a way that it will not represent a hazard to life and limb, property or pets as long as it is properly installed, used and serviced. The provisions of the standard are designed to prevent

  • electric shocks when touched
  • operating faults in the luminaires
  • reduced service life for lamps and luminaires
  • fire hazard in the luminaire or its surroundings


Conformance with the standard is indicated by the appropriate markings (VDE, SEV, ÖVE, KEMA).


The type of protection of a luminaire defines the degree of protection against the ingress of damp, water and dust. The type of protection is expressed as a two-digit IP code. The first digit relates to protection against the ingress of foreign bodies, while the second defines the level of protection against moisture. Every extra-protection luminaire must be marked with both digits of the IP code. Ordinary luminaires (= IP20) do not have to carry the code markings.


1st digit: protection against contact and foreign bodies

Definition

Examples(contact/ingres not possible for...)

Code

No protection

no special protection

IP 0X

Protection against foreign

large body surfaces, e.g. a hand

IP 1X

bodies
> 50 mm

(no protection against deliberate contact)

 

Protection against foreign

fingers

IP 2X

bodies
> 12 mm

 

 

Protection against foreign

tools, rods

IP 3X

bodies
> 2,5 mm

 

 

Protection against foreign

wires or strip

IP 4X

bodies
> 1 mm

 

 

Protection against dust

not completely dust-proof, but adequate for proper operation

IP 5X

Dust-tight

no ingress of dust

IP 6X


2nd digit: protection against ingress of liquid


Definition

Examples(contact/ingres not possible for...)

Code

No protection

no special protection

IP X0

Drip-proof

dripping water
(vertical drops)

IP X1

Drip-proof up to 15°

vertical drops with the housing rotated up to 15° from the normal position

IP X2

Spray-proof

water spray from an angle of up to 60° from the vertical

IP X3

Protection against splashwater

splashwater hitting the housing from any direction

IP X4

Jet-proof

a jet of water hitting the housing from any direction

IP X5

Protection against high seas

high seas or a jet of water under high pressure

IP X6

Protection against immersion

ingress of water caused by temporary immersion

IP X7

Protection against submersion

continuous submersion
(precise details to be supplied by the manufacturer)

IP X8


Pursuant to IEC 598 symbols may also be used for some of the codes. For special applications, the provisions of a additional (national) standards may apply.