Weather Resistance - Your Solution to Outdoor Lighting

Weatherproof outdoor landscape lights that can withstand the elements while providing illumination have become a staple in our daily outdoor living. Many manufacturers have made waterproof outdoor lighting a staple item in their inventory to adjust to your outdoor lighting needs. With a range of styles and designs available you can find the perfect light decor for your outdoor living space. Models of utility waterproof lights can help you put safety first in public settings. With weatherproof LED lights in hand, outdoor illumination becomes easy, regardless of the weather.

The Advantages to Weather Resistant Lighting

Weather resistance keeps your outdoor lighting fixtures safe from potential damage by the natural elements. With the use of IP rating, these lights can withstand the different levels of weather, which includes rain or snow. In some cases, your weather resistant lights are protected against extreme hot or cold temperatures.

Outdoor lights can possibly become dangerous without a weather resistant rating. With exposure to water when it rains, your LED lights could short circuit or malfunction. Additionally, outdoor lighting without IP ratings for their environment will break, forcing you to shop for replacements when necessary. Investing in outdoor rated lighting is sure to save you time and money in the long run.

IP ratings ensure your LED lights last just as long as your indoor LED light fixtures. With most brands lasting roughly 5 years or more with good care, outdoor weather resistant lights are made to remain durable throughout their lifespan.

What is an IP Rating?

IP or Ingress Protection ratings are a convenient way to measure the level of protection and durability of your LED lights. Fixtures can be rated to be suitable for operation in the presence of different elements that are solid or liquid:

Solids are rated on a scale from 0-6 and identify protections against objects that are 1-50mm in size. Common foreign objects include hands, screws and screwdrivers. The scale also includes protection against other particles such as dust.
IP scales are also created to identify the level of protection for the most common form of liquid, which is water. Outdoor fixtures can have special ratings from 0-9 for both moving and stagnant water. In the case of higher durability, LED bulbs can have ratings that protect them against being submersed in water.

IP Ratings and Weather Resistance

When identifying the IP rating of your outdoor lights, you will find that the grade will usually be a double-digit number. To be acceptable for outdoor locations, LED lighting must incorporate both solid and liquid protection. The first number in the grade will represent the light bulb’s solid rating while the second number indicates the liquid rating.

Outdoor lights should be strong enough to protect against water and objects larger than 1mm in diameter. These lights usually have a rating of IP45. The highest protection for outdoor lights is around IP65 - IP68. These ratings protect the light with a dust tight seal and make it resistant against water jets or other liquid.

At a higher level, an IP rating protects outdoor lights from moderate to heavy rainfall. This makes them suitable for placement in open outdoor spaces that are regularly subject to these conditions. During the occurrence of snow or ice, an outdoor light with an IP65 rating can avoid potential electrical problems.

Experts recommend ratings of IP65 or higher for Christmas light applications to ensure your lights can withstand cooler temperatures.

Outdoor LED Strip Lights with Weatherproof Ratings

In addition to indoor lighting applications LED tape lights have become increasingly popular for use in outdoor landscapes. Outdoor LED strip lights are rated from 44 to 67 for use underneath awnings or patios. Other waterproof LED tape lights can be placed in areas near rivers or oceans, allowing you to transform your space with colorful lighting effects.

Like some forms of outdoor LED lighting, the use of a tightly sealed silicone casing allows for the lights to withstand extreme hot or cold temperatures. Their ability to resist moisture makes them another energy efficient form of lighting for your outdoor spaces.

Waterproof led tape lights allows for you to place elements of ambient design in discrete areas throughout the space. Some models can even be placed within the inlays of architectural features to highlight certain parts of your building. Additionally, many models of LED strip lights come with smart integrated features to help you control your outdoor lighting remotely.

Tips for Selecting the best Weather Resistant Lighting for your Outdoor Applications

When choosing outdoor lighting with weather resistant ratings, it is important to consider the key differences that can affect the level of protection for your lights. Even in heavy rains and harsh weather, your LED lights should operate at their normal temperature with an appropriate lumen output.

With so many options to choose from, you can narrow down lighting solutions by looking at the suggested rating for your location. Then find the right shape and style of light to match the design of your space.

Lights placed in trees, patios and pathways should have a minimum rating of IP44. Choosing lights with this rating will ensure that minor elements such as dirt, insects and rain will not damage the fixture in any way. Different styles of decorative outdoor wall lighting typically have a rating of IP44 or higher.
If you are planning on positioning your lights under some form of awning or shade, you may be able to select lights with a lower level of water resistance. However, resistance against any particles or dust should be at a minimum of IP4X to ensure that the light is durable for outdoor conditions.
P67 lights can be placed in any open outdoor setting that will not be fully submerged in water at any time. These lights are meant to be resistant to light or moderate rain along with most solid objects. Most forms of solar lights usually have this rating because of their common placement.
Lights that are placed near any water features should have a rating of IP68 or higher. This guarantees it is submersible in water. Flood lights, for example, usually have this rating to ensure they withstand the occurrence of heavy rains.

Make Use of Weather Resistant Lighting for your Outdoor Residential and Commercial Spaces:

Outdoor lighting is essential for maintaining security and safety in your home and business landscapes. By selecting weather resistant lighting, you can ensure that lights stay on through the heaviest of rains and the harshest of temperatures. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your weather resistant lighting will keep your property well-lit during the toughest of days!

Elizabeth Cesar

Elizabeth is an accomplished graphic artist who enjoys the process of creating and building powerful visual experiences for others. As a content writer for HomElectrical, she turns her creativity into helpful tips and tricks and guides for buyers. In her spare time, she enjoys sightseeing and creating new experiences with her friends.