IP Ratings Explained: IP20, IP44, IP65 — What Each One Means for Irish Homes
Two fittings, two different jobs — the IP rating is what tells them apart.
Why "waterproof" isn't a real spec
"Waterproof" and "outdoor-rated" show up constantly in lighting descriptions, and they mean almost nothing on their own — there's no legal or technical definition behind either term. The IP rating is the actual specification underneath those marketing words, and once you can read it, you don't need to take a retailer's word for whether a fitting is genuinely suited to a bathroom, a garden, or a kitchen splashback.
What the IP code actually is
IP stands for Ingress Protection. It's defined by the international standard IEC 60529, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission, and it rates how well an enclosure — in this case, a light fitting — resists solid objects and dust getting in, and water getting in. It's the same standard behind the ratings on phones, outdoor sockets, and industrial equipment, not something specific to lighting.
How to read a rating, digit by digit
Every IP rating follows the same pattern: "IP" followed by two digits. The first digit, from 0 to 6, rates protection against solid objects and dust — 6 means completely dust-tight. The second digit, from 0 to 9, rates protection against water — higher numbers mean progressively tougher water tests, from light splashing up to high-pressure jets and submersion. An IP65 fitting is dust-tight (6) and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction (5). The two digits are independent tests, not one combined score, so a rating like IP20 (solid protection, no water protection) is a perfectly normal and valid rating for an indoor fitting — it isn't "half finished."
The IP levels that matter for home lighting
IP20 — dry indoor rooms
IP20 protects against fingers and small tools touching live parts, and against solid objects larger than about 12mm, with no water protection at all. It's the standard rating for the vast majority of indoor lighting — living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, home offices — anywhere that never sees splashing or humidity beyond normal room conditions.
IP44 — splash-prone spaces
IP44 protects against solid objects larger than 1mm and against water splashed from any direction, though not a direct jet. It's the practical minimum for spaces that get occasional moisture without ever facing a direct spray — bathroom zone 2, the area above a kitchen sink or hob, and outdoor spots that are sheltered from direct rain, such as under a porch roof or deep soffit.
IP65 — direct water contact
IP65 means fully dust-tight, plus protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction. This is the standard most commonly specified for direct shower spray (bathroom zone 1) and for exposed outdoor wall and garden lighting that will face driving Irish rain rather than just occasional dampness.
IP67 / IP68 — submersion and ground-level outdoor
IP67 adds protection against temporary immersion — up to roughly one metre of water for around 30 minutes — which matters for ground-recessed outdoor lights that can sit in standing water after heavy rain, and for the interior of a bath or shower itself (bathroom zone 0). IP68 goes further, for continuous rather than temporary immersion, relevant mainly for submersible garden pond or water-feature lighting.
Bathroom zones and what they require
Ireland's wiring rules, I.S. 10101, treat any room containing a bath or shower as a "special location," using the same zone concept as the closely related UK standard, BS 7671. The zones are based on physical distance from water, and each carries a different minimum IP rating.
Zone 0
The interior of the bath tub or shower tray itself. Fittings here must be rated for immersion — IP67 at minimum — and run at low voltage (12V SELV), which in practice rules out almost all standard mains lighting from this zone entirely.
Zone 1
The area directly above the bath or shower, generally up to 2.25m from the floor. The regulatory minimum is IPX4, but IP65 is the rating most commonly specified and recommended in practice for fittings that sit in direct line of shower spray, such as a shower ceiling light.
Zone 2
Extends roughly 0.6m beyond the boundary of zone 1. IP44 is the standard minimum here — the zone typically includes the area around a washbasin, where splashing is likely but a direct jet is not.
Outside zones
The rest of the bathroom, beyond zones 0, 1 and 2. IP20 is technically permitted here, but many electricians and lighting specifiers recommend IP44 as a practical minimum anywhere in a bathroom, given the general humidity a bathroom carries even outside its defined water zones.
Zone dimensions and minimum ratings reflect the special-locations concept shared by Ireland's I.S. 10101 and the UK's BS 7671 Section 701 — always confirm the exact requirement for your installation with a RECI-registered electrician, since exact minimums can vary by fitting type. See our guide on when bathroom lighting work needs a Registered Electrical Contractor.
Outdoor and garden lighting
Wall-mounted vs ground-recessed
A wall-mounted outdoor light generally needs IP44 if it's sheltered, or IP65 if it's exposed to direct rain and wind-driven spray — which describes most gable walls and open porches in Irish weather more often than not. A ground-recessed light, set into a path or patio, faces a different problem: standing water pooling on top of it after rain, which calls for IP67 or IP68 rather than IP65, since it needs to cope with temporary immersion, not just a jet from above.
Covered vs fully exposed areas
The practical test is simple: if rain can hit the fitting directly, or wind can drive spray sideways onto it, treat it as fully exposed and specify IP65 or higher. If it sits under a genuine roof overhang, porch, or car port where direct rain physically can't reach it, IP44 is usually sufficient — though IP65 is rarely a mistake if you're not certain.
Kitchens and other borderline rooms
Splash zones above worktops and hobs
Directly above a sink, hob, or splashback, IP44 is the commonly used minimum, since steam, splashes and grease can all reach a fitting in that specific zone. Elsewhere in an open-plan kitchen-diner, away from the wet zone, a standard IP20 fitting is normal.
Utility rooms and garages
A utility room with a washing machine or a garage used for washing a car benefits from at least IP44, for the same splash-exposure reasons as a kitchen. An unheated, damp garage or outbuilding can also benefit from a higher rating simply for long-term corrosion resistance, even without direct splashing.
What happens if you use the wrong rating
Safety and warranty risk
An under-rated fitting in a wet location is a genuine safety issue, not just a compliance technicality — water reaching live electrical parts is a shock and fire risk, which is exactly what the IP system exists to prevent. It's also a near-guaranteed way to void a fitting's warranty and shorten its working life, since moisture ingress corrodes components that were never designed to get wet.
Who's responsible for getting it right
Choosing the fitting is the homeowner's call, but confirming it's correctly and safely installed for its zone is the job of whoever does the electrical work — see our guide on when you need a Registered Electrical Contractor for where that line sits in Irish law.
Quick reference table
| IP rating | Protects against | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Fingers, small objects >12mm; no water | Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways |
| IP44 | Objects >1mm; water splashed from any direction | Bathroom zone 2, kitchen splash zones, sheltered outdoor |
| IP65 | Fully dust-tight; low-pressure water jets | Bathroom zone 1 (shower spray), exposed outdoor walls |
| IP67 | Fully dust-tight; temporary immersion (~1m, 30 min) | Bathroom zone 0, ground-recessed outdoor lighting |
| IP68 | Fully dust-tight; continuous immersion | Submersible pond/water-feature lighting |
Frequently asked questions
What does IP44 mean on a light fitting?
IP44 means the fitting is protected against solid objects larger than 1mm (the "4" first digit) and against water splashed from any direction (the "4" second digit). It's the common minimum for bathroom zone 2, kitchens near a sink or hob, and covered outdoor areas that get occasional splash but not direct water jets.
What does IP65 mean on a light fitting?
IP65 means the fitting is fully dust-tight (the "6" first digit) and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction (the "5" second digit). It's the standard commonly used for direct shower spray in bathroom zone 1, and for exposed outdoor wall and garden lighting facing Irish weather.
Can I use an IP20 light fitting in a bathroom?
Only outside the bathroom's defined water zones. IP20 offers no protection against water at all, so it's fine for a hallway or bedroom, but not for zone 0, 1 or 2 of a room containing a bath or shower. Even the area just outside those zones is often better served by an IP44-rated fitting given the ambient humidity most bathrooms carry.
Do I need IP65 for all outdoor lighting?
Not necessarily. A fitting under a covered porch or soffit that never faces direct rain can often work with IP44, while anything mounted where it will take direct rain, spray, or a hose down should be IP65 or higher. Ground-recessed outdoor lights, which can sit in standing water after heavy rain, need IP67 or IP68 rather than IP65.
What IP rating do I need above a kitchen sink or hob?
IP44 is the commonly used minimum directly above a sink, hob, or splashback where water and grease can reach the fitting. Elsewhere in a kitchen, away from wet zones, a standard IP20 fitting is generally fine.
Is a higher IP rating always better?
Not for every situation. A higher IP rating usually means a sealed, less ventilated fitting, which can run hotter and cost more for protection you don't actually need in a dry room. The right approach is matching the rating to the specific zone or environment, not buying the highest number available.
Sources: IEC — IP (Ingress Protection) Ratings, IEC 60529 · Bathroom zone concept per Ireland's I.S. 10101, closely aligned with the UK's BS 7671 Section 701 (Locations Containing a Bath or Shower). Always confirm exact requirements with a RECI-registered electrician for your specific installation.