Quick Tips to Choose the Waterproof IP Rating of Led Snake

LED strip lights (also called LED tape lights, LED rope lights, LED ribbon lights or LED snake lights) are extremely popular in many facets of lighting design thanks to their compact size, high brightness, and low power consumption. They are also extremely versatile, as shown by architects, homeowners, bars, restaurants,and countless others who are using them in every way imaginable.

The use of flexible LED strip lights is rapidly rising in modern lighting design around the world. Architects and lighting designers are implementing LED strip lights into residential, commercial, and industrial projects at an increasing rate. This is due to an increase in efficiency, color-options, brightness, ease of installation. A home owner can now design like a lighting professional with a complete lighting kit and an hour or two.

No matter at night or during the day, the use of the strip light is very high frequency, it can be said that it is closely related to our daily work and rest. The correct use of the strip light can extend the service life of the strip light and ensure the safety of the living space. LED strip lights can survive in different weather conditions, based on their IP ratings. Therefore, how to choose the strip light in different places?

Below are different IP ratings for LED strip lights with their capabilities against water and dust. It will give you an idea of which IP rating LED strip light is suitable for your needs.

IP20 Rating

The IP20 rating indicates the basic protection level for LED strip lights. The bare board IP20 LED strip lights we called non-waterproof. You cannot use these lights in open air or in a location exposed to water sprays. They are suitable for installation in dry indoor environment.

IP65 Rating

LED strip light that has an IP65 rating is water-resistant. The top side of the strip ( include the PCB, LEDs and resistors) is coated with a thick layer of Silicone. You do not need to worry about water jets from any angle. Moreover, the strip light is dust-tight, which means dust particles will not enter inside diodes or affect its performance in any manner. IP65 strip lights can be used for humid places such as bathrooms, decks, staircase, patios, and similar outdoor locations. However, this rating does not make your strip light fully waterproof.

IP67 Rating

LED strip light with IP67 is fully encapsulated by a silicon sleeve and comes with an additional glue seal at each end. It is protected against the effects of immersion between 15 cm and 1 m. You can call LED strip lights with IP67 rating water-resistant plus. Such LED strip lights work fine even if submerged in water for ten minutes. If we talk about their capability to sustain solid objects, they do not let dust come inside.

Both IP65-rated LED strips and IP67-rated LED strips to use similar coating material. However, they have additional glue seals at each end, making them better weather resistant. These LED lights can easily bear rain showers. You may use them outdoors for both commercial and domestic purposes.

IP68 Ratings

IP68 strip is fully encased by a silicone extrusion that glue inside is sealed on each end. LED strip lights with IP68 ratings are also dust-proof. They are protected against long periods of immersion in more than three meters. Since they can immerse underwater up to three-meter, you can use them to decorate your aquarium and swimming pool. So this submersible strip light is suitable for installation in areas where it will sit in water for prolonged periods of time.

Now you know what LED strip lights with different IP ratings can do. The rougher and dustier the environment is, the more IP protection you need. LED strip light with higher IP ratings will cost a little more. So if you want LED strips for indoor and protected areas, go for low IP ratings. If the location where you want to install LED strip lights is full of debris and may come into contact with liquid, choose a higher IP rating.