Definition
IP65 protects against water jets from any direction (6.3mm nozzle, 12.5 L/min, 3 minutes). IP67 protects against temporary immersion in water (1 meter depth, 30 minutes). The key distinction: IP65 handles rain and spray — IP67 handles temporary flooding. For most outdoor lighting, IP65 is sufficient. IP67 is required when fixtures are at ground level where water can pool (inground uplights, bollards, driveway lights), in flood-prone areas, or where fixtures may be temporarily submerged during cleaning or weather events. Cost difference: IP67 fixtures are typically 10-20% more expensive due to more reliable sealing and testing.
Key Data
| Parameter | Value / Explanation |
|---|---|
| IP65 | Water jets from 6.3mm nozzle, 12.5 L/min, 3 min, 3m distance. No immersion protection. |
| IP67 | Immersion at 1m depth, 30 min. Passes both IP65 AND IP66 tests implicitly. |
| Cost premium (IP67) | 10-20% over IP65 equivalent. |
| When IP65 is enough | Wall-mounted, pole-mounted, under-eave — anywhere water drains away naturally. |
| When IP67 is required | Ground-level, inground, flood-prone, areas subject to temporary pooling. |
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Application Guide
Wall-mounted outdoor
IP65
Water drains away — never pools around the fixture
Inground uplight
IP67 minimum
Water pools at ground level after rain — fixture sits in standing water
Coastal walkway light
IP67 + marine-grade aluminum + 316 stainless steel fasteners
Combination of temporary flooding + salt spray corrosion
Conclusion & Procurement Recommendation
Specify IP65 for above-ground outdoor fixtures where water drainage is adequate. Specify IP67 for ground-level fixtures, flood-prone installations, and any application where the fixture may experience temporary immersion. The 10-20% premium is cheap insurance against water ingress failure — replacing a failed in-ground fixture costs 3-5× the fixture price in labor.