September 17, 2026

IP stands for Ingress Protection.
You’ll commonly see ratings such as:
IP65. IP66. IP67
Those two numbers aren’t random.
The first digit tells us the level of protection against solid objects and dust.
The second tells us the level of protection against water.
Take IP66.
The first 6 means the enclosure is dust-tight.
The second 6 means it is protected against powerful water jets.
Think of IP as a bouncer standing outside the fixture.
Dust? You’re not on the list.
Water? Let’s see what that second number says.

Now take IP67.
It maintains the highest dust-protection level while adding protection against temporary immersion in water under specified test conditions.
That’s an important distinction.
IP67 doesn’t simply mean “better than IP66.”
The ratings represent different standardized water tests.
IP66 addresses powerful water jets.
IP67 addresses temporary immersion under specified conditions.
So which is better?
The one appropriate for the application.