Every light fitting sold for outdoor or bathroom use carries an IP rating, and almost nobody buying one knows what the numbers mean. It takes two minutes to learn and it will stop you buying the wrong fitting at least once.
What does IP stand for?
Ingress Protection. It is an international standard (IEC 60529) that scores how well an enclosure keeps things out. Two digits: the first is solids (dust, fingers, tools), the second is water. Higher is more sealed.
What do the digits mean?
| First digit (solids) | Means | Second digit (water) | Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Fingers cannot reach live parts | 0 | No protection |
| 4 | Objects over 1 mm kept out | 4 | Splashes from any direction |
| 5 | Dust protected | 5 | Low-pressure water jets |
| 6 | Fully dust tight | 7 | Temporary immersion |
So IP44 means it keeps out small objects and splashes, and IP65 means dust tight and handles water jets. Read them as two separate scores, not one number. IP65 is not 21 points better than IP44.
Which IP rating does each location need?
| Location | Minimum | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor living areas, bedrooms, hallways | IP20 | Any indoor fitting is fine |
| Covered verandah or deep eaves | IP44 | IP44 acceptable, IP65 safer |
| Exposed exterior walls | IP65 | IP65, no exceptions |
| Bathrooms | Depends on zone | Ask your electrician, see below |
Why are bathrooms complicated?
Australian wiring rules divide bathrooms into zones by distance from the bath, shower, and basin, each with its own IP minimum. A wall two metres from the shower has a different requirement to one directly above it. This is genuinely electrician territory: tell them where you want the light, and they will tell you the zone and the rating it needs. Any seller who says it is fine in bathrooms without asking where in the bathroom is guessing with your insurance.
The mistake that voids warranties
Using an unrated or IP20 indoor fitting outside because it is under cover. Humidity and condensation do not care about cover. Moisture gets into the housing, corrodes the terminals, and the failure is not covered because the fitting was never rated for the location. If a product page does not state an IP rating, treat it as indoor-only.
We apply that rule to ourselves. The Orb is our one weatherproof fitting, built in tempered glass and cast aluminium for exposed and covered outdoor walls. Everything else in the range, including the travertine Luma and the other natural stone pieces, is designed for dry indoor areas. We would rather tell you that plainly than sell you a stone fitting for a shower wall. If you need a specific IP figure in writing for your electrician, email email@battii.com.au and we will confirm it for the fitting you are looking at. More on choosing outdoor fittings in our outdoor wall light guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP44 OK for outdoors?
Only in sheltered spots like a deep verandah where rain cannot reach the fitting. For any wall that gets wet, use IP65.
What IP rating is needed for a bathroom?
It depends on the zone, meaning the distance from bath, shower, and basin. Zones directly around water need higher ratings than the rest of the room. Confirm the zone with a licensed electrician before buying.
Is a higher IP rating always better?
For protection, yes; for looks and price, not necessarily. Fully sealed fittings limit design options, so there is no need to pay for IP65 in a bedroom.
What does IP20 mean?
Protected against fingers touching live parts, no water protection. It is the standard rating for ordinary indoor fittings.
