3 Steps to Choose Waterproof LED Strip Lights for Outdoor Use

LED strip lights are easy to install and replace, making them a popular choice for lighting in various settings such as indoor bedside tables, ceilings, office spaces, and outdoor areas like balconies, pergolas, and pool areas. However, installing unprotected led strips for outdoor use can lead to short circuits from rainwater exposure within a minute or one week.

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So, how do we choose waterproof LED strip lights for outdoor use?

1. Understanding Solids and Water IP Rating

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings indicate the level of protection provided against solids and liquids.

The IP rating consists of two digits: the first digit denotes protection against solids, while the second digit indicates protection against liquids.

Here’s a breakdown of both solids and water IP rating digits and the level of protection they indicate:

- 1st Digit (Solid Object Protection): Ranges from 0 to 6, with higher numbers indicating greater protection against solid objects.

- 2nd Digit (Water Protection): Ranges from 0 to 8, with higher numbers indicating greater protection against water ingress.

2. Why Outdoor LED Light Strips Need Different IP Ratings

Comparing indoor lights to outdoor lights, outdoor lighting is exposed to dust, rain, and various external substances. Different outdoor illumination applications require varying levels of protection, and you can run out of the risk of damage led light strips.

For example,walkway lights need protection against physical force and moderate water, while pond lights or led swimming pool lights require protection against full submersion.

3. Common Waterproof Ratings for Outdoor LED Strip Lights

IP65 LED Strip

Not recommended for situations with extreme weather like water submersion. An IP67 or IP68 rated enclosure however offers more protection against liquid ingress.

Outdoor kitchen edge lights, roof soffit lighting, balcony railing light and so on.

IP67 LED Strip

An IP67 rated enclosure protects against high pressure water jets and temporary submersion at depths of up to 3 feet / 1 meter.

It’s suitable as above ground pool edge light, deck edge light, walkway lights and some which might be shortly submersed.

IP68 LED Strip

An IP68 rated enclosure avoids liquid ingress to LED light. An enclosure with this rating will even submerge at depths of up to 13 feet / 4 meters.

For pool LED lights, pond lights, and waterfall illumination, no alternatives other thanIP68 led strip lights.

It’s time to choose the right exterior waterproof led strip lights for outdoor lighting applications and illuminate your landscape area. If you have no design ideas about LED strips outside, turn to 10 outdoor patio lighting designs, you would get your thoughts.

Elevate your outdoor experience with PaneraLux pool and outdoor LED strips and make every moment outdoors unforgettable.

For expert advice and assistance in choosing the perfect LED strip lights for your outdoor space, feel free to reach out to our team. or click the icon in the bottom right corner, chat with us and you can get professional advice soon.

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LED Strip lights are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to enhance the appearance and mood of any space, both indoors and out. Using a well-protected strip light is crucial when working with LED strip lights in an outdoor or wet environment.

Before purchasing, this post will discuss everything you should know about IP68 strip lights, from frequently asked questions to the best waterproof LED Strip lights for the outdoors, pools, and other popular outdoor lighting projects.

What to look for in Waterproof LED Strip Lights

Every living, breathing adult human being knows that water and electronics do not mix. Anyone that has jumped in the pool on a hot summer day before removing their could tell you from first-hand experience. However, if they jumped in after (or whenever they started waterproofing phones better), they could tell you how excellent waterproof protection is.

Like a , LED strip lights can come in various protections that serve different purposes. The most basic strip lights can be offered in their basic tape light form or come encased in air-tight, flexible enclosures that can directly contact water or even be submerged!

IP Rating is the specific metric showing the protection a strip light has. Confused about what IP stands for? I’m glad you came along; let’s see what IP ratings are and which will provide the best waterproof protection for those tough jobs.

What does IP stand for?

IP is an acronym that stands for Ingress Protection. It measures an item’s protection against solid objects (dust, sand, etc.) and liquids.

Every IP rating has two numbers which will give you information about the protection level. In the simplest terms, the higher the number, the greater the protection against both solids and liquids. Let’s break it down a bit more:

• The first number ranges from 0 to 6. This number shows the level of protection against solid objects and moving parts such as dust, debris, or any other solid matter you can dream up that could get in and disrupt the strip light.
• The second number can range from 0 to 8 and shows the protection against different liquid and moisture exposures.

The chart below will help you understand the differences within each number.

Difference between IP65 vs. IP67 & IP68

The differences between commonly sold “waterproof” strip products are slight but essential. Using the above diagram, we can see that all IP65, IP67, and IP68 strip lights are protected at the highest level from solids and dust. The differences come with the protection against the liquids, aka waterproofing.

• IP65 – Water-resistant and protected against water jets at any angle. *Do not submerge these strip lights.
• IP68 – Fully waterproof and protected against the events of permanent submersion up to 12 feet.

Where to use Waterproof LED Strip Lights

If you don’t anticipate a harsh environment that is extremely dusty or wet, then a lower IP rating would suffice.

When working with strip lights outdoors, you will want to be at least at the IP65 rating, ensuring the lights will stay safe through both wind and rain.

IP68 waterproof strip lights shine in areas where IP65 would fail. Like areas with a lot of water build-up or high heat. In these more harsh environments, you want to ensure you have the highest level of protection, keeping your LED strip lights running long into the future.

Let’s take a look at the top uses for Waterproof LED Strip Lights:

Pool Lighting

Lighting around pools or hot tubs is a great way to enhance the mood and offer safe lighting on steps or around the edges. A popular pool light trend is illuminating the inside edges of an above-ground pool for more enjoyable nighttime swimming.

With IP68 strip lights, you will not have to worry about any failure as they are suitable in pool splash areas and underwater pool lights if you need them. The most challenging part is waterproofing all your connections which we go over in the FAQ section here at the bottom.

Sauna and Steam Room Lighting

Saunas and steam rooms have many health benefits that have made them more common in residential homes in the 21st century. Since you are sitting in a room with such high temperatures, it is nice to be as comfortable as possible. This includes finding sauna lights that will ensure the area is well-lit and you can see clearly.

IP68 waterproof strip lights are what you need to buy if you want to use LED lights in a sauna, steam room, or any humid setting with pressured steam.

High temperatures are the other factor that will affect your sauna lights. We did a temperature test where we left the IP68 strips in a 180° F oven for four days straight. The strips kept running strong and only experienced minor yellowing at their edges.

Outdoor LED Strip Lighting

Many customers come to us asking for the best outdoor led light strips we have. IP65 versus IP68 strip lighting could be a back and forth argument that you must determine your safest bet overall. If the strip lights are within a cove or covered from the elements while well off the ground, then IP65 strips will suffice.

On the other hand, if your strips are lower to the ground where standing water could reach them during a rainy season, you will need to go with IP68 strip lights.

These examples should give you a good idea of what applications IP68 strips will shine in. We have always carried our IP65 strip lights but ran into many users who wanted IP68 strip lights for pools, saunas, shower lights, or outdoor led strip lighting that needed a little more protection.

Are you interested in learning more about CCT Flexible Led Strip? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy IP68 Waterproof LED Strip Lights?