Invisible, powerful, universal - electricity! Often, this form of energy can also be dangerous. Protection against electrical voltage is therefore very important for your lighting products. What do you need to consider when buying a new lamp for your home? We have compiled information so you have everything to make an informed decision.

In addition to style and quality, there is another element integral to your lighting at home - your safety. With knowledge about protection classes and different types of protection, you can make an informed decision about your lighting products. 

Protection class vs degree of protection - what's the difference?

Your lighting product will have it's safety information stated on it. Protection class is divided into three categories - I, II and III.

You also need user protection. Depending on the type of room in which you install your light, it must be resistant to dust and water. This information is called the 'protection class'. This allows you to understand what kind of light can be used where in your home safely.

Protection Classes

Depending on the material and design, the outer layer of the lighting product offers a degree of protection against electrical voltage. This protection is divided into three classes:

Protection classes - the power of resistance

Electrical engineering offers a defence against danger through degrees of protection. This information details the extent to which a device is protected against water and dust. 

Depending where the light is needed, you need to make sure it has the appropriate degree of protection. For example, installing a lighting product in the living room requires a lower degree of protection than installation in the bathroom. 

The degree of protection is indicated by the IP code (International Protection Code). This consists of two code numbers "IP XX" and ranges from IP20 to IP68.

The first number indicates the level of protection the light offers against foreign bodies e.g. dust. The second number describes the scope of protection against water or moisture. All of our lights are protected with at least IP20, which means solid substances with a diameter of over 12mm have no chance penetrating the light. 

The higher the protection class, the more difficult it is for substances to penetrate the interior of the product.

We have compiled some lighting products with different protection classes for you as an example:

IP20 - all EGLO lights have at least this degree of protection.

IP33 - the light is protected against solid foreign bodies which are 2.5mm in diameter or larger, with ability to protect against light water.

IP 44 – 97965 PALMITAL – EGLO

• Protection against foreign bodies with a diameter of 1mm or more
• Splashproof

IP 54 – 95002 LED Lora – Eglo Ceiling light:

• Dustproof
• Splashproof

IP 65 – 95235 ZIMBA-LED recessed spotlight for outdoor use:

• Dustproof light
• Protected against water jets

IP 67 – 86189 RIGA 3 – EGLO recessed floor light:

• Dustproof light
• Waterproof light

Safe swimming fun

When thinking about your bathroom lighting, pay attention to the different protection areas. Keep a simple rule of thumb in mind - the more water there could be in one area, the higher the degree of protection should be. Basically all lights from IP20 can be installed in the bathroom, but there are some areas a higher protection is required.

In the bathroom, lighting products with an IP65 rating or higher should be used in the shower or sink area. Lights within a 60cm radius around the sink or bath should be at least have a minimum IP44 rating. Anything over 2.25m from these areas is where IP20 lights may be installed. 

Protection classes indicate protection against electric shock. IP rating, on the other hand, details how easily substances can get into the inside of the light. The higher the degree of protection, the more difficult it is for liquid or dust to get into the material. In the vast majority of cases, a lighting product with an IP20 rating can be used without issue.