A Guide to Exterior Lights
Understanding what exterior light to use in which circumstances can be somewhat confusing.
This guide aims to help demystify what you need to be looking for in an exterior light by explaining IP ratings.
Outdoor Antique Brass Spherical Wall Light
At a basic level exterior lights are any lights that are situated on the exterior of a building or in a place that is to some degree open to the elements, this can often include wall lights, step lights, festoon lighting and garden lighting.
The most essential consideration when specifying exterior lights is the degree of exposure the lights will have the elements to ensure that they won't get damaged or cause an electrical fault.
Understanding IP Ratings
Ingress Protection Ratings, otherwise known as IP Ratings, are used to define levels of sealing effectiveness against foreign bodies such as dirt and moisture (according to the EN 60529 classification system). The rating is formatted as "IP" followed by 2 numbers (e.g. "IP00"), with the first number indicating the level of protection against solids (such as dust) while the second number indicates the level of protection against water. When only one rating is being addressed generally a letter is substituted, normally an 'x', for example IPx4 is only referencing the moisture rating.
Funky Exterior Wall Light
Exterior Mediterranean Woven Wall Light
Selecting lights for exterior usage
The main scenarios for exterior usage and our recommendation of minimum IP ratings in each situation are outlined below. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend IP44 or above for Australian exteriors. However, it's good to note that there may be exceptions to this rule depending on your specific circumstances, and sometimes products with lower IP ratings may be suitable.
We also recommend reading Our Guide to Coastal Grade for more information about selecting the correct material(s) for coastal or harsh environments, as some fittings may carry a higher risk of degradation in coastal locations exposed to salty sea air.
We always recommend consulting your electrician before making a purchase to ensure the IP rating and materiality of a chosen product are suitable for your specific use scenario. You are also welcome to contact our friendly team to discuss your needs.
Scenario 1 - Well protected
This first scenario covers exterior lights that are very well protected from the elements. The common example here is lights situated on the inside of a covered deck. In this situation, the lights are unlikely to be directly exposed to rain, water spray or direct sun light, although may be exposed to moisture and/or sea salt in the air (especially in coastal and/or humid locations).
Our Recommendation*:- IP44+
Please note; some high-quality products with lower IP ratings may be suitable in some well-protected exterior locations - *always discuss with your electrician before making a purchase.
Industrial Aged Brass Copper Pendant
Antique Brass & Copper Wall Light
Scenario 2 - Limited protection
This second scenario involves lights installed outside locations with limited protection from the elements, such as lights under eaves that could get exposed to rain or water spray.
Our recommendation* : IP44+
Please note; some high-quality fittings with lower IP ratings may be suitable for partially exposed locations - *always discuss with your electrician before making a purchase
Scenario 3 - Fully exposed
The final scenario is for any lights that are fully open to the elements and/or will be directly exposed to rain or water spray. Examples of this scenario include uncovered exterior wall lights, step lights and garden lighting.
Our recommendation* : IP55+
Please note; some high-quality fittings and bollards with lower IP ratings may be suitable for fully exposed locations - *always discuss with your electrician before making a purchase.
Outdoor Mediterranean Perforated Brass Wall Light