If you’re in the dark about the benefits of switching to LED, then this quick article with enlighten you on just that! We also outline LED IP Ratings and end off with a brief discussion on the benefits of IP69K.

Why are Industries rapidly changing to LED technology?

Health and Safety:
There are several physical ailments that result from poor lighting in the workplace and this ranges from migraines to eye strain. This is due to poor light quality which has high blue-light waves. Blue-light waves are among the shortest, highest energy wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. Because they are shorter, these "Blue" or High Energy Visible (HEV) wavelengths flicker more easily than longer, weaker wavelengths. This kind of flickering creates a glare that can reduce visual contrast and affect sharpness and clarity. Good quality LEDs have a better balanced light output which tries to emulate natural white light.

The introduction of LED lighting in the workplace will allow for a better performance from the employee, extend wakefulness and support positive moods. A positive mood can be experienced because of the LED’s position on the temperature scale and colour index. LED lighting also has the benefit of allowing employees to be fully aware of their surroundings, thus contributing towards health and safety at the workplace.
Productivity:
Workplace lighting is an essential ingredient to an employee’s productivity. LED lighting allows manufacturers to have control over colour temperature. The light from LED’s is perceived by workers as a brighter light, which taps into their body’s peak energy levels. This occurs because the wavelength of LED lighting has a white, clear quality like natural light.
Quality:
Ineffective lighting can result in employees missing fine details which will prevent them from performing their assignments accurately. LEDs provide instant brightness to an environment without any flickering. They work extremely well in environments where lights are turned on and off continually, within short periods of time. Therefore, an increase in brightness at the workplace can reduce the number of errors that may occur.
Savings:
LEDs are designed to be energy efficient and have a long lifespan. This reduces the need for sporadic maintenance to replace light bulbs and both direct and indirect costs that are associated with it. These lights can also be adjusted so that light can be emitted in a specific direction, unlike fluorescent lamps.

LED fittings are far more energy efficient and long lasting compared to conventional light fittings, leading to savings on utility bills. Due to LED fittings lasting longer, they provide no maintenance costs, saving the company money on maintenance and standby time while the bulbs are being changed.

Understanding LED IP Rating

We’re all well-aware that if water should come into contact with electricity, the result is an electric shock, which could be life threatening. LED lights can also be damaged if water comes into contact with it, thus waterproofing the light is required to prevent electric shock and extend the luminaires’ life.

Both indoor and outdoor LED lights have different Ingress Protection (IP) ratings. An IP rating for an LED light indicates the measurement of protection that an LED light has against liquid and solid (dirt, dust, etc.) objects.

The IP rating consists of 2 numbers where the first number, which ranges from 0 to 6, is the solid IP rating that shows the resistance against solid objects. The second number that ranges from 0 to 8 indicates the protection against water.

DOWNLOAD our IP Rating Chart to learn more.

What are the Differences Between the commonly sold IP65, IP67 & IP68 lights?

Having a look at the chart in figure 1, IP65, IP67 & IP68 lights are protected against the highest levels of solids and dust, but the variation comes with the protection against liquids.

IP65
These are lights that are water resistant and are protected against water jets from any angle. However, they cannot be submerged as these lights are not waterproof. IP65 lights can be considered for both domestic and commercial use.

IP67
These lights are water resistant and are protected against the events of temporary submersion (10 minutes). These lights cannot be submerged for extended periods as they are not waterproof. IP67 lights can also be used for both domestic and commercial use.

IP68
These are waterproof lights that are protected against the events of permanent submersion, up to 3 meters. IP68 lights can also be used for both domestic and commercial use.

The table below indicates where lights with low and high IP ratings should be installed:

What is IP69K?

The IP69K rating allows for protection against the ingress of dust and high temperature, high-pressure water. These lights are ideal for areas where equipment is required to be carefully sanitized.

In industries such as food processing, where hygiene and cleanliness is of importance, equipment will have to be able to withstand rigorous high pressure, high temperature wash-down procedures.

In many industries, dust and dirt may be an issue, therefore, it is vital that dust cannot penetrate the casing of a product and cause it to fail.

What are the Advantages of IP69K?

In industries that have environments which require heavy wash-down, such as the food processing industry, the combination of water, chemicals, high pressures, and temperatures can prove fatal for electronic circuits and instrumentation. The IP69K rating indicates that the required equipment has undergone essential tests to indicate that it is both durable and resistant, thus conforming to the highest protection rating on the scale.

READ | Benefits of changing to LED lighting