IP ratings and wet location ratings, explained
Outdoor, wash-down, and dusty rooms need fixtures that are built for moisture and dirt, not just bright light. Two different labels show up on commercial products: a location rating (dry, damp, or wet) and, on many fixtures, an IP rating. They are related, but they are not interchangeable. Always use the rating on the product page and the conditions at the site — not a general rule of thumb from a catalog photo.
Dry, damp, and wet location ratings
A dry-location fixture is meant for indoor rooms that stay dry. A damp-location fixture can handle moisture in the air, such as a covered but not fully weatherproof area, or a room that gets humid. A wet-location fixture is intended for places where water can hit the fixture directly, including rain and many outdoor walls, lots, and canopies. “Wet location” is a safety and installation rating. It does not automatically mean the fixture is built for a high-pressure wash-down or for standing water. If you have a wash bay, a food area, or a very dirty room, look at vapor tight lights and confirm the rating on the product page.
Outdoor families such as LED wall packs, LED flood lights, parking lot lights, LED canopy lights, and outdoor fixtures should be chosen with a wet- or damp-location rating that matches the install. A garage door opening, a barn wall, or a covered walk may not be the same environment as a fully indoor shop. See garage lighting and farm and barn lights if that is the job.
What an IP rating means
IP stands for ingress protection. The two numbers after “IP” describe how the enclosure is rated against solids (the first digit) and water (the second). A higher number in a given position means a higher stated level of protection in that test. An IP rating is useful context, but it is not a substitute for the dry/damp/wet location rating, and it is not a promise that a fixture will survive every kind of abuse on a jobsite. If a product page lists an IP rating, use that rating. If it does not, do not assume one.
This page does not assign a required IP code to every application. Coastal air, hose-down pressure, dust, and mounting position all change what is appropriate. When the environment is harsh, send photos and a short description with your lighting layout request so we are not guessing. For classified hazardous locations, a standard wet-location or vapor tight fixture is not enough — see explosion-proof lighting and confirm the listing with your electrician or engineer. Our certifications and listings page explains where to look for those marks.
Practical choices
Inside a dry warehouse or shop, an open UFO high bay, linear high bay, or shop light is often the right tool. If the same building has a wet processing room, do not reuse that open fixture there. A vapor tight or other enclosed fixture belongs in the wet or dusty room, and the rest of the building can stay on standard warehouse lights or strip lights. Commercial kitchens are another place to slow down and check the rating; our commercial kitchen lighting guide is a starting point, not a substitute for the product page.
Mounting and seals matter as much as the printed rating. A wet-location fixture that is installed with an open conduit fitting, a missing gasket, or the wrong mount can still let water in. Review fixture mounting options and follow the installation instructions. Outdoor controls such as photocells should also be chosen for the same environment; see photocells and motion sensors.
If you are unsure whether a fixture belongs outside, under a canopy, or in a wash-down room, contact us before you order. More terms are defined in the lighting glossary, and other explainers are collected on our lighting resources page. Every fixture is backed by our 5-year warranty and 60-day returns. Orders ship in 1–3 business days as described in the shipping policy.