Don’t Let Water Ruin Your Signs – Pick the Right IP LEDs for Your Project
Indoor or Outdoor?
Whether you’re a sign maker, a shopfitter, or anyone handling LEDs, it’s easy to focus on the usual things when picking LEDs: colour, brightness, and voltage.
But there’s another super important factor you might overlook: where your LED project will live. Is it indoors or braving the outdoors? That choice can totally change which LED is right for you.
So, how do you pick the best LED for indoor and outdoor use? Let’s break it down.
What’s an IP Rating, Anyway?
You might have seen IPxx on electronic products before. That’s short for Ingress Protection, and it’s basically a way to show how well a device can handle dust and water.
In other words, IP ratings tell you if your LED is happy inside a cozy room, or tough enough to survive rain, wind, and sun outside.
How Do Those Numbers Work?
The two digits after “IP” each have a job:
- First digit → protection against solid stuff like dust (0–6)
- Second digit → protection against water (0–8)
See the picture below! to help you see everything clearly, we’ve included a simple IP rating chart that shows what each number means and where each LED can be used .💡
IP Rating Chart Source: Adapted from igus Ingress Protection Ratings Chart
Quick Breakdown !
IP20 ~ IP22, IP60, IP64 (Zigzag) → For indoor use only.
IP65 ~ IP68 → For indoor and outdoor use, as weatherproof.
Here's Some Attention! - An IP67 or IP68 rating doesn’t mean the product is 100% waterproof.
Out in the field, real-world conditions can still allow water to sneak in — especially during outdoor installations. That’s why experienced installers often add extra protection on top of the IP rating.
So, what does that look like in practice? Here are two of the most common and effective steps:
Even with high-IP LEDs, front-lit channel letters can collect water inside. Flowing rain isn’t usually a problem, but pooled water will quickly damage LEDs. Adding a simple 3–4 mm drain hole at the bottom of each letter allows rainwater to escape.
👉 These might seem like small details, but skipping them is one of the most common mistakes sign makers make. Taking a few extra minutes during installation can be the difference between a long-lasting sign and one that fails too soon.
Whether you are using silicone-coated LED strips (IP67), many people cut the strip to their desired length and solder the wires at the end, but then leave the end open without sealing it. This should never be done. To protect the strip, you need to properly seal the cut end as follows:
Fill the End Cap with Silicone Sealant and attach it securely to create a watertight seal. This prevents water or dust from entering the strip through the exposed end.
(Optional) For a heavy-duty seal, apply a heat-shrink tube over the end cap for extra protection.
As we’ve discussed, IP ratings are an important guide to understanding the dust and water protection of your LED products. But even high ratings like IP67 or IP68 don’t always guarantee perfect waterproofing in real-world installations. That’s why many sign makers and installers add extra protection, such as silicone sealing or drain holes, to keep water from accumulating and ensure long-lasting performance.
Now that you understand IP ratings, you’ll be able to make more confident choices when selecting the right LED for your project.
See Our LED Product IP Range
We offer a wide range of products, from indoor-only panel LEDs, to back-lit modules with IP65–IP68, and LED strips with IP20–IP67. Whatever your project needs, we have the right solution to fit your environment and ensure your LEDs shine bright for years.
LED Strip Lighting IP Rating Range
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help make your projects safe, reliable, and long-lasting. ✨
Reference
Oresman, Kelsi. "Ingress Protection Ratings Chart." igus® Engineer's Toolbox, 25 Oct. 2021, https://toolbox.igus.com/4465/ingress-protection-ratings-chart