For many electricians’ customers, April is the perfect season for a garden makeover, so it’s a great time to enlighten customers on the transformative power of IP rated outdoor lighting.
Whether it’s merely functional, for security or to create a stunning outdoor space, garden lighting has become an essential element in landscape design. For many electricians’ domestic customers, Spring reawakens the intertest in garden makeovers so it’s the perfect time to introduce IP rated outdoor lighting into your installations and show transform your client’s outdoor space.
Creating the ambience
Garden lighting is no longer about simply brightening up the night; lighting can be used for safety, spotlighting and setting a mood when the sun goes down. Pathway lighting provides a practical, decorative glow, ensuring safety. Accent lights play the role of highlighters, lighting up a garden’s most striking features whether that be water features or trees, while ambient lighting softly layers the garden, creating a warm, inviting space that encourages relaxation and comfort.
Just like a bathroom, any fixture that is used in a or wet environment should have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating that is sufficient enough to stop the entry of dust and water. IP ratings indicate the level of protection against the ingress of both solid particles (like dust and dirt) and liquids (like water) and understanding these ratings is essential because they determine how well a light fixture will stand up to the elements. Based on BS EN 60529:1992, each IP rating is denoted by two digits: the first digit (ranging from 0 to 6) indicates protection from solids while the second digit (ranging from 0 to 9) indicates protection from liquids. The higher the value of either digit, the greater the protection.
IP Ratings
- Lower IP ratings (such as those below IP44) are mostly suited only for indoor use in spaces that have virtually no exposure to dust or water, like a living room or bedroom
- Ratings between IP44 and IP65 are acceptable for both indoor and general outdoor use, provided they are installed in a sheltered location and are protected from the harshest weather conditions. IP44 for instance, ensures protection from objects over 1mm and from splashes of water, making it suitable for porch lights or protected security lighting. If there is a chance of contact with dust or liquids however, selecting a fitting with a higher IP rating will give better protection
- Light fixtures that are rated IP65 and above are considered to be waterproof and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. IP65-rated lights are dust-tight and protected against jets of water, making them suitable for outdoor settings that are exposed to various weather conditions. They are perfect for accent lights in a garden as they can be used to spotlight ancient trees or to cast a glow on pathways, adding both charm and safety to the nocturnal garden. These lights are not only more durable but also require less maintenance due to their robust construction
- Any lights that may come into contact with the ground where surface water is possible, should be a minimum of IP67
- IP68 is the highest standard for IP ratings, offering protection against long periods of immersion under pressure. Accentuating features such as ponds with IP68-rated lights, which are suitable for submersion in water, can create focal points and animate the stillness of night.
Colour change
When considering the perfect garden lighting scheme, colour-changing, smart lighting systems have become increasingly popular. These lighting systems, often LED-based and controllable via apps, allow homeowners to transform their outdoor spaces into vibrant, mood-enhancing environments. With a range of colours and programmability, these lights can be adjusted to suit any occasion, mood or setting, from serene, soft hues for a relaxing evening to bright, dynamic colours for entertaining guests. The integration of such lighting into garden designs not only highlights the natural beauty of the outdoor space but also extends its usability into the night.
Safety first
Remember that electrical safety extends to the garden, especially where there is a risk from lawn mowers and strimmers that can easily slice through cables. Bury cables where appropriate and install your outdoor lighting with RCD protection as stipulated by the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. For sockets and switches in the garden, IP66 is a minimum to work to and it should either have built in 30mA RCD protection or be on an RCD/ RCBO protected circuit.
