What is IP 20?
Asked by: Brendon Ondricka II | Last update: February 13, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (70 votes)
IP20 means an electrical product offers protection against solid objects larger than 12mm (like fingers) but has zero protection against water or liquids, making it suitable only for dry, indoor environments like living rooms, not bathrooms or outdoors where moisture is present. The "IP" stands for Ingress Protection, with the first number (2) for solids and the second (0) for liquids.
What does an IP rating of 20 mean?
An IP20 rating means the product is touchproof and will be resistant to dust or objects that are over 12mm in size. However, it has no protection whatsoever against liquids and will be susceptible to damage if it comes into contact with sprays of water.
Is IP20 ok for bathrooms?
No, IP20 means it's not dustproof and has no resistance to water or moisture. IP20-rated products and components are meant for dry indoor environments like the living room, dining room, or bedrooms. They're unsuitable for outdoor use or moist indoor environments like bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Is IP20 safe?
The IP20 rating ensures that devices or components are safe from accidental contact with large objects, making them suitable for use in many indoor environments. It offers a reliable level of protection for electronics that are not exposed to harsh outdoor conditions.
What is IP20 finger safe?
This system classifies the protection levels provided by electrical enclosures against various external factors, including solid objects and liquids. The IP20 standard specifically addresses the enclosure's ability to prevent the ingress of objects of 12.5mm size, typically equivalent to the size of an adult finger.
What Is IP20 Protection? - SecurityFirstCorp.com
Is IP20 ok for kitchen?
For the dry parts of the kitchen (places where liquids will never reach), you can use an IP20-rated fixture. Alternatively, if it's near the sink and other water sources, consider getting an IP44-rated lighting fixture.
What IP is best for a bathroom?
Beyond those areas, no IP rating is required, but electricians often recommend that lighting fixtures with an IP44 rating or better be installed in any bathroom interiors.
What IP rating is fully waterproof?
IP66 ratings are the highest level of waterproof protection. An IP68 rating is a next step up if you need the product to survive total submersion in water.
What is IP20 used for?
A product with an IP20 rating tells you that it has ingress protection up to 12.5mm against solid bodies such as fingers or dust. However, this rating also signifies that the product is not waterproof, which lets you know that it won't be suitable for outdoor applications.
What IP should a bathroom light be?
Bathroom Zones
Lights must be a minimum of IP67, which means they are protected against the effects of immersion. Zone 1: This is the area above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m from the floor.
Is it okay to put LED lights in a bathroom?
When choosing LED strip lights for your bathroom, it's important to consider a few key factors. Make sure the LED lights are rated for use in damp or wet environments, as bathrooms are prone to moisture and humidity. Choose the appropriate output type, brightness, and control method for your LED lighting strips.
Do bathrooms have to be 20 amp?
Each bathroom must have the electrical wiring and capacity for a light and an exhaust fan, at minimum. Fans are used to ventilate the bathroom area. This circuit should be a 20-amp circuit in order to accommodate both features.
Is IP20 ok for a bathroom?
Based on the current wiring regulations, IP20 rated lights can be installed outside the bathroom zones, that is, away from the reach of splashing or dripping water. Depending on the size of the bathroom, there are many spaces and areas where IP20-rated wall lights or ceiling lights can be installed.
Which is better, IP20 or IP44?
The lower the value, the worse the protection. So a fixture with a value of IP20 is barely protected against water and dust, where a IP44 fixture is protected against dust and splashing water. An IP rating of 65 or higher is completely dust- and waterproof.
What's the lowest IP rating?
The first numeral refers to the protection against solid objects and is rated on a scale from 0 (no protection) to 6 (no ingress of dust). The second numeral rates the enclosure's protection against liquids and uses a scale from 0 (no protection) to 9 (high-pressure hot water from different angles).
What's the highest waterproof rating?
The highest waterproof rating depends on the product type: for fabrics (jackets, tents), it's often considered 20,000mm+ (Hydrostatic Head), indicating extreme resistance to heavy rain and pressure, while for electronics, IP68 (or even IP69K in niche cases) offers top-tier protection against dust and continuous immersion, though IPX8 is highest for just water immersion, with IP69K being for high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, the ultimate for very specific industrial/specialty needs.
Which IP is best for swimming?
Though IP69 is the best rating for minimising damage from water and dust, IP68 is more readily available. The IP68 headphones will enable you to swim while being confident that prolonged exposure to water will not damage them.
Is IP65 or IP66 better?
Yes, IP66 is better than IP65 because while both offer complete dust protection (the first '6'), IP66 provides superior water resistance, withstanding powerful, high-pressure water jets, whereas IP65 only protects against low-pressure jets. Choose IP66 for exposed outdoor use, heavy rain, or industrial washdown areas, and IP65 for general outdoor use or sheltered conditions where only light rain or splashing is expected.
What is the best IP rating for a bathroom?
For example, Zone 0, which includes the inside of the bath or shower, requires a minimum IP rating of IP67, indicating complete protection against immersion in water. Zone 1, covering the area above the bath or shower, requires a minimum IP rating of IP44, signifying protection against water splashes.
Do I need a professional electrician for bathroom wiring?
Electrical Projects in Wet or Damp Areas
Electricity and water are a dangerous combination, and professionals should handle projects in areas prone to moisture: Kitchens and Bathrooms: These spaces have high humidity and water exposure, increasing the risk of electric shock.
Can I put a light above my shower?
Yes, you can put a light above a shower, but it must be a fixture specifically rated for wet locations (or damp, if outside the direct spray zone) to be safe from moisture, steam, and water, typically using sealed, integrated LEDs or trims with covers. Standard light fixtures are dangerous as they can fail, leading to shock or fire, so choose sealed LED trims or vapor-proof cans with a "wet-rated" label for direct shower placement.
Do all kitchen outlets need to be 20 amp?
Dedicated circuits: NEC mandates at least two 20-amp, 120-volt circuits for small kitchen appliances. The kitchen has higher power requirements for small appliances compared to other rooms in the home.
What is the 2.4 rule for kitchen outlets?
The "2-4 rule" for kitchen outlets, based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), requires that for any kitchen countertop 12 inches or wider, no point can be more than 24 inches (2 feet) from a receptacle, and receptacles must be placed no more than 48 inches (4 feet) apart, ensuring easy access for appliances and preventing reliance on extension cords.
What IP rating for in a shower?
The lower the zone number, the higher the IP rating needs to be. For example, Zone 0 covers areas inside baths or showers. These areas must have a particular minimum IP rating that protects against water immersion - in this case, IP67.