Outdoor lighting takes more punishment than indoor lighting. Sun, rain, heat, cold, salt air, insects, vandals—the hazards are numerous.

Getting outdoor LED specifications right means understanding what you’re protecting against and matching products to conditions.

Understanding IP Ratings

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings tell you what a fitting can withstand. The two-digit code indicates protection against solids and liquids.

First Digit: Solid Objects

• 0: No protection
• 1: Objects >50mm (hand)
• 2: Objects >12.5mm (finger)
• 3: Objects >2.5mm (tools, wires)
• 4: Objects >1mm (most wires, screws)
• 5: Dust protected (limited ingress)
• 6: Dust tight (no ingress)

Second Digit: Liquids

• 0: No protection
• 1: Vertical drops
• 2: Drips at 15° angle
• 3: Spray at 60° angle
• 4: Splashes from any direction
• 5: Water jets
• 6: Powerful water jets
• 7: Temporary immersion (1m for 30 min)
• 8: Continuous immersion

Common Outdoor Ratings

IP44: Protected against splashes. Minimum for outdoor covered areas.

IP54: Dust protected and splash resistant. Suitable for most outdoor canopy applications.

IP65: Dust tight and protected against water jets. Good for exposed outdoor use.

IP66: Dust tight and protected against powerful water jets. Suitable for harsh conditions, wash-down areas.

IP67: Can survive temporary immersion. For fittings near water features or flood-prone areas.

Matching Rating to Application

Covered Outdoor Areas

Verandas, awnings, covered walkways—protected from direct rain but exposed to humidity and temperature swings.

Recommended: IP54 minimum. IP65 preferred for coastal or dusty areas.

Fully Exposed

Wall packs, pole-mounted area lights, bollards, floodlights—directly exposed to weather.

Recommended: IP65 minimum. IP66 for exposed coastal or industrial sites.

In-Ground and Underwater

Driveway uplights, pool lighting, fountain lights.

Recommended: IP67 for in-ground. IP68 for underwater (check specific immersion depth ratings).

Coastal Environments

Salt air corrodes standard fittings quickly. Stainless steel hardware, marine-grade finishes, and sealed housings are essential.

Recommended: IP66 with corrosion-resistant materials. Some manufacturers have specific marine ranges.

IK Ratings: Impact Resistance

IP protects against ingress. IK protects against impact—important for vandal-prone areas.

• IK08: 5 joules impact (adequate for most commercial)
• IK10: 20 joules impact (high vandal resistance)

Car parks, public areas, and any location accessible to the public should consider IK ratings. A beautiful IP66 floodlight is useless if someone smashes the lens.

Material Considerations

Housing Materials

Aluminium: Common, lightweight, good heat dissipation. Susceptible to corrosion in salt air unless properly treated.

Die-cast aluminium: Stronger than extruded aluminium. Standard for quality outdoor fittings.

Polycarbonate: Impact resistant, lightweight, cheaper. May yellow with UV exposure over time.

Stainless steel: Corrosion resistant, durable, expensive. Used for marine and food processing environments.

Gaskets and Seals

Silicone and EPDM rubber gaskets provide weatherproofing. These degrade over time with UV exposure. Quality fittings use UV-stabilised materials.

Cheap fittings might pass IP testing when new but fail after a few years of sun exposure. Ask about gasket materials and expected service life.

Lens Materials

Glass: Durable, UV stable, heavier, can shatter.

Polycarbonate: Impact resistant, lighter, may scratch or yellow over time.

Tempered glass: Combines durability with safety (if broken, fragments rather than sharp shards).

For high-quality installations, I prefer tempered glass lenses. The long-term clarity and durability justify the cost.

Installation Best Practices

Water Drainage

Even IP65-rated fittings can have problems if water pools around them. Ensure:

• Mounting surfaces drain water away
• Cable entries are positioned to prevent water tracking down cables into the fitting
• Weep holes (if present) aren’t blocked

Cable Entry

This is where many outdoor fittings fail their IP rating in practice. The fitting itself might be IP65, but if the cable gland isn’t installed correctly, water gets in.

• Use cable glands rated for the same IP as the fitting
• Ensure correct cable diameter for the gland
• Don’t overtighten (damages the seal) or undertighten (loose seal)
• Apply thread sealant if recommended by manufacturer

Thermal Management

Outdoor fittings deal with wide temperature ranges. In a black fitting on a north-facing wall, internal temperatures can be extreme.

• Check the fitting’s ambient temperature rating
• Allow air circulation around enclosed fittings
• Consider the orientation relative to sun exposure
• Quality fittings have thermal protection (dimming or shutdown if overheating)

Electrical Protection

Outdoor circuits should have:

• RCD (residual current device) protection
• Appropriate overcurrent protection
• Properly rated enclosures for any junction boxes
• Cables suitable for outdoor use (UV-resistant sheathing)

Specific Applications

Car Parks

Typically pole-mounted or wall-mounted area lights. Key considerations:

• Light distribution (wide coverage per fitting reduces quantity)
• Mounting height affects uniformity
• Vandal resistance where accessible
• Emergency lighting integration for covered areas

Loading Docks

High-bay or floodlight styles. Need to illuminate vertical truck faces and interior. Often switched or automated with dock activity.

Building Facades

Architectural lighting—wall washing, feature lighting, signage illumination. Colour temperature and beam angles critical for aesthetics.

Perimeter Security

Even illumination for CCTV coverage. Fittings positioned to avoid creating hiding shadows. May integrate with security systems for activation.

Landscape Lighting

Bollards, path lights, uplights, garden spots. Lower wattages, often 12V or 24V systems. Emphasise colour rendering for plant materials.

Rebate Considerations

Outdoor lighting can qualify for ESC/VEEC/REES programs if replacing less efficient technology. The calculations are similar to indoor lighting.

External security lighting running dusk-to-dawn generates more certificates than occasional-use decorative lighting. Prioritise high-usage applications for best rebate value.

Maintenance Planning

Outdoor fittings need periodic attention:

• Lens cleaning (dirt and insects reduce output)
• Seal inspection (looking for degradation)
• Electrical connection checks
• Mounting hardware inspection

LED longevity doesn’t mean zero maintenance. Plan for annual inspections at minimum.

The Specification Checklist

When specifying outdoor LED lighting, confirm:

• IP rating appropriate for exposure level
• IK rating appropriate for vandal risk
• Materials suitable for environment (especially coastal)
• Temperature rating suitable for location
• Driver quality adequate
• Optics/distribution matched to application
• Emergency function if required
• Control compatibility (photocell, timer, BMS)
• Warranty terms and exclusions
• Compliance with Australian standards

Get these right, and outdoor LED lighting delivers years of reliable service. Get them wrong, and you’re replacing fittings prematurely.

Take the time to specify properly.