IP RATING IN LIGHTING- MEANING AND IMPORTANCE
A lot of us have come across the word IP Rating in the past not just on lighting fixtures but also on electronics. I have come across it too but until recently, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. Generally, the IP Rating of any appliance means how adaptable the appliance is to solid and liquid. IP Rating which stands for ‘Ingress Protection’ is usually written in two digit codes. The first digit represents how much protection the device/appliance has against dust. The second digit code on the other hand represents how much protection the device has against water or moisture. At the end of this post, we would be able to make more informed and wiser choices of lighting fixtures we intend to use while filming in special locations.
IP RATING AS A GAFFER
In lighting IP Ratings also mean the same as on other appliances. The IP Rating of a lighting fixture simply tells us how adaptable the lighting fixture is in dry and wet weather condition as well as to solid and liquid. The higher the IP Rating of a lighting fixture, the better adaptable the fixture is. The digit codes used to indicate IP Ratings usually range from 0 to 9. The higher the value of each digit code, the more the protection. For instance, a fixture with an IP Rating of 55 is fairly dust tight and can fairly withstand water. On the other hand, a fixture with IP Rating of 67 is dust tight and can withstand temporary immersion in water. Check out the chart below for more information on the meaning of each digit code.
In film sets, lighting fixtures are usually exposed to different unfriendly environmental factors like dust and even rain. Choosing lighting fixtures with a high IP Rating can help ensure that your fixture is well protected and will function at its maximum capacity. Imagine being hired as a gaffer for a film shoot in a desert, It would be best to pick lighting fixtures that have a high protection against dust hence fixtures with high first digit codes. Up until recently, lights used in rain needed to be covered so it doesn’t get damaged. With the advancement of technology, one can simply shoot in the rain with fixtures that aren’t covered. Lighting fixtures with higher IP Ratings have a competitive advantage hence manufacturers strive to see this feature is considered.
POPULAR LIGHTING FIXTURES AND THEIR DIFFERENT IP RATING
| SN | LIGHTING FIXTURE | IP RATING |
| 1. | APUTURE 600D/ 1200D | IP54 |
| 2. | ARRI SKY PANEL X | IP66 |
| 3. | FILMGEARS TASHAN 1000/1500C | IP65 |
| 4. | NANLUX EVOKE 900C | IP55 |
| 5. | CREAMSOURCE’S VORTEX 8 | 1P65 |
When we put our knowledge of IP Rating to use, we make lighting choices that suit our shoot environment. Next time you have a shoot in the desert or by the riverbank, I’m positive you know the perfect fixture to pick.
203 comments