IP65 vs IP68 — What the Rating Means
A homeowner's guide to outdoor-lighting waterproof ratings: what the IP numbers mean, how IP65 and IP68 differ, and why IP68 is the standard that survives Central Florida weather.
What an IP rating actually
tells you about waterproofing.
"IP" stands for Ingress Protection. The rating has two digits: the first is protection against solids (dust), and the second — the one that matters for outdoor lighting — is protection against water. The higher the second number, the more water the fixture can take.
IP65 and IP68 sit at very different points on that scale. IP65 resists low-pressure water jets and rain. IP68, the highest commonly available consumer rating, is sealed against continuous submersion. For lighting that lives fully exposed on a Florida roofline year-round, that gap decides whether the system lasts.
IP65 vs IP68 for outdoor lighting.
| IP65 | IP68 | |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | Protected against low-pressure water jets / rain | Protected against continuous submersion in water |
| Florida downpours | Can let water in at connectors over time | Fully sealed — handles heavy, sustained rain |
| Standing / pooling water | Not rated for submersion | Rated for submersion |
| Pressure washing | Risky — can force water past seals | Safe to pressure-wash |
| Best use | Covered or low-exposure spots | Permanent, fully exposed rooflines & eaves |
| What IllumiTrim installs | — | IP68 on every node, always |
In Central Florida, the rating is the product.
Clermont and the surrounding Central Florida area see frequent, heavy summer storms and high humidity. A permanent system mounted on your eaves is exposed to all of it. With IP65, water can work past the seals at connectors over time — the single most common failure reported on DIY kits. With IP68, the nodes are sealed against submersion, so the same weather is a non-event.
That's why IllumiTrim uses IP68 on every node. It also means the lights are safe to pressure-wash along with the rest of the house. For the broader professional-vs-DIY breakdown, see Permanent Lighting vs. DIY.
Answered plainly.
Want the IP68 standard
on your home?
See the sealed IP68 system live at a free in-home demo. Colton brings the actual nodes to your eave so you can see the build quality up close.