IP65 vs IP68: What It Means for Outdoor Lighting

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.

IP = Ingress Protection

IP68 = Submersion-Rated

Pressure-Wash Safe

IllumiTrim Uses IP68

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 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.

What's the difference between IP65 and IP68 outdoor lighting?

Both numbers come from the IP (Ingress Protection) rating. The second digit is the water-resistance scale. IP65 means the fixture resists low-pressure water jets and rain but is not rated for submersion. IP68 — the highest consumer rating — means it's sealed against continuous submersion in water. For permanent, fully exposed outdoor lighting in Florida, IP68 is the meaningful standard; IP65 connectors are commonly reported to fail after heavy rain.

Is IP65 good enough for permanent outdoor lights in Florida?

For a permanent, fully exposed installation in Central Florida's climate, IP65 is a risk. Florida gets frequent heavy downpours and standing water, and IP65 is only rated for water jets/rain — not submersion. Water intrusion at IP65 connectors is one of the most common failure points reported on DIY permanent-light kits.

Can IP68 lights be pressure-washed?

Yes. Because IP68 nodes are fully sealed against submersion, they can be pressure-washed along with the rest of the home's exterior without damaging the lights — something you should never do with IP65-rated fixtures.

What IP rating does IllumiTrim use?

IllumiTrim specifies IP68 on every node, with no exceptions. It's the highest consumer waterproof rating and the reason the system holds up through Florida storms season after season. See the full comparison on our Permanent Lighting vs. DIY page.

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.

✓ IP68 Rated

✓ RGBW True White

✓ 3-Year Warranty

✓ Licensed & Insured

✓ Family Owned · Clermont FL