Industry Insight

Outdoor does not begin and end with an IP rating

Ingress protection is important, but drainage, connectors, temperature, mounting and maintenance all affect an outdoor system.

An IP rating describes resistance to solid objects and water under defined test conditions. It does not confirm that a product is suitable for every outdoor situation.

Read the complete installation guidance

Orientation, ventilation and drainage paths can change how water behaves around an enclosure.

Connections are part of the enclosure

The system is only as protected as its cable entries, mating connectors and unused ports. Correctly assembled compatible connectors matter.

Consider the full environment

Temperature, condensation, salt, dust, UV exposure and wind loading may all be relevant. Temporary event use and permanent installation also create different maintenance needs.

Use the IP rating as one piece of evidence, not as the entire design decision.

Where mounting, structure or electrical supply requires professional judgement, the customer should be routed to the appropriate specialist.

From the Prolight catalogue

Products in this article

Elumen8 · MIRR23

MR350 IP65 DMX Heavy Duty Mirror Ball Rotator up to 2m 350kg WLL

Lighting / Mirror Balls

£854.17 SSPView product ↗
Laserworld · LW0095

DS-30.000 IP65 FB4 Diode Series Laser

Lighting / Laser Systems / Laserworld Diode Series

£4,220.00 SSPView product ↗
Global Truss · GL3052

Self Locking Easy Clamp Outdoor Black (5073OUTDOOR-1B)

Clamps and Couplers / Easy Clamps

£17.50 SSPView product ↗
Global Truss · GL3051

Half Coupler Outdoor Black (823OUTDOOR-B)

Clamps and Couplers / Half Couplers

£15.83 SSPView product ↗