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IP67 vs IP68 LED Power Supplies: Application Guide
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Click here to download PDFChoosing an outdoor LED power supply is not simply a choice between two waterproof labels. The right decision depends on where the driver is installed, how water reaches it, and the operating conditions specified for the exact model. This guide explains how to apply IP67 and IP68 ratings to signage, architectural lighting, landscape lighting, and projects near pools or fountains.
In this article
What IP67 and IP68 actually tell you
The IP code defined by IEC 60529 describes enclosure protection. Both IP67 and IP68 use the first digit 6 for dust-tight protection. The final digit describes a water-ingress test, not a complete guarantee for every outdoor environment.
- IP67: protection against temporary immersion under defined test conditions, commonly summarized as up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.
- IP68: protection against continuous immersion under conditions specified for the equipment. The applicable water depth, duration, and operating restrictions must be checked with the manufacturer.
Do not interpret IP68 as unlimited underwater operation. A driver's documentation may impose restrictions on powered immersion, installation position, or prolonged exposure. An IP rating alone also does not establish resistance to salt water, chlorine, cleaning chemicals, ultraviolet exposure, or corrosion. Immersion ratings do not automatically establish suitability for high-pressure water jets.
Start with the installation location, not the application name
Two outdoor signs can need different protection. One has a driver inside a ventilated, drained enclosure above ground; another has a driver in a low compartment that may collect water. The same distinction applies to facade and landscape lighting. Identify normal exposure and foreseeable flooding before selecting the power supply.
| Installation scenario | Selection approach | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor signage or architectural lighting, driver above ground with drainage | An IP67 model may be appropriate when its installation instructions allow the exposure. | Protect connections and prevent trapped water; verify rain and spray suitability. |
| Low-mounted landscape lighting or a compartment exposed to temporary flooding | Consider an IP68 model with documented conditions that cover the expected exposure. | Improve placement and drainage rather than relying on the rating alone. |
| Lighting around a swimming pool or fountain, driver outside the water | Select for the actual splash, humidity, chemical, and electrical requirements at the driver's location. | A waterproof LED load does not mean its mains-powered driver should be submerged. |
| Driver intentionally installed underwater | Use only equipment explicitly approved for that use and the intended powered operating conditions. | IP68 alone is insufficient evidence of suitability for a pool, fountain, or permanent underwater installation. |
| Industrial washdown or high-pressure cleaning | Check the required jet-water protection and chemical compatibility separately. | Do not substitute an immersion rating for a washdown rating. |
IP67 for signage and above-ground outdoor lighting
For many LED signs, channel letters, and facade installations, the practical priority is to keep the power supply away from standing water. Mount it in the location and orientation permitted by its instructions, provide drainage, and protect it from direct exposure when required. IP67 can be a useful enclosure specification, but the complete installation still needs suitable cables, junction boxes, and sealed terminations.
Do not put a sealed driver in an unventilated box without checking temperature limits. Waterproof construction does not remove heat-dissipation requirements. Confirm the permitted ambient temperature, case-temperature limit, and output derating for the chosen model.
IP68 when immersion exposure needs closer evaluation
IP68 becomes relevant when the installation may face immersion conditions beyond the temporary-immersion test associated with IP67. Before approving a model, obtain its stated test conditions and installation restrictions. Ask whether the evidence covers powered operation, the expected depth and duration, and the water environment of the project.
Where possible, relocate a driver above the flood level. Better placement can reduce both water exposure and maintenance difficulty. A higher enclosure rating should complement sound installation design, not compensate for an avoidable water trap.
Pool and fountain projects need a system-level decision
Separate the location of the light from the location of its power supply. A project may use underwater luminaires while keeping the driver in a suitable dry service area. If a driver is proposed for direct immersion, obtain explicit model-specific approval and supporting documentation before specifying it.
Pool and fountain installations also require appropriate electrical protection, isolation, cable routing, and compliance with applicable local rules. Have a qualified installer assess the complete system. Neither IP67 nor IP68 by itself establishes electrical safety approval or compatibility with treated water.
Check more than the waterproof rating
- Electrical match: verify constant-voltage or constant-current operation, output voltage or current, load power, and any dimming requirements.
- Thermal performance: check operating temperature, mounting clearance, and derating rather than applying an assumed universal power margin.
- Connections: use appropriate sealed terminations, glands, strain relief, and drip loops where specified. The enclosure rating does not automatically extend to a field-made cable joint.
- Project evidence: check the exact model's datasheet, certifications required by the project, installation instructions, and warranty conditions.
Select a Hyrite power supply for your project
Explore Hyrite outdoor waterproof LED power supplies or use the product selection hub to compare product families. For model selection, provide the LED load, supply voltage, driver location, temperature, and expected water exposure. Contact info-req@hyrite.com or send a project enquiry to confirm the relevant model documentation.
Bottom line: choose IP67 or IP68 against the actual installation conditions. For IP68, always confirm what the manufacturer permits; do not assume the label authorizes permanent underwater use.
Reference
IEC 60529: Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code). This is a general selection guide, not a model-specific immersion approval or installation instruction.
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