"IP20 strips belong indoors in dry conditions. Every outdoor cove, humid zone, wet area, pool perimeter and submerged installation demands a properly rated strip — one that has been engineered for the environment, not retrofitted with tape. Specify IP65 or IP68 from the outset."

IP65 vs IP68 — The Right Rating for the Right Location

IP65
Silicone Coated · Splash-Proof · Outdoor Sheltered

Protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction. A conformal silicone coating encases the PCB and LED chips, sealing against moisture, humidity and dust ingress.

  • Covered outdoor facades & coves
  • Bathroom and wet room perimeters
  • Outdoor kitchens and bar coves
  • Humid interior environments
  • LED aluminium profiles in sheltered outdoor
  • NOT for submersion or direct rain
IP68
Fully Submersible · Pool · Pond · Fountain

Sealed against continuous submersion in water. A thick gel-filled tube or full epoxy encapsulation surrounds the entire strip, preventing water penetration at depth over extended periods.

  • Swimming pool perimeters & walls
  • Pond, fountain & water feature lighting
  • Outdoor ground-level landscape channels
  • Fully exposed outdoor installations
  • Splash zones & rain-exposed facades
  • Any application where IP65 is marginal
💧

IP65 — What the Rating Means

First digit 6 = total dust protection. Second digit 5 = protected against water jets (12.5 l/min from any angle, 3 minutes). Suitable for humid, splash and sheltered outdoor use. Not rated for immersion.

🏊

IP68 — What the Rating Means

First digit 6 = total dust protection. Second digit 8 = continuous submersion beyond 1 metre depth (exact depth and duration specified by manufacturer). Suitable for pools, ponds and fully submerged applications at 24V SELV.

Complete Specification Reference

All strips: SMD 2835 · 24V DC · 24–26 lm/LED · CRI 80+

IP65 — Silicone Coated Strip
CodeLED/mPCBPower/mCCT / Colour
2835-24V1205mm10W4K, 3K, 27K
2835-24V1685mm12W4K, 3K, 27K
2835-24V1208mm10W4K, 3K, 27K
2835-24V1688mm15W3K
2835-24V24010mm20W4K, 3K, 27K
IP68 — Fully Submersible Strip
CodeLED/mPCBPower/mCCT / Colour
2835-24V1685mm12W3K
2835-24V1208mm10W3K, 27K
2835-24V1688mm15W3K, 27K
2835-24V24010mm20W3K, 27K
2835-24V12010mm12WRGB
2835-24V24012mm12W3CCT Tunable
5050-24V6012mm15WRGB + WW

CCT note for IP68: Warm whites (2700K–3000K) dominate the IP68 specification range — because pools, ponds and water features typically call for warm, intimate lighting rather than clinical cool whites. The 3CCT tunable IP68 strip on 12mm PCB provides flexibility for projects requiring multiple temperature presets from one strip. RGB and RGB+WW IP68 are specified for pool colour wash and dynamic water feature lighting.

Safety at 24V: All strips in this range operate at 24V DC — SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage). Contact with the strip output does not present a shock hazard under normal conditions, making 24V the correct specification for wet area and submersible LED lighting. The power supply must be installed outside the wet zone and must carry appropriate IP and safety ratings for its location.

Specification Advantages

🌧️
IP65 Silicone Coat
Conformal silicone coating seals the PCB and LED chips. Resistant to humidity, condensation, cleaning chemicals and low-pressure water jets.
🏊
IP68 Full Submersion
Thick gel-tube or epoxy encapsulation. Rated for continuous submersion. The only correct specification for pool, pond and submerged applications.
⚡
24V SELV — Water Safe
Safety Extra Low Voltage output. No shock hazard at the strip surface under normal conditions. Correct specification for all wet area LED lighting.
🌈
White, CCT & RGB
IP68 range covers single white, tunable CCT, RGB and RGB+WW — the same colour versatility as the dry range, now fully waterproof.
📐
5mm to 12mm PCB
Full profile channel compatibility retained. Waterproof strips fit the same aluminium extrusions as the IP20 range — no special profile required for IP65.
🏅
CRI 80+ Consistent
CRI 80+ minimum across all waterproof variants. Warm whites at 2700K and 3000K are the most common specifications for pool and hospitality wet zones.

Project Applications

IP65 and IP68 specified by environment, not by preference:

🏠
Bathroom Coves
IP65 for mirror surrounds, shower niches and ceiling coves in humid bathrooms and wet rooms.
🏗️
Covered Facade
IP65 for sheltered outdoor building facades, covered walkways and under-eave cove lighting.
🍳
Outdoor Kitchen
IP65 for covered outdoor kitchen coves, BBQ areas and bar undershelves exposed to steam and splashes.
🌿
Sheltered Landscape
IP65 for covered pergola lighting, sheltered planter wall coves and outdoor profiles with rain cover.
🏊
Swimming Pools
IP68 for pool wall perimeters, steps and under-water accent lines. RGB for colour wash effects.
🪷
Ponds & Fountains
IP68 submerged in ponds, ornamental water features and illuminated fountain channels.
🌧️
Exposed Outdoor Facade
IP68 for rain-exposed building facades, open-air architectural coves and roof-line LED runs with no housing.
🌱
Landscape Channels
IP68 in ground-level drainage channels, pavement slots and garden path profiles exposed to rain and irrigation.

Technical Questions

What is the difference between IP65 and IP68?
IP65 is protected against water jets from any direction — suitable for splash zones, humid areas and sheltered outdoor use. IP65 strips are not designed for submersion. IP68 is rated for continuous submersion beyond 1 metre depth — specified for pools, ponds, fountains and fully submerged applications. When in doubt, IP68 is always the safer specification.
Can IP65 LED strips be used outdoors?
Yes — in sheltered outdoor locations. Under eaves, inside weatherproof aluminium profiles, covered facades and outdoor kitchen coves. IP65 is not suitable for direct rain exposure without a housing, and not suitable for submersion. For exposed outdoor installations, specify IP68.
Are IP68 strips safe for use in swimming pools?
Yes. These strips operate at 24V DC — SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) — which does not present a shock hazard at the strip surface under normal conditions. Always install the power supply outside the wet zone and follow applicable local electrical codes for wet area low-voltage lighting.
What PCB widths are available in IP65 and IP68?
IP65: 5mm, 8mm and 10mm PCB. IP68: 5mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm PCB. The 12mm IP68 strips carry the 3CCT tunable and RGB+WW configurations. All PCB widths maintain compatibility with standard LED aluminium profile channels.
Can IP68 strips be used in outdoor landscape lighting?
Yes. IP68 is the correct specification for any outdoor LED strip where water ingress from rain, irrigation or flooding is a risk — in-ground channel lighting, planter wall coves, pond perimeters and garden path lighting. The complete seal provides protection in any weather condition without additional housing.