Waterproof is the basic requirement for Outdoor Solar Lights products.

Outdoor solar lights are commonly used as outdoor applications. Water is inevitable cannot be avoided in outdoor locations. Therefore, a relatively higher level of waterproofing is required in order to achieve better performance in such environmental conditions. Often, we come across the label of IP65, IP66, and even IP67 in product packing. So, is the higher the waterproof level, the better for the product?

(1) Waterproof is Necessary for Solar Outdoor Products

For the above question, first, we need to understand why waterproofing is needed. During the long-term use of outdoor solar lamps, some liquid usually will condense on the solar-powered products due to the influence of day and night temperature changes. As we know that from middle school, when gas or vapor condenses or is condensed, it changes into a liquid.
In addition, the water of rainfall will splash directly onto the solar light product. If typhoons or hurricanes patronize to an area, then strong storms will bring water to try to destroy products exposed in unsheltered place. Therefore, there must be a sufficiently strong level of waterproof for the outdoor lighting system.

(2) Understand Waterproof Standards to Facilitate Product Selection

In this regard, we need to understand what the standard of waterproofing is. What kind of impact can each level of waterproof protect against for outdoor solar lighting?

For example, there is a product with IP65 label. Let’s see the meaning of IP, 6, 5 respectively.

The IP (INGRESS PROTECTION) protection level system was drafted by the IEC (INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION), which classifies electrical appliances according to their dust and moisture resistance characteristics. The IP protection level mark is composed of two numbers.
The first number indicates the level of the appliance to prevent dust and foreign objects from invading. The foreign objects include tools, fingers of human beings, and other small objects. All these objects can not touch any area that contains electricity insider the electrical appliance, outdoor solar LED lights, to avoid electric shock.
The second number indicates the tightness of the appliance against moisture and water. The higher the number, the higher the protection level.

As an example, IP65 Solar LED Street Lights – IP rated as totally dust particulate protected and against water projected from a spray nozzle.

(3) General Advice When Selecting the Product Waterproof Level

High waterproof rating means a high manufacturing cost naturally. In order to deal with extreme weather that may encounter, expensive outdoor solar lights products with high waterproof rating are the utmost choices.
A) If there is not much storm and rain in an area and it is not a place often by typhoons/hurricanes, you can choose a solar outside lights product with a lower waterproof level of course. In desert zone of North Africa and the Middle East, the waterproof rating can be relatively low. All our products can meet the weather conditions in these places. For example, the S2 series can easily handle the conditions.
B) If it is in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, or the Pacific Islands, then high grade waterproof products need to be considered.

Waterproofing can reduce the risk of corrosion caused by water infiltration. However, according to our industrial experience, corrosion protection is the biggest issue for products used by the sea. After the metal is corroded, the water resistance is deemed to be poor, Waterproof becomes meaningless, regardless of how high the waterproof level has been made previously.

For this reason, it is critical that we shall choose the proper raw materials of the product and control the following manufacturing process. Efforts to this end, we have also particularly strengthened our investment in materials and processes to ensure that the products can meet the different applications of users. For instance, the battery case is water-resistant with an IP68 rating. Other companies will not put so much effort into adopting high standard process in components that cannot be seen by the naked eye of customers. Our S2 and S3 series solar powered led outdoor lights products are equipped with an IP68 waterproof batteries box as standard.

From this point, waterproof rating is a momentous aspect of product selection. But it is not the only criterion for selection. Comprehensive consideration of all aspects of the product is always the safe way. As for how to better choose the suitable solar led lights product, we are happy to provide our expertized solution in this regard.