When shopping for infrared heaters, especially for bathrooms or outdoor spaces, you’ll see something called an IP Rating on the spec sheet — but what does it mean?
An IP Rating (Ingress Protection Rating) is an international standard created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It shows how well an electrical product is protected against solid objects (like dust or tools) and liquids (like rain or water spray).
Knowing the IP rating helps you choose a product that’s safe, durable, and fit for where you’ll use it — whether that’s indoors, outdoors, or in a moisture-heavy bathroom.
How to Read an IP Rating
An IP rating is usually written as IPXY:
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X = protection against solid objects and dust
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Y = protection against water
The First Digit – Solid Protection
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0 – No protection.
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1–4 – Protected against large objects, from hands down to small tools.
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5 – Dust protected (limited ingress allowed, no harmful effect).
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6 – Dust-tight (no ingress at all).
The Second Digit – Water Protection
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0 – No protection.
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1–4 – Protected against light splashes or drips.
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5 – Protected against low-pressure water jets.
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6 – Protected against high-pressure water jets.
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7 – Protected against immersion up to 1 metre.
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8 – Protected against long-term immersion.
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9 – Protected against close-range, high-pressure, high-temperature jets.
What’s the Safest Outdoor Heater?
For outdoor heating, look for at least IP65 — fully dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets. This means it can handle rain, splashes, and windy weather without damage.
Our Outdoor Infrared Heater Bars are IP65-rated and built for year-round weather resistance.
What IP Rating Do I Need for My Bathroom?
Bathrooms are high-moisture areas, so your heater’s IP rating depends on where it’s installed:
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Zone 1 (above bath/shower) – IP65 or higher
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Zone 2 (near sinks or baths) – IP44 or higher
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Outside Zones – IPX0–IPX4, depending on proximity to water
Our Smart Infrared Panels with IP65 are ideal — splash-proof, safe, and easy to mount.
You can read more about Bathroom Electrical Safety Zones here.
The Bottom Line
The higher the IP rating, the better the protection. For wet or dusty environments, always choose a product designed to handle the conditions. It’s not just about safety — it’s about long-term reliability.
