Commercial waterproof festoon lights for contractors, venues and distributors. Custom E27/B22, 24V/230V and OEM/ODM outdoor string light systems for UK, EU and Australia projects.
IP65 vs IP67 Festoon Lights: Differences, Use Cases & How to Judge the Complete System
IP65 means a dust-tight enclosure tested against water jets, while IP67 means a dust-tight enclosure tested against temporary immersion under standardized conditions. These are different water-test conditions, so neither marking alone proves the rating of every component in a complete festoon installation.
What IP65 and IP67 mean
IEC 60529 defines the IP code for degrees of protection provided by enclosures. The first digit describes protection against solid objects and dust; the second describes a particular water-test condition. A “6” in the first position means dust-tight in both examples below.
| Marking | First digit: solids and dust | Second digit: water test | What to check for a project |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP65 | 6 — dust-tight | 5 — water jets | Confirm the equipment’s documented jet-test result and the installation’s actual exposure. Do not assume every cleaning method or pressure is covered. |
| IP67 | 6 — dust-tight | 7 — temporary immersion under standardized pressure and time conditions | Confirm the test applies to the exact model and assembly. It is not a claim of continuous underwater use. |
The second digits describe distinct tests. If a site specification calls for both jet exposure and temporary immersion, request evidence for both conditions; do not infer one from the other. The applicable IEC standard and the European Commission’s IP-code guidance describe these enclosure classifications and water-test categories.
Which rating fits the exposure?
Start with the likely water exposure, not with “outdoor” as a general label. A festoon line installed overhead may face rain, wind-driven water or occasional maintenance spray. A low point, ground-level connection or flood-prone location may face temporary standing water. These conditions are not interchangeable, and the appropriate rating depends on the exact equipment and installation.
IP67 is not a shortcut for poor drainage, submerged connections or permanent underwater operation. IP65 is not permission to pressure-wash equipment beyond its documented test conditions. For either rating, follow the product instructions and local electrical installation requirements.
Check the complete festoon system, not just one part
An IP marking applies to the enclosure or product configuration represented by its evidence. A higher-rated driver, bulb or connector does not automatically raise the rating of the string, holders or assembled system. Before specifying a complete installation, check:
- The exact string model and voltage. A matching IP number does not establish electrical compatibility.
- Every exposed connection. Review lamp holders, bulbs, end caps, plugs, cable entries, inline connectors and any junctions.
- The driver separately. Record its own model and rating. A driver’s IP67 marking does not make the connected festoon string IP67.
- The tested configuration. Check whether the report covers the product assembled as installed, including mated connectors, seals and covers.
- Installation details. Follow instructions for orientation, cable support, drainage and sealing. Avoid layouts that let water pool around joints or fittings.
- The evidence scope. Match the report to the exact model code and confirm the tested sample and test standard; do not extend a result to unlisted variants.
If a project requires a single rating for an assembled system, ask the manufacturer for evidence for that complete configuration. A component-by-component list is useful, but it is not itself a system-level test result.
Keep product claims model-specific
WENDADECO’s available IP evidence covers listed models only; it does not establish one rating for every festoon or outdoor string-light product.
| Reported product models | Grade in the available record | Evidence scope |
|---|---|---|
WD-G50230V001–007, WD-G45230V008–012, WD-FLASH230V013–017, WD-OTHER230V018–019, and WD-OTHRE230V020 |
IP65 | Festoon string light report KEYS24022914001IP-01; the report’s model list controls. |
WD-001(9164), WD002(7604), WD-003(7873), and WD-004(9163) |
IP65 | E27 LIGHTING CHAIN report CLLH-ESH-P23061643 and attestation 2366AS09CLLH51373; 2023 submitted-sample evidence. |
WD-String001–007, WD-icicle008/009, WD-Rope010/011, WD-Curtain012, and WD-curtain013 |
IP67 | Christmas string light report RLT2606079-C01; these are not a blanket IP67 claim for festoon lights. |
WD-G5024V001 and WD-G50 24V002–028 |
IP44 | LVD report KTi260518S586; do not describe these models as IP65 or IP67. |
These results are limited to the listed models and submitted samples. The IP67 Christmas string-light models and IP65 festoon models are different product families, so the IP67 result must not be presented as a general rating for festoon lights.
The report KEYS24022914001IP-01 contains the original model spelling WD-G45230V0010 for one listed G45 variant. Confirm the exact product-code mapping against the document before using that variant in a quotation or compliance statement.
The current records also identify WD-G5024V001 and WD-G50 24V002–028 as IP44, not IP65 or IP67. For any quotation or installation, confirm that the customer’s model code maps to the evidence before stating an IP grade. Ask for the exact product code and intended exposure if you need help checking the applicable report.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP67 always better than IP65 for outdoor festoon lights?
Not automatically. IP65 describes a water-jet test, while IP67 describes temporary immersion under standardized conditions. Select against the real exposure and verify each required test for the exact model.
Does IP67 prove that a string can withstand water jets?
Do not assume so from the IP67 marking alone. If water jets are part of the requirement, ask for the corresponding jet-test evidence or a combined rating supported by the report.
If the driver is IP67, is the whole festoon system IP67?
No. The driver’s rating applies to that driver enclosure and its tested configuration. It does not establish the rating of the string, bulb holders, connectors or assembled system.
Can an IP67 festoon product stay underwater?
IP67 refers to temporary immersion under specified test conditions, not continuous underwater operation. Check the product documentation and installation requirements for the exact model.
What should I send a supplier to verify an IP claim?
Send the full model code, voltage, a photo or drawing of the assembled connections, the expected water exposure and any required IP grade. Ask for the matching test report and confirm its model scope.
Official references
- IEC 60529: Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
- European Commission guidance reproducing the IEC 60529 water-rating categories
Date: 21 October 2026
Author: Sales Manager, WENDADECO
