IP Rating:
IP or “Ingress Protection” ratings are crucial to outdoor lighting applications because they represent a more accurate means of classifying a fixtures ability to stop the ingress of solid particles (dust and dirt) and water in the form of rain, a hose (cleaning or watering foliage) or total submersion. The first digit in an IP rating refers to how dust proof a fixture is and the second digit refers to how waterproof a fixture is. The two numbers combined will depict the likelihood of foreign objects getting into the light fitting and possibly damaging the sensitive electronics inside. The higher the protection numbers in the chart (see example below), the greater the protection from ingress. Lower numbered fixtures are typically better suited for inside, carpeted areas like offices, waiting rooms or schools.
BUG Rating:
BUG stands for “Backlight”, “Uplight” and “Glare.” The acronym describes the types of stray light escaping from an outdoor lighting luminaire. Backlight is the light directed in back of the mounting pole, uplight is the light directed above the horizontal plane of the luminaire, and glare is the amount of light emitted from the luminaire at angles known to cause glare. It is expected that BUG values will be published by luminaire manufacturers so lighting specifiers, designers or purchasers can tell at a glance how well a certain luminaire controls stray light or compares with other luminaires under consideration for an installation. The BUG system was developed by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) to make comparing and evaluating outdoor luminaires fast, easy and more comprehensive, than older systems.
For more detailed information on the BUG rating, please visit this guide from the International Dark-Sky Association. See also the chart below that defines the various light angles of acceptable and stray light.
Our team of engineers at Norlux are experts in LED lighting for outdoor applications. Please contact us to discuss your LED based outdoor projects today.
Reference:
International Dark-Sky Association: volume 2: issue 1 : 2009: (BUG Illustration and Information)
http://www.aal.net/content/resources/files/BUG_rating.pdf