Petzl Aria 2 RGB Waterproof Headlamp

Example of a light output curve for a STANDARD LIGHTING headlamp.

Watertightness and IP Rating

A Headlamp's Watertightness is Ensured by its IP Rating

This rating classifies the level of protection offered by equipment against ingress by solids (e.g. dust) and liquids (e.g. water, oil).

Two Standards Govern the IP Rating

The IEC 60529 standard involves all electronic products, including headlamps. It defines the levels of protection against solids and liquids and describes the tests to be done depending on the product's IP rating.

The IP rating consists of two digits:

• The first digit indicates protection against solids.
  
• The second digit indicates protection against liquids. More commonly called watertightness.
  
  

Note: When a criterion has not been tested, the number is replaced by X (e.g., IPX6 indicates that the product has not been tested for solids).

ANSI/PLATO FL 1 standard defines an additional concept by giving test acceptance criteria for the IPX4, IPX7 and IPX8 ratings.

To define a headlamp IP rating, a manufacturer can rely solely on the IEC 60529 standard by defining its own test acceptance criteria, or use the acceptance criteria given in the ANSI/PLATO FL 1 standard.

What Watertightness Tests are Done on Petzl Headlamps?

To claim an IP rating on its headlamps, Petzl chose to do its testing internally. Petzl follows the test protocol defined in the IEC 60529 standard and the test acceptance criteria from the ANSI/PLATO FL1 standard.

Petzl has a test laboratory (oscillating tube, water tank and watertightness chamber) that allows the necessary tests to be done in order to determine the watertightness of a lamp.

What are the IP Ratings of Petzl Headlamps?

• All of our headlamps are at least IPX4 (weather resistant): a rating suitable for most headlamp use in rain, snow or a humid environment.
• The e+LITE® lamp is IPX7 (watertight to -1 meters for 30 minutes in fresh water).
• The DUO S lamp is IP67 (watertight to -1 meters for 30 minutes in fresh water and dust tight).

What Is An IK Rating?

The IK rating, as defined by the IEC 62262 standard, indicates the degree of protection against external mechanical impacts. In other words, the impact resistance of a product. The rating is composed of two numbers, each corresponding to a level of protection.

IP Protection Index and EMC

The IP protection index is an international standard. This index classifies the level of protection offered by equipment against intrusions by solids (e.g. dust) and liquids (e.g. water, oil).

Beam Quality

Aside from the various beam patterns, it is important to check their uniformity. Whatever the pattern, the beam of a Petzl headlamp is always uniform and therefore comfortable. Moreover, to ensure optimal lighting, the optics of our headlamps are designed with extreme precision and equipped with the highest-quality components.

The quality of the beam is totally dependent on that of the LEDs and of the optics' design. The latter is complex and requires the knowledge of an optical engineer. Petzl chose long ago to integrate these skills into its research and development teams, and also to work closely with external laboratories.