What is the hansonled led neon flex custom IP rating?

When you are sourcing led neon flex for a sign, a storefront, or an architectural lighting project, one specification tends to come up before almost anything else: the IP rating. Buyers ask whether the product is waterproof, how it will hold up in rain, and whether it can be used outdoors at all. The answer is never a simple yes or no, because the protection level depends on the rating itself, and different projects genuinely need different levels of protection.

At HansonLed, a Shenzhen-based LED signage lighting manufacturer with more than 13 years of production experience, every neon flex order can be built to a custom IP rating that matches the real conditions of your installation site. This article explains what IP ratings actually mean for LED neon flex, how HansonLed tailors them to each project, and how to pick the right one the first time.

What does an IP rating mean?

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and it is defined by the international standard IEC 60529. An IP rating is made up of two digits:

• The first digit (0–6) describes protection against solid objects such as dust and debris.
• The second digit (0–8) describes protection against water, from light splashes all the way to continuous immersion.

For LED neon flex, the first digit is almost always 6, which means the product is fully dust-tight. The meaningful difference between products sits in the second digit, which tells you how much water exposure the strip can survive.

The common IP ratings for LED neon flex

Most LED neon flex on the market falls into one of three ratings. Understanding what each one really covers will help you avoid both over-spending and under-specifying.

Rating	Water protection	Best suited for
IP65	Low-pressure water jets and heavy rain	Sheltered areas, under awnings, indoor spaces with occasional moisture
IP67	Temporary immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes	Building facades, outdoor signage, gardens, most fully exposed installations
IP68	Continuous immersion, depth and duration agreed with the manufacturer	Fountains, pools, underwater features, flood-prone zones

One detail buyers often miss: there is no single global testing standard for IP68. The immersion depth and duration are set by the manufacturer, which means the rating is only meaningful when the supplier states the exact conditions. This is exactly why a custom approach matters.

What does a custom IP rating mean at HansonLed?

A custom IP rating does not mean HansonLed invents a number that looks good on paper. It means the protection level is engineered around your project instead of the other way around. When you place an order, the team looks at where the neon flex will be installed, how much rain, wind, or moisture it will face, and whether it will ever sit in standing water. From there, the strip is built with the sealing method and materials needed to meet the agreed rating.

For example, a standard led neon flex outdoor sign on a building facade is usually built to IP67, which handles heavy rain and brief flooding without the extra cost of full submersion protection. If the same strip is going into a fountain or a pool edge, HansonLed can build it to IP68 with reinforced sealing and a clearly stated immersion depth. The rating is matched to the environment, not copied from a catalog.

How HansonLed achieves a high IP rating

The IP rating of a neon flex strip is decided in the factory, not on the datasheet. The way the LED circuit is sealed determines whether the product can actually reach the rating it claims.

• Full silicone extrusion: For IP67 and IP68, the LED circuit is fully encased in solid silicone, leaving no gaps where moisture could enter. This is the same construction used for the most reliable outdoor neon products on the market.
• UV-stable silicone: Silicone resists yellowing and cracking far better than PVC, which matters for any strip that will spend years in direct sunlight.
• Sealed connections: Cut ends and connection points are the weak spots in any neon installation. HansonLed supplies matching connectors and sealing guidance so the finished installation keeps the same rating as the strip itself.
• Low-voltage operation: Most HansonLed neon flex runs on 12V or 24V, which keeps the system safe to touch and easier to seal than high-voltage alternatives.

If your project needs a led neon flex 24v ip68 build for continuous submersion, the engineering team will confirm the immersion depth and duration with you before production, so the rating you receive is the rating you can rely on.

How to choose the right IP rating for your project

There is no single best rating, only the rating that fits your environment. Here is a practical way to decide:

• Indoor or sheltered: IP65 is usually enough for interior signs, covered terraces, and spaces that only see occasional moisture.
• Fully exposed outdoors: IP67 is the dependable choice for facades, storefronts, and garden installations that face rain, wind, and seasonal weather.
• Underwater or flood-prone: IP68 is required for fountains, pools, and any location where the strip will sit below the waterline.

When in doubt, it is worth remembering that the strip is only one part of the system. The power supply and the connectors must be rated for the same conditions, and the installation itself has to keep the cut ends sealed. A fully sealed IP67 strip connected with an indoor driver will still fail outdoors, so the whole chain needs to match.

HansonLed neon flex options for every build

HansonLed offers both main types of LED neon flex, so the right product can be matched to the look you want:

• Side view neon flex: Emits light from the side of the tube, ideal for edge-lit channel letters and slim sign profiles.
• Top view neon flex: Emits light from the front face, giving the classic bright neon look for signs, logos, and decorative outlines.
• Custom lengths and colors: As an OEM/ODM factory, HansonLed can cut to your lengths, match your brand colors, and add your logo, so the finished product fits the project exactly.

Conclusion

An IP rating is not a marketing label; it is a promise about how much water and dust a product can survive. For LED neon flex, the rating is decided by the sealing method and materials used in production, which is why buying from a manufacturer that can build to your exact requirement makes a real difference. HansonLed builds every neon flex order to a custom IP rating matched to the installation site, whether that is IP65 for a sheltered sign, IP67 for a fully exposed facade, or IP68 for continuous submersion. With 13 years of production experience, OEM/ODM support, and customers in more than 80 countries, HansonLed can help you specify the right product the first time.

If you are planning an outdoor neon project and are not sure which rating you need, contact the HansonLed team with your installation details, and they will recommend the right build for your conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Is LED neon flex waterproof?

It depends on the rating. LED neon flex built to IP65 or higher is designed to handle water, with IP67 handling temporary immersion and IP68 handling continuous submersion. Always check the rating before using a strip outdoors.

What is the difference between IP67 and IP68 neon flex?

IP67 can survive temporary immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, which covers heavy rain and brief flooding. IP68 is built for continuous immersion at a depth and duration agreed with the manufacturer, which is needed for underwater installations.

Can I order neon flex with a custom IP rating?

Yes. HansonLed builds neon flex to the IP rating your project needs, including custom lengths, colors, and branding through its OEM/ODM service.