What is the protection level and weather resistance of antique street lamps?

Basic structural features of antique street lamps
Antique street lamps are usually composed of lamp body, lamp pole, lampshade, electrical cavity, basic flange and fasteners. The overall design retains the traditional shape while integrating modern lighting technology. The appearance is commonly decorated with carvings, spray paint, imitation copper, imitation rust and other decorative elements, but its functional structure still needs to meet the basic technical requirements of modern lighting equipment.
The lamp body is generally made of metal casting or welding structure, the power module is embedded in the protective cavity, and is equipped with a sealing gasket. The lampshade is mostly made of glass or polymer material, with a certain light transmittance and impact resistance. The structural design should not only consider the retro style, but also meet the basic technical standards such as waterproof, dustproof and corrosion resistance.

Definition and standard basis of protection level
The protection level of antique street lamps is usually divided according to the "IP code" in IEC 60529 or GB/T 4208 standards, and is expressed as "IPXY", where X represents the dustproof level and Y represents the waterproof level. The protection level is an important parameter for evaluating the ability of outdoor lamps to resist the intrusion of solid particles and moisture from the outside.
The following is a brief table of the meanings of common protection levels:

Common IP Protection Levels for Antique-Style Street Lamps

The standard protection level of most outdoor antique street lamps is above IP54, and some products for extreme environments will reach IP66 or even IP67.

The role of dustproof performance in outdoor use
Antique street lamps are usually used in outdoor places such as ancient towns, gardens, parks, and tourist blocks. Sand, catkins, insects and ants are inevitable in the environment. Dustproof performance can effectively delay the pollution and aging of the internal structure and avoid the risks of overheating and short circuit of electrical components due to dust accumulation.
The use of sealing rubber rings, plug-in closed structures, and tight fitting of lampshades and lamp bodies can help improve the dustproof level. Some products are also equipped with insect-proof nets or dust filters to further reduce the intrusion of particulate matter.

Division and meaning of protection level IP standards
Antique street lamps are used in outdoor environments, and their protection capabilities are usually evaluated by the IP level standards established by the International Electrotechnical Commission. The IP code consists of two digits. The first digit indicates the dustproof level, ranging from 0 to 6. The higher the value, the stronger the protection against solid particles. The second digit indicates the waterproof level, ranging from 0 to 8, which is used to measure the product's resistance to different forms of liquid intrusion, such as water droplets, water mist, water spray, and even immersion. For example, the IP65 level means that the product has the ability to completely prevent dust from entering, and can withstand strong water spray from all directions without affecting the internal structure or function. In actual applications, antique street lamps usually need to reach IP54 and above to meet basic outdoor use requirements, while higher levels such as IP65 or IP66 are mostly used in places with more severe environments, such as coastal areas, windy and sandy areas, or rainy areas. Therefore, understanding the meaning of IP levels not only helps to determine the scope of application of products, but also provides a technical basis for procurement and installation.

The impact of material selection on weather resistance
The main materials of antique street lamps include lamp body metal, lampshade materials, anti-corrosion coatings, etc., and their weather resistance is directly related to the material. Commonly used metal materials include aluminum alloy, cast iron, stainless steel, etc., and some high-end products use copper.

Common Structural Materials and Their Protective Properties

At the same time, the coating process on the surface of the lamp, such as high-temperature electrostatic spraying, fluorocarbon paint, and antique paint treatment, will also affect its corrosion resistance and UV resistance. High-quality coatings can effectively slow down problems such as oxidation, paint loss, and rust on the metal surface.

Weathering test and certification indicators
In order to ensure the stable operation of antique street lamps under various natural conditions, the products must undergo a series of weathering tests before leaving the factory. These tests usually include simulation of salt spray environments to examine their corrosion resistance in high-salinity air; testing the thermal expansion and contraction stability of materials in temperature difference environments by alternating high and low temperatures; and supplemented by ultraviolet aging simulation to evaluate the impact of long-term sunlight on the shell and coating. In addition, waterproof tests are required to test their sealing performance under different water spray intensities or even short-term immersion conditions. In order to meet market and regulatory requirements, some antique street lamp products will also apply for national 3C certification, EU CE certification or RoHS environmental protection certification. These indicators together constitute the basic guarantee of product quality reliability.

Correspondence between protection level and application environment
Antique street lamps with different protection levels are suitable for different environments. The following is a reference for common applications and recommended protection levels:

Environmental Requirements for Selecting IP Levels

Relationship between post-maintenance and protection performance
Although the initial manufacturing cost of antique street lamps with high protection levels is relatively high, their good sealing can effectively reduce post-maintenance work. For example, lamps with high dustproof levels have less dust accumulation inside the lampshade during use, the light effect remains stable, and the cleaning frequency is reduced. Products with strong waterproof ability can also avoid line failure due to water seepage and improve system stability. By regularly checking the integrity of the lamp body coating, the sealing of the cable interface, and whether the electrical components are damp, the service life can be further extended and the performance of the antique street lamp can be maintained stable.