Installed 60 IP65 LED high bays in a poultry processing facility 14 months ago. They're failing.
Root cause: IP65 protects against low-pressure water jets from any direction. But this facility uses high-pressure hot water (80°C, 1000 PSI) for daily sanitation. IP65's 6.3mm nozzle test at 12.5 L/min doesn't simulate that.
What we should have specified: IP66 (high-pressure jets) or IP69K (steam jet cleaning, 80°C, 80-100 bar). The cost difference was only $12/unit at the time. Now we're replacing all 60 units — total cost ~$7,200 including labor.
Lesson: Read the IP test parameters, not just the number. IEC 60529 defines exactly what each digit means. For food processing, IP69K or at minimum IP66 with stainless steel housing.