The failure modes are predictable
Exterior lighting in this region fails in three ways: corrosion at fixings and housings, water ingress through degraded gaskets, and driver failure from sustained heat. All three are specification problems, not bad luck.
Materials
Within a few kilometres of the coast, 316 or 316L stainless is the baseline for anything in contact with the ground or exposed to spray. Coated aluminium survives inland but should be marine-grade anodised rather than powder-coated where salt is present.
Ingress protection
IP65 is not sufficient for a fitting sitting in planting that gets irrigated daily — that is effectively temporary immersion, and IP67 is the honest rating. In-ground fittings should be IP67 as a minimum and drained properly beneath.
Thermal headroom
Ambient temperatures above 45°C for months at a time mean drivers must be rated for it, with the ta value stated and honoured. A driver in a sealed in-ground housing in August is the hardest-working component on any project.
