IP - Ingress Protection rating is used to specify the environmental protection - electrical enclosure - of electrical equipment.
EN 60529 outlines an international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies (i.e. tools, dust, fingers) and moisture. This classification system utilizes the letters "IP" ("Ingress Protection") followed by two or three digits. (A third digit is sometimes used. An "x" is used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPX4 which addresses moisture resistance only.)
Degrees of Protection - First Digit
The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree that persons are protected against contact with moving parts (other than smooth rotating shafts, etc.) and the degree that equipment is protected against solid foreign bodies intruding into an enclosure.
| Rating |
Explanation |
| 0 |
No special protection |
| 1 |
Protected against solid objects up to 50mm in diameter, e.g. accidental touch by persons hands |
| 2 |
Protected against solid objects up to 80mm in length and 12mm in diameter, e.g. persons fingers |
| 3 |
Protected against solid objects with a diameter of thickness greater than 2.5mm. (tools and wires) |
| 4 |
Protected against solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 1.0mm
(tools, wires, and small wires) |
| 5 |
Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit) |
| 6 |
Totally protected against dust |
Degrees of Protection - Second Digit
The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture (e.g. dripping, spraying, submersion, etc.)
| Rating |
Explaination |
| 0 |
No protection |
| 1 |
Protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation |
| 2 |
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15° from the vertical |
| 3 |
Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60° from the vertical |
| 4 |
Protection against water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted |
| 5 |
Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions - limited ingress |
| 6 |
Protected against temporary flooding of water, e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted |
| 7 |
Protected against the effect of immersion between 15 cm and 1m |
| 8 |
Protects against long periods of submersion under pressure |
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