What is an IP Rating (Ingress Protection)?

What is an IP Rating (Ingress Protection)?

IP rating is also known as Ingress Protection or International Protection ratings which are defined to the international standard of EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529:1992). This standard is used to define the levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies such as tools, dirt and moisture.  

What do the two digits in an IP Rating mean?

The rating consists of the letters IP followed by two digits, if a number is replaced by X this indicates that the enclosure is not rated for that specification. 

Dust

IP0X - no protection

IP1X - protection against contact with objects larger than 5 cm, such as a hand

IP2X - protection against contact with objects larger than 1.25 cm, such as a finger

IP3X - protection against contact with objects larger than 2.5 mm, such as a wire

IP4X - protection against contact with objects larger than 1 mm

IP5X - fairly dust-free

IP6X - 100% dust resistant

Moisture

IPX0 - no protection

IPX1 - protection against vertical drops

IPX2 - protection against drops at an angle of up to 15°

IPX3 - protection against splash water * at an angle of up to 60°

IPX4 - protection against splash water from every angle

IPX5 - protection against spray water ** from every angle

IPX6 - protection against powerful spray water and waves

IPX7 - temporary protection against immersion (30 min)

IPX8 - complete protection against immersion

Example: IP65

The two digits represent different forms of environmental influence:

 • The first digit represents protection against ingress of solid objects.

 • The second digit represents protection against ingress of liquids.

What IP Rating Shall I Choose?

If you don’t anticipate a harsh environment that is extremely dusty or wet then a lower IP rating would suffice.

In places that will have a lot of dust, debris, or potential to be in contact with any solids or liquids, you’ll want to make sure that the IP ratings are high and that you have adequate water resistant or waterproof coatings around your environment.

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