IP Ratings Explained
IP ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, are standards that define the level of protection provided by electrical enclosures. The first digit in an IP rating indicates the level of protection against solid objects, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6 (complete protection against dust). The second digit signifies protection against water ingress, with ratings from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protection against high-pressure jets). Understanding these ratings can help ensure the safety of electronic devices in various environments.
First Digit & Level of Protection
0 - (or X - see section below): Not rated (or no rating supplied) for protection against ingress of this type
1 - Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm (accidental hand contact with open palm), but not against deliberate body contact
2 - Protection against solid objects larger than 12mm (accidental finger contact)
3 - Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm (tools and wires)
4 -Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm (fine tools and wires, nails, screws, larger insects and other potentially invasive small objects)
5 - Partial protection against dust and other particulates, such that any ingress will not damage or impede the satisfactory performance of internal components
6 - Full protection against dust and other particulates, including a vacuum seal, tested against continuous airflow
Second Digit & Level of Protection
0 - (or X - see section below): Not rated (or no rating supplied) for protection against ingress of this type
1 - Protection against vertically falling droplets, such as condensation, sufficient that no damage or interrupted functioning of components will be incurred when an item is upright
2 - Protection against vertically dripping water when enclosure is tilted up to 15° off vertical
3 - Protection against direct moisture spray at angles up to 60° off vertical
4 - Protection against splashing water from any direction, tested for a minimum of 10 minutes with an oscillating spray (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects)
5 - Protection against low-pressure jets (6.3mm) of directed water from any angle (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects)
6 - Protection against powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) of directed water from any direction
7 - Protection against full immersion for up to 30 minutes at depths between 15cm and 1 metre (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects)
8 - Protection against extended immersion under higher pressure i.e. greater depths. Precise parameters of this test will be set and advertised by the manufacturer and may include additional factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on equipment type
9K - Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash downs or steam-cleaning procedures - this rating is most often seen in specific road vehicle applications (standard ISO 20653:2013 Road Vehicles - Degrees of Protection)