RESPONSIVE. INCLUSIVE. AFFORDABLE
IP RATING*
The IP Rating for electrical enclosures is an international standard that classifies
the degree of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects, dust,
accidental contact and water. The rating code consists of 2 digits: the first digit
categorizes solids; the second digit categorizes liquids.
Why is the IP Rating important?
Exposing electrical (electronic) parts to dust, water, even fingers, can cause a
“short” in the circuit and a failure of the device. It is important to select
equipment with the appropriate IP Rating for the environment.
First Digit: Solids
The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to
hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign
objects.
Level
Object Size Protected Against
0
1
>50 mm
2
3
4
5
>12.5 mm
>2.5 mm
> 1 mm
Dust Protected
6
Dust Tight
Effective Against
No protection against contact and ingress of objects
Any large surface of the body, such as back of the hand, but
no protection against deliberate contact
Fingers or similar objects
Tools, thick wires, etc.
Most wires, screws, etc.
Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not
enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory
operation of the equipment; complete protection against
contact
No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact
Second Digit: Liquids
The second digit indicates protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful
ingress of water.
Level
0
1
2
Protected Against
3
Not protected
Dripping water
Dripping water when tilted
up to 15 degrees
Spraying water
4
Splashing water
5
Water jets
6
Powerful water jets
7
Immersion up to 1 m
8
Immersion beyond 1 m
Effective Against
Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect
Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the
enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees from normal position
Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60 degrees from the
vertical shall have no harmful effect
Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have
no harmful effect
Water projected from a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any
direction shall have no harmful effect
Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the
enclosure shall have no harmful effects
Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the
enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure
and time (up to 1 m of submersion)
The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under
conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer.
*Defined by the international standard IEC 60529