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IP Ratings Explained

The IP protection rating is an often misunderstood specification.  The tables below provide the information needed to interpret the IP rating of a particular chassis.  It can also serve as a guide to help you choose the appropriate level of protection required by your circumstances.  

Example:  IP65
Protected against the access of dust & Protected against water jets

This system indicates the particular degee of protection offered by the enclosure with the letters 'IP' followed by two numbers.
  • First Number - This number indicates the degree of protection of persons against contact with, or approach to, hazardous internal components, and protection of the equipment against ingress of solid foreign bodies and dust.
  • Second Number - This number indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure from ingress of water.

First Number
Significance Definition

 
0
Non-protected No special protection
1
Protected against solid objects greater than 50mm
A larger surface of the body , such as the hand (but no protection against deliberate access).
Solid objects exceeding 50mm in diameter
2
Protected against solid objects greater than 12mm
Fingers or other objects not exceeding 80mm long
Solid objects exceeding 12mm in diameter
3
Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm
Tools, wires etc. of diameter or thickness greater than 2.5mm
Solid objects exceeding 2.5mm in diameter
4
Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0mm
Wires or strips of thickness greater than 1.0mm
Solid objects exceeding 1.00mm in diameter
5
Protected against the deposit of dust
Access of dust is not totally prevented, but dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfer with satisfactory operation of the equipment
6
Protected against the access of dust
Access of dust is not totally prevented, but dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfer with satisfactory operation of the equipment

 

Second
Number    
Significance Definition

 
0
Non-protected                                      No special protection
1
Protected against dripping           
water
Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect
2
Protected against dripping water
when tilted at 15°
Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect when
the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position
3
Protected against spraying
water
Water falling as a spray at an angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have
no harmful effect
4
Protected against splashing
water
Water splashing against the enclosure from any angle shall have no harmful
effect
5
Protected against water jets
Water projected by a nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall
have no harmful effect
6
Protected against heavy seas
Water from heavy seas or projected in powerful jets shall not enter the
enclosure in harmful quantities
7
Protected against the effects of
immersion
Access of water in harmful quantities shall not be possible when the
enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time
8
Protected against submerged
state
Water may not enter in harmful quantities when the enclosure is held
submerged