IP ratings, or “Ingress Protection” ratings, classify and define the degree of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects and water in electrical enclosures or mechanical casings. The IP rating is typically represented by the letters “IP” followed by two digits (e.g., IP68).
Ingress is the process by which a foreign material such as dust, powder or moisture enters inside something. The process is slow but causes heavy damage to the object.
How to Identify IP Ratings?
The first digit indicates protection against solids, like dust and particles, on a scale from 0 to 6:
- 0: No protection against solids.
- 1: Protection against objects larger than 50mm.
- 2: Protection against objects larger than 12.5mm.
- 3: Protection against objects larger than 2.5mm.
- 4: Protection against objects larger than 1mm.
- 5: Limited protection against dust ingress.
- 6: Complete protection against dust ingress.
The second digit denotes the degree of protection against water on a scale from 0 to 9:
- 0: No protection against water.
- 1: Protection against vertically falling water droplets.
- 2: Protection against water droplets when tilted up to 15 degrees.
- 3: Protection against spraying water.
- 4: Protection against splashing water.
- 5: Protection against water jets.
- 6: Protection against powerful water jets.
- 7: Protection against immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
- 8: Protection against continuous immersion beyond 1 meter for a specified time.
- 9: Protection against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets (specific use cases).
For instance, an IP68 rating signifies complete dust protection (6) and the ability to withstand continuous immersion in water beyond 1 meter (8), though the specific depth and duration might vary depending on the device or product.
It’s important to note that the interpretation of these ratings might slightly differ based on the device or product being rated, so checking the manufacturer’s specifications is crucial for accurate information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does IP54 mean?
IP or Ingress Protection rating of 54 means it gives