IP Ratings Explained

IP or Ingress Protection is a classification for the sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against the intrusion of foreign bodies (such as tools, dust, fingers) and moisture.

DEGREES OF PROTECTION FIRST DIGIT

The first digit relates to the intrusion of foreign bodies.
0 No special Protection.
1 Protection from a large part of the body such as the hand but no protection from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter.
2 Protection against fingers or other objects not greater than 80mm in length and 12mm in diameter.
3 Protection from tools, wires etc with a diameter of thickness greater than 1.0mm.
4 Protection from solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater then 1.0mm.
5 Protection from the amount of dust that would interfere with the operation of the equipment.
6 Dust tight.

DEGREES OF PROTECTION SECOND DIGIT

The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture
0 No special Protection.
1 Protection from dripping water.
2 Protection from vertically dripping water.
3 Protection from sprayed water.
4 Protection from splashed water.
5 Protection from water projected from a nozzle.
6 Protection from heavy seas or powerful jets of water.
7 Protection against immersion.
8 Protection against complete continuous submersion in water.