What Are IP Ratings?

Author : Debbie

Update time : 2021-12-05 23:49:16

IP（INGRESS PROTECTION）protection level system is drafted by IEC (International Electrical Communication). Classify electrical appliances according to their dust and moisture resistance. Knowing the IP level is very helpful for choosing the right electrical enclosure.

Every IP rating has a two-digit number that rates the enclosure’s ingress protection performance. The first digit rates protection against solids such as dust and debris, while the second digit rates protection against the ingress of water. Models with waterproof and dustproof IP ratings，such as IP66 enclosure boxes or IP68 enclosure boxes, are the most commonly used.

The meaning of the first number:

0 means no protection, no special protection for external people or objects

1 prevent the intrusion of solid objects larger than 50mm and the accidental contact of human body (such as palm) with internal parts. Prevent the intrusion of foreign objects with large size (diameter greater than 50mm).

2 prevent solid objects larger than 12mm from invading and prevent human fingers from contacting internal parts. Prevent the intrusion of foreign objects of medium size (diameter greater than 12mm and length greater than 80mm)

3 prevent solid objects larger than 2.5mm from invading, and to prevent tools, wires or similar small foreign objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 2.5mm from invading and contacting the internal parts

4 prevent solid objects larger than 1.0mm from invading, and tools, wires or similar small foreign objects with diameter or thickness greater than 1.0mm from invading and contacting internal parts

5 dustproof and completely prevent foreign objects from invading. Although dust intrusion cannot be completely prevented, the amount of dust intrusion will not affect normal operation

6 dust density can completely prevent the invasion of foreign objects, and can completely prevent the invasion of dust

The meaning of the second number:

0 no protection, no special protection for external people or objects

1 prevent the intrusion of dripping water, and the vertically dripping water droplets (such as condensate) will not cause harmful effects on the environment

2 the enclosure is tilted up to 15 °, the water drops that prevent vertical falling will not cause harmful effects when the shell is tilted up at any angle of no more than 15 ° on either side of the vertical

3 waterproofing fog does not cause harmful effects at any vertical side at any angle of no more than 60 degrees

4 splashing water against the enclosure from any direction will not cause harmful effects

5 water sprayed from any direction against the shell will not cause harmful effects

6 prevent strong water spray. Strong water spray from any direction against the shell will not cause harmful effects

7 prevent short-time immersion. Under normal temperature and pressure, when the shell is temporarily immersed in 1m deep water, it will not cause harmful effects

8 Continuous immersion prevention is agreed by both the manufacturer and the user, but under conditions more severe than 7, continuous immersion in water will not cause harmful effects

Example: IP68
The previous number indicates the dust-proof level. The number 6 indicates that the dust is dense, completely prevents the invasion of foreign objects, and can completely prevent the invasion of dust. The latter number indicates the tightness against moisture and water intrusion. 8 means to prevent water intrusion during sinking. The indefinite sinking of the product can ensure no damage due to water inflow under the specified water pressure. In this way, we know that IP68 is completely dustproof and can completely invade into the water.

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