A Guide to IP Ratings (Ingress Protection)
An Ingress Protection (IP) rating is a crucial international standard (AS60529) used to define how effectively an electrical enclosure protects against intrusion from foreign bodies (like dust and tools) and moisture. Understanding this two-digit code is essential for selecting the right equipment that will perform reliably in any given environment.
The first digit rates protection against solid objects, while the second rates protection against liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection.
First Digit: Protection Against Solids
| Value | Description of Protection |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection against contact and ingress of objects. |
| 1 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm (e.g., accidental hand contact). |
| 2 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers). |
| 3 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools, thick wires). |
| 4 | Protected against solid objects over 1mm (e.g., most wires, screws). |
| 5 | Dust Protected. Limited ingress of dust permitted (will not interfere with operation). |
| 6 | Dust Tight. Totally protected against dust ingress. |
Second Digit: Protection Against Liquids
| Value | Description of Protection |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection against liquids. |
| 1 | Protected against vertically dripping water. |
| 2 | Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15°. |
| 3 | Protected against spraying water (up to 60° from vertical). |
| 4 | Protected against splashing water from any direction. |
| 5 | Protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction. |
| 6 | Protected against high-pressure water jets from any direction. |
| 7 | Protected against temporary immersion in water (up to 1m for 30 mins). |
| 8 | Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure. |
Reading an IP Rating: Example
Using the charts above, a product with a rating of IP67 would be interpreted as:
- First Digit [6]: Totally protected against dust ingress.
- Second Digit [7]: Protected against temporary immersion in water.
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