IP(International Protection) Code
IP Code
The IP Code (or Ingress Protection Rating, sometimes also interpreted as InternationalProtection Rating) consists of the letters IP followed bytwo digits or one digit and one letter and an optional letter. As defined in internationalstandard IEC 60529, IPCode classifies and rates the degrees of protection provided against theintrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust,accidental contact, and water in mechanical casings and withelectrical enclosures.
The standard aims to provide users more detailed information than vaguemarketing terms such as waterproof. However,no edition of the standard is openly published for unlicensed readers.
The digits (characteristic numerals) indicate conformity with theconditions summarized in the tables below. Where there is no protection ratingwith regard to one of the criteria, the digit is replaced with the letter X.
For example, an electrical socket rated IP22 is protected againstinsertion of fingers and will not be damaged or become unsafe during aspecified test in which it is exposed to vertically or nearly verticallydripping water. IP22 or 2X are typical minimum requirements for the design ofelectrical accessories for indoor use.
Code breakdown
IP Indication | Solid Particle Protection | Liquid Ingress Protection | Mechanical impact resistance | Other Protections |
IP | Single Number: 0-6 | Single Number: 0-8 | Single Number: 0-9 | Single Letter |
Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | No longer used | Optional |
Solid particle protection
The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosureprovides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, movingparts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects.
Level | Object size protected against | Effective against |
0 | — | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
1 | >50 mm | Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part |
2 | >12.5 mm | Fingers or similar objects |
3 | >2.5 mm | Tools, thick wires, etc. |
4 | >1 mm | Most wires, screws, etc. |
5 | Dust protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact |
6 | Dust tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact |
Liquid ingress protection
Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingressof water.
Level | Protected against | Testing for | Details |
0 | Not protected | — | — |
1 | Dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect. | Test duration: 10 minutes Water equivalent to 1mm rainfall per minute |
2 | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position. | Test duration: 10 minutes Water equivalent to 3mm rainfall per minute |
3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect. | Test duration: 5 minutes Water volume: 0.7 litres per minute |
4 | Splashing water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect. | Test duration: 5 minutes Water volume: 10 litres per minute |
5 | Water jets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. | Test duration: at least 3 minutes Water volume: 12.5 litres per minute |
6 | Powerful water jets | Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. | Test duration: at least 3 minutes Water volume: 100 litres per minute |
7 | Immersion up to 1 m | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). | Test duration: 30 minutes Immersion at depth of 1m |
8 | Immersion beyond 1 m | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. | Test duration: continuous immersion in water Depth specified by manufacturer |
