What is an IP Rating?

IP means ingress protection. This is a system of classification for the effectiveness of sealing the enclosures of electrical equipment.

The first digit indicates the degree of protection against contact with moving parts and the degree of protection against foreign objects entering an enclosure.

The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the components inside the enclosure against moisture. PDF File for Mobile Users

No special protection

Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part

Protection from vertically dripping water for a duration of not more than 10 minutes. Water equivalent to 1 mm rainfall per minute..

Protection against fingers or similar objects

Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position for not more than 10 minutes. Water equivalent to 3 mm rainfall per minute

Protection from entry by tools, thick wires, etc.

Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical for not more than 5 minutes shall have no harmful effect. Water volume: 0.7 liters per minute Pressure: 80–100 kN/m²

Protection from entry by solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 1 mm. Includes most wires and screws..

Protection from splashed water from any direction for not more than 5 minutes. Water volume: 10 liters per minute; Pressure: 80–100 kN/m²

Protection from the amount of dust that would interfere with the operation of the equipment

Protection from water projected from a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction for not more than 3 minutes shall have no harmful effects. Water volume: 12.5 liters per minute. Pressure: 30 kN/m² at distance of 3m.

Dust tight

Protection against heavy seas, or water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction for not more than 3 minutes shall have no harmful effects. Water volume: 100 liters per minute. Pressure: 100 kN/m² at distance of 3m

N/A

N/A.

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 1m of submersion for not more than 30 minutes).

N/A

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.