The knowledge on ingress protection (IP) rating is critical for both equipment manufacturers and uses.
Basically, it tell you whether an equipment is safe and can provide recommended protection.
The best part:
This guide explores everything about IP ratings. Whether you want to know the meaning of individual IP rating, choose the best one for your equipment or compare it to NEMA standards – all information you need is right here.
Let’s dive right in:
What is IP Water Resistance Rating?
A standard system known as IP (Ingress Protection) Water Resistance Rating is used in the categorization of the extent of the protection that a particular enclosure may provide.
This is against several categories of hazards including liquids such as water, and solids including dust.
Benefits of IP rating Explained
Knowledge of the IP (Ingress Protection) rating of a device can provide you with a number of benefits. This is especially when selecting items based on their resistance to external conditions.
Standardized Protection Measure
- Consistency: IP ratings give you a form of protection as per a standard and make you realize the significance of each rating
- Reliability: Having an IP rating is always useful as it provides you with an actual figure. This can be used to compare the reliability of a particular protection since it indicates that the product has undergone certain tests.
Customer Self-Assurance
- Making Informed decisions: If you have specific requirements for protecting from dust or water, understanding the IP rating will assist you make the right decision. This is with regard to the items which you intend to purchase.
- Product Assurance: Once a device is given an IP rating then you are sure about the performance of the device in certain conditions.
Product Durability
- Extended Lifespan: Devices with a higher IP rating are also generally more robust, and longer lasting. That’s because the higher the rating, the less chance there is of water or dust getting into the device.
- Reduced Damage: That is why it looks more promising to select the products with high IP ratings. This is because both you and your surroundings will save on reparations and replacement.
Flexibility in Use
- Severe and Outdoor Conditions: If the IP scale is high, then the equipment can be used in worst or outdoor situations without affecting its functioning. This is very important in case you find yourself in need of equipment that could be for industrial, construction, or even for your recreational activities.
- Specialized Applications: The IP rating enables you to select the right products for specific uses. For instance, underwater photography equipment medical equipment, or military equipment.
Distinctiveness in the Market
- Competitive Advantage: With the help of the IP ratings, which show superior protection features of devices, manufacturers are able to differentiate themselves and their products. What this means for you are better options and more dependable products.
- Marketing Advantage: You get this feeling that these are products that are meant to be solid and long-lasting whenever you come across high IP ratings being marketed.
Safety and Compliance Regulatory
- Compliance: For the goods you use to be legal, some industries and geographical regions demand specific IP ratings for safety and functionality.
- Assurance of Safety: High IP-rated products decrease the risk of electrocution, shorts, and other risks occasioned by the ingress of dust or water. This improves your safety.
Enhanced Performance
- Reliable Operation: In conditions that are unfavorable, the devices having acceptable IP ratings do not exhibit poor performance and hence provide you with a good performance.
- Maintenance Reduction: Reduction of dust and water penetration reduces the number of times and the degree of maintenance. This will be beneficial to you because it will take less of your time.
Meaning of Digits in IP Rating
It is important for you to note that levels of protection against solid particles and bodies, water, and accidental touch are outlined under the IP (Ingress Protection) codes.
According to the standard rating is given the general form of IP followed by two figures, each of which holds a special meaning.
The first number (0–6) denotes the protection of solid objects from dust. It ranges from 0 which signifies no protection at all to 6 which means that the equipment is dust-tight.
On the other hand, the second digit (0-9) shows the degree of water protection. Where 0 has no protection and 9 is protected from strong, high-temperature water jets. The higher the numbers, the better protection is provided.
Understanding IP Rating Chart
This complete IP rating chart shows how much protection each number has and provides remarks on total protection, have a look:
| IP Rating | Level of Protection as Represented by First Digit | Level of Protection as Represented by Second Digit | Remarks (Overall Protection and Detailed Explanation) |
| IP00 | No protection | No protection | There is no special protection for the subject. |
| IP01 | No protection | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) | Protection against vertically falling drops of water. |
| IP02 | No protection | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Protection of the device against direct water jets in any direction within the angle of 15° with vertical. |
| IP03 | No protection | Spraying water | Protection from splash or water that is projected at an angle upwards of 60° from the vertical. |
| IP04 | No protection | Splashing water | Protection from water splashing from any side. |
| IP05 | No protection | Water jets | Protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction. |
| IP06 | No protection | Powerful water jets | Protected against powerful water jets from any direction. |
| IP07 | No protection | Immersion up to 1 meter | protection of the product from temporary immersion under water not greater than 1 meter deep. |
| IP08 | No protection | Immersion beyond 1 meter | Protection from continuous water immersion as defined by the manufacturer. |
| IP10 | Protects against solid objects larger than 50mm getting in such as hands. | No defense | There is little blocking of big body parts but no blocking of intentional blows. |
| IP11 | Protects against solid foreign objects including hands that are larger than 50 mm in size. | Water droplets (water falling in a down or vertical way). | Shield against droplets of water that may fall in a vertical manner. |
| IP12 | Protection from larger bodies that are more than 50mm in size including hands. | Water dripping at 15° angle. | Protection against direct water spray in any degree up to and including 15° in the vertical plane. |
| IP13 | Protects against solids that are greater than 50mm in size, for instance, hands. | Sprinkling water | Protection from water impacts with jets directed at 60° or more upward. |
| IP14 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm (e.g., hands) | Splashing water | Protection against splashing water from any direction. |
| IP15 | Protected from solid objects with sizes more than 50mm such as hands. | Jets of water | Protection from water impacts in any direction at low pressure. |
| IP16 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm (e.g., hands) | Powerful water jets | Protection against powerful water jets from any direction. |
| IP17 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm (e.g., hands) | Immersion up to 1 meter | Protection against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter. |
| IP18 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm (e.g., hands) | Immersion beyond 1 meter | Protection against continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer. |
| IP20 | Shielded from solid items larger than 12.5 mm, like fingers | No defense | Protection against fingers or other similar items, but not from intentional touch. |
| IP21 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) | Protection against vertically falling drops of water. |
| IP22 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15° from the vertical. |
| IP23 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Spraying water | Protection against water sprayed at an angle up to 60° from vertical. |
| IP24 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Splashing water | Protection against splashing water from any direction. |
| IP25 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Water jets | Protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction. |
| IP26 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Powerful water jets | Protection against powerful water jets from any direction. |
| IP27 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Immersion up to 1 meter | Protection against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter. |
| IP28 | Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Immersion beyond 1 meter | Protection against continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer. |
| IP30 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | No protection | Protection against tools, wires, and similar small objects. |
| IP31 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) | Protection against vertically falling drops of water. |
| IP32 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15° from the vertical. |
| IP33 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Spraying water | Protection against water sprayed at an angle up to 60° from vertical. |
| IP34 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Splashing water | Protection against splashing water from any direction. |
| IP35 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Water jets | Protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction. |
| IP36 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Powerful water jets | Protection against powerful water jets from any direction. |
| IP37 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Immersion up to 1 meter | Protection against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter. |
| IP38 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g., tools) | Immersion beyond 1 meter | Protection against continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer. |
| IP40 | Protected against solids more than 1mm in thickness (e. g., wires) | No protection | Protection from small wires and objects. |
| IP41 | Shielded against solids larger than 1mm in size; for example, wires | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) | Protection against water that falls in drops and in a vertical direction. |
| IP42 | Shielded from solid objects greater than 1mm in thickness (e.g., wires) | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Protection against water projected by a nozzle in any direction, under an angle of 15° against the vertical. |
| IP43 | Shielded from solid items larger than 1 mm, such as cables | Sprinkling water | Defense against water jets shot at 60° or more vertically. |
| IP44 | Protected against solid objects more than 1mm in diameter (e.g., wires) | Splashing water | Protection against water jets from any direction. |
| IP45 | Protected against solid objects larger than 1mm in size (e.g., wires) | Water jets | Protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction. |
| IP46 | Protected against solid objects more than 1mm apart (for example, wires) | Powerful water jets | Protected from powerful water jets from any side. |
| IP47 | Protected against solid objects over 1mm (e.g., wires) | Immersion up to 1 meter | Protection against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter. |
| IP48 | Protected from contact with solids larger than 1mm in size; e. g. wires | Immersion beyond 1 meter | Protected against condensation or continuous immersion in water as determined by the manufacturer. |
| IP50 | Dust-protected | No protection | Only a limited amount of dust, which does not affect the operation of the equipment allowed to enter. |
| IP51 | Dust-protected | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) | Protection from water droplets that fall in a vertical plane. |
| IP52 | Dust-protected | Water dripping at a 15° angle | Protection from up to 15° of vertical direct water spray. |
| IP53 | Dust-protected | Spraying water | Protection against water sprayed at an angle not greater than 60 ° from the vertical. |
| IP54 | Dust-protected | Splashing water | Shielding against water projected from any angle. |
| IP55 | Dust-protected | Water jets | Protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction. |
| IP56 | Dust-protected | Strong water jets | Protection from potent water jets in any direction. |
| IP57 | Dust-protected | Immersion up to 1 meter | Protection from water spray from any direction at a limited and brief period of time up to 1 meter. |
| IP58 | Dust-protected | Immersion beyond 1 meter | Resistance to steady immersion |
| IP59 | Dust-protected | High-pressure, high-temperature water jets | Protection from high-pressure water jets at high temperatures from any side. |
| IP60 | Dust-tight | No protection | Full proof against the access of dust. |
| IP61 | Dust-tight | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) | Protection from water and dust against water in the form of vertically falling drops. |
| IP62 | Dust-tight | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Protective against water in jets with up to 15˚ angle from the vertical. |
| IP63 | Dust-tight | Spraying water | Protection from water sprayed on the casing from any direction at an angle up to 60° with the vertical. |
| IP64 | Dust-tight | Splashing water | Protection of the equipment against water splashing from any angle. |
| IP65 | Dust-tight | Water jets | Capable of withstanding water jets from any direction with a pressure of up to 12.5 bar or less. |
| IP66 | Dust-tight | Strong water jets | Defense against strong water jets from any direction. |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | Immersion up to 1 meter | This grade preserves the device against temporary immersion in water up to a depth of 1 meter. |
| IP68 | Dust-tight | Immersion beyond 1 meter | Protection against condensation and moisture under the specified conditions of use as laid down by the manufacturer. |
| IP69 | Dust-tight | High-pressure, high-temperature water jets | Protection against water jets with high pressure and high temperature from any angle. |
| IPX0 | – | No protection | Not protected against fluids. |
| IPX1 | – | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) | Protection against water in the form of condensation or water dripping in a vertical direction i.e., downwards. |
| IPX2 | – | Dripping water when the tilt angle does not exceed 15° | Protection of equipment from direct water contacts with an angle not greater than 15° with the vertically downward position. |
| IPX3 | – | Spraying water | Protection against water sprayed, in any direction, with a 60° angle to the vertical. |
| IPX4 | – | Splashing water | Protection from water that is splashing in any direction. |
| IPX5 | – | Water jets | Shield against low-pressure water jets from a nozzle from any direction. |
| IPX6 | – | Powerful water jets | Protection against powerful water jets both directly and from any angle. |
| IPX7 | – | 1 metre water emitter | Protection from water in the form of short periods of immersion at a depth of 1 meter. |
| IPX8 | – | Immersion of more than 1 meter | Protected against the access of water in any (all) direction in the specified but limited conditions. |
| IPX9 | – | High-pressure, high-temperature water jets | Protection from water jets from any angle at high pressure and high temperature. |
Importance of Water Resistance in IP Electrical Enclosure
For multiple reasons below, water resistance in IP electrical enclosures is essential. Let’s take a look:
- Prevents Damage: That is, it ensures that the inner parts do not get wet this is because wetness leads to short circuits or corrosion.
- Ensures Reliability: It supports your enclosure in delivering its services thereby when it is wet or even damp.
- Enhances Safety: An electrical device that is water resistant reduces the likelihood by a big margin of getting a shock or an explosion which is due to water.
- Extends Lifespan: It assists prevent water-related problems that would in any case cause harm. Thus, increasing the lifespan of your enclosure or the components that make up the enclosure.
- Compliance and Standards: Evaluating to meet the water resistance means your enclosure has to meet certain standards set concerning different environments.
How IP Code in Water Resistance Work
The IP code system is a two-digit one; the first digit defines protection against solids, and the second against water.
- First Digit (0-6): It varies from no protection (0) to absolutely dustproof protection (6).
- Second Digit (0-9): It ranges from no protection against water (0) to high-pressure and high-temperature water jets (9).
For instance, IP65 defines a level of protection against the entrance of solid bodies and protection against water projected by a nozzle in any direction.
IP67 means protected from contact with dust and can be temporarily submerged in water at least 1m deep.
Devices are required to undergo standards to a certain level of water exposure before the devices are tested. Greater numbers in the second figure mean enhanced water resistance, which assists in identifying the correct shield degree for your device’s setting.
Testing Ingress Protection Rating for Water Resistance
When testing for the protection of water ingress, you will have to immerse your enclosure in a controlled environment and apply water conditions. Do this based on the degree of protection needed for your product. Follow the steps below:
- Dripping or Spraying: To imitate the part of light exposure, the enclosure should be situated where water flows or splashes in some specific areas.
- Jets: To repeat the same, producers should use water jets at a nozzle from different pressures but even angles.
- Immersion: To evaluate the stability of the enclosure when subjected to a constant conveyor, fill the enclosure up to a certain depth for some time.
- High-Pressure Jets: In order to test further pressure of the enclosure and its strength make high-pressure, high-temperature water jets at various angles.
- Assessment: Verify if an enclosure meets the needed protection levels by looking for signs of water ingress into the enclosure after each test, or protection class.
Comparing IP Water Resistance Rating to NEMA Rating
NEMA ratings and IP codes provide a lot of information about the level of protection against other environmental factors, especially water penetration.
To understand the relationship of the scores in the two systems, the following tables will help for the corresponding ratings of the two systems.
| IP Code for Water Resistance | NEMA Rating Equivalent |
| IP20 | NEMA 1 |
| IP22 | NEMA 2 |
| IP54 | NEMA 3 |
| IP55 | NEMA 12 |
| IP65 | NEMA 4 |
| IP66 | NEMA 4X |
| IP67 | NEMA 6 |
| IP68 | NEMA 6P |
| IP69 | NEMA 6P, NEMA 13 |
How to Choose the Right IP Rating for Specific Applications
It is crucial to be aware of the context where your device will operate as well as the degree of shield that your device may need.
This is by choosing from the best IP rating suitable for your specific use. Here is a guide to assist you in making a wise choice:
Know Your Environment:
- Determine if your device will be used in industrial areas, outdoors, or indoors. Reflect on your water and dust interactions and other related aspects within your environment.
Determine Your Needs for Protection:
- Regarding Dust Protection: Choose an IP rating that is dust-protected enough based on how much dust is virtually there in your environment.
- Considering Water Protection: Select an IP level according to the amount of water that may come into contact with the equipment, starting with a slight splash to complete immersion.
Enhance Your Application with the IP Rating:
- Consumer electronics: 0pt for water entry protection from IP67 to IP68, for protection against occasional immersion in water and dust tight.
- Indoor spaces: Other ratings (e.g. IP20 to IP44) that state little to no dust and water exposure occasionally might be adequate.
- Outdoor Usage: To ensure adequate protection against rain, dust, and possible submersion you need to use higher-grade circuits (e.g. IP65 to IP69).
- Industrial Applications: To safeguard against dust, high-pressure water jets, and other such harsh conditions, it is recommended to go for high grades (e.g. IP55 to IP67).
- Equipment Used Underwater: To be precise, it should be at least IP68 if you want protection from continuous immersion.
Think about other elements:
Ensure your device is heat resistant. If needed, you should consider making it chemical resistant too.
FAQs
1. What is the Highest Water Resistance Rating?
IP69 is the highest water resistance grade. It also provides total dust protection and resistance to high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, ideal for use in areas that are frequently washed down.
2. What IP Rating is Appropriate for Rain?
IPX4 or higher applies to rain conditions which means the apparatus is protected from water projected in any direction, irrespective of the angle.
3. Which IP Rating is Suitable for Water Resistant?
IPX4 to IPX6 are suitable for water resistance, they offer protection against splash water and low-pressure water jets.
4. What Does an IP Rating Measure?
An IP code determines the degree of protection against ingress of a solid body, usually in the form of dust, and against ingress of water and other liquid, which is denoted by two numerals.
5. What IP Rating is Suitable for Outdoor Use?
An IP rating of at least IP65 is relevant since the device shall be protected from ingress of dust, and low-pressure water jets from any direction fitting most weather conditions.
6. Which is Better, IP55 or IP65?
IP65 is superior to IP55 as the equipment is protected from dust and is water-proof. Whereas under the protection of IP55, the equipment only resists water jet spray and can have limited ingress of dust.
7. Is IP55 Fully Waterproof?
No, IP65 is not fully waterproof; however, it gives protection from a limited amount of dust and low-pressure water jets.
8. What IP Rating is 100% Waterproof?
IP68 is generally regarded as completely waterproof. This means that the object under consideration is protected from water even in case of continuous immersion with the specifications provided by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
As you can see, IP rating focuses more on water resistance properties of electrical systems and electronics. With this knowledge, you can confidently choose a suitable systems with the right IP rating.
For any questions about electrical enclosure protection ratings, KMD team is here to help – contact us now.
More resources:
IP Rating – Source: IEC
IP Code – Source: WIKIPEDIA
