A guide to the levels of ingress protection (IP) for electrical and electronic equipment

WHAT IS AN IP CODE?

An IP code refers to the different levels of protection an enclosure provides.
The code contains two separated numerals, the first numeral indicates protection against access to hazardous parts and protection of equipment against ingress of solid foreign objects, including dusts. The second numeral indicates protection of equipment against harmful ingress of water.
There may also be two additional characters, the first is referred to as the additional letter, the second is a supplementary letter.

WHY DOES A PRODUCT NEED TO BE IP TESTED?

The IP Standard is designed to test a product’s suitability for a specific environment. Many safety standards require (Including the ATEX Directive) IP testing as a basic requirement for environmental testing against external influence such as water ingress, dust ingress and protection against contact with live parts.

THE DIFFERENT IP CODE DEFINITIONS

The first numeral indicates protection of equipment against ingress of solid foreign objects.

1. Protection of the back of the hand against accidental access to hazardous parts, and protection of equipment against objects longer than 50mm2.
2. Protection of fingers against access to hazardous parts and protection of equipment against objects larger than 12.5mm2.
3. Protection of persons holding wires (larger than 2.5mm diameter) and protection of equipment against objects larger than 2.5mm2.
4. Protection of persons holding tools on wires (larger than 1mm diameter) and protection of equipment against objects larger than 1mm2.
5. Protection against entry of dust in sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of equipment.
6. Complete protection against entry of dust.

The second numeral indicates protection of equipment against harmful ingress of water

1. Protection against drops of water falling vertically.
2. Protection against drops of water falling vertically when the object is tilted by up to 15° from its normal position (in any direction).
3. Protection against spraying water at up to 60° from the vertical.
4. Protection against splashing and spraying water from all practicable directions.
5. Protection against a low-pressure jet of water from all practicable directions.
6. Protection against heavy seas or a strong jet of water from all practicable directions.
7. Protection against temporary immersion.
8. Protection against continuous immersion (tests subject to agreement, but no less severe than second numeral 7).