IP Protection Water / Dust / Contact Tests

Degrees of protection according to standard IEC 60529

IP Protection Water / Dust / Contact Tests

The IP Code consists of the letters IP followed by digits and an optional letter. As defined in international standard IEC 60529, it classifies the degrees of protection againts the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidnetal contact and water in electrical enclosures. The standard aims to provide users more detailed information vague marketing terms such as waterproof.

The digits (characteristic numerals) indicate conformity with the conditions summarized in the table below. For example, an electrical socket rated IP22 is protected againts insertion of fingers and will not be damaged or become unsafe during a speciefied test in which it is exposed to vertically or nearly vertically dripping water. IP22 of 2x are typical minium requirements for design of electrical acceessories for indoor use.

For more information about the water tests, see: Water test (only in Dutch available) and for Dust tests, see Dust tests. only in Dutch available)

Sample IP Rating

 

IP                         
6                         
8                  
 First digit: solidsSecond Digit: Liquids         

 

First Digit: Solids

The first digit inducates the level of protection that the enclosure provides againts acces tot hazardous parts and the ingress of solid foreign objects, for more info about Dust test, see Dust test.
 

Level
Object size protected against 
Effective againts
0not protectedNo protection againts contact and ingress of objects
1> 50mmAny large surface of the body, sush as the back of the hand, but no protection againts deliberate contact with a body part
2> 12,5 mmFingers of similar objects
3> 2,5mmTools, think wires, etc.
4>1 mmMost wires, screws, etc. 
5Dust Protected Ingress of dust is not enterely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the statsfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact
6Dust TightNo ingress of dust: complete protection againts contact

Second Digit: Liquids

Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water, for more info about Rain tests see: Rain tests.

Level
Object size protected against
Effective againts
0Not protectedNo protection againts Liquids
1Dripping waterDrippingwater (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmfull effect 
2Dripping water when tilled up to 15°Vertically dripping water shall have no harmfully effect when the enclosure is tilled at an angle up to 15° from its normaly position
3Spraying water water failling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical, shall hav no harmful effect
4Splashing water Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect
5Water jets Water projected in powerful jets (6,3mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects
6Powerful water jetsWater projected in powerful jets (12,5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects
7Immersion up to 1mngress 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)
8Immersion beyond 1m The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacture. Normally, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produce no harmful effects