IP Ratings

IP numbers are often quoted on enclosures, connectors etc to indicate protection from solids, liquids and impact. The table below gives a description of these ratings. Note that the third number, protection against impacts, is often omitted.

IP # First Number - Protection against solids Second Number - Protection against liquids Third Number - Protection against mechanical impacts (often omitted)
0 No Protection No Protection No Protection
1 Protected against solid objects over 50mm Protected against vertically falling drops of water Protected against impact of 0.225 joules
2 Protected against solid objects over 12mm Protected against direct sprays up to 15 deg. from vertical Protected against impact of 0.375 joules
3 Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm Protected against direct sprays up to 60 deg. from vertical Protected against impact of 0.5 joules
4 Protected against solid objects over 1mm Protected against direct sprays from all directions - limited ingress permitted Protected against impact of 2.0 joules
5 Protected against dust - limited ingress permitted Protected against low pressure jets from all directions - limited ingress permitted Protected against impact of 6.0 joules
6 Totally protected against dust Protected against strong jets from all directions - limited ingress permitted Protected against impact of 20.0 joules
7   Protected against effects of immersion from 15cm - 1m  
8   Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure  

Top | Back to Index