Umair Gaines
In electrical terms, IP stands for Ingress Protection, an international standard set up to indicate conformity in solid and liquid protection for electrical devices. The IP rating is found on handheld devices and goes all the way up to industrial electrical enclosures. The two digits following IP each have a specific meaning: the first indicates the degree of protection from solid foreign bodies, and the second defines the protection level the enclosure has from moisture. For example, an IP67-rated enclosure prevents the ingress of dust and protects against temporary immersion in water for up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.
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What You'll Learn
IP is an international standard for electrical devices
IP, or Ingress Protection, is an international standard set up for conformity in solid and liquid protection for electrical devices. The IP rating is defined in international standard EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529:1992, European IEC 60509:1989) and is used to set the levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures and devices against intrusion from foreign bodies such as dirt and water.
The IP rating consists of the letters IP followed by two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solids, while the second indicates the level of protection against various forms of moisture. The higher the number after IP, the better the protection against foreign bodies. For example, an IP rating of IP67 means that the device is protected against solid objects and temporary immersion in water for up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.
The IP rating is important for ensuring that electrical devices are suitable for the environmental conditions in which they will be used. For example, a device that is suitable for a clean environment like a medical process would be ineffective in a dirtier environment such as a steel foundry. IP ratings of between 44 and 65 may be used for both indoor and general outdoor use, while anything lower than IP44 should only be used indoors.
In addition to the two digits, there are also other letters that can be used after the IP rating to signify other protection levels. For example, the letter "B" means protection against access to hazardous parts with a finger. It is important to note that the term "waterproof" is only applicable under certain conditions and that there is a distinct difference between being waterproof and water-resistant.
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The first digit of an IP rating indicates protection against solids
IP stands for Ingress Protection rating, sometimes called an Internal or International Protection mark. The first digit of an IP rating indicates the level of protection against solids, such as dust, tools, fingers, or other potentially harmful particles. This digit is a number between 0 and 6, with 0 indicating no protection and 6 denoting complete protection against dust ingress.
For example, an IP65 or IP66 rating provides protection against solid ingress from debris, dirt, and dust. The main difference between these two ratings is their level of protection against liquid ingress. An IP66-rated enclosure can handle a higher level of pressurized water spray compared to an IP65-rated enclosure.
An IP67 rating means that the enclosure provides protection against solid ingress and temporary immersion in water for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Similarly, an electrical socket rated IP22 is protected against the insertion of fingers and will not become unsafe during a specified test in which it is exposed to dripping water.
The IP rating system is an international standard set up for conformity in solid and liquid protection for electrical devices. It is important to remember that the first number covers protection against solids, while the second number indicates protection against moisture ingress.
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The second digit indicates protection against moisture
The IP rating, or Ingress Protection rating, is an international standard for protection against solids and liquids for electrical devices. The letters 'IP' are followed by two numerals that indicate the degree of protection offered. The first digit covers protection against solids, while the second digit indicates the level of protection from moisture.
The second digit of the IP rating shows how well a material resists moisture ingress at different depths, angles, intensities, and pressures of immersion or exposure. The second digit, ranging from 0 to 9, indicates the exact level of protection against moisture ingress. A rating of 0 indicates no protection or no test required, while a rating of 7 protects against temporary immersion in water for up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. A rating of 8 or 9 indicates even higher protection against moisture. For example, a rating of 8 protects against prolonged immersion under pressure, while a rating of 9 provides protection against steam cleaning with high-pressure, high-temperature jet washes.
The IP rating system provides a detailed description of the specific degree of protection offered by a product. This allows customers and users to understand the product's abilities and limitations in different scenarios. For example, a product with an IP65 rating offers protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction, making it suitable for most outdoor enclosures that will not encounter extreme weather. On the other hand, an IP67 rating provides protection against temporary submersion at depths of up to one meter for 30 minutes, while an IP68 rating offers protection from immersion depths of at least one meter.
The IP rating system helps to standardise the level of protection offered by electrical devices, ensuring that products are suitable for their intended environments. By understanding the IP rating of a product, users can make informed decisions about the suitability of the product for their specific needs.
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IP65, IP66, and IP67 are common ratings
IP ratings are a globally recognised system that classifies and rates the degree of protection against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures. The IP rating consists of two digits, such as IP68, where the first digit covers protection against solids and the second number covers protection against water.
IP65 is sufficient for protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction with limited ingress permitted. This makes IP65 enclosures ideal for indoor or outdoor use, protecting against dust and water sprays.
IP66 enclosures can handle a higher level of pressurised water spray compared to IP65. They are rated to protect against high-pressure water jets and are the highest level of waterproof protection.
IP67 enclosures are ideal for applications where the equipment may be temporarily submerged in water. This includes outdoor applications prone to flooding or industrial settings with extensive cleaning processes that may involve temporary immersion in water.
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IP68 is considered total protection against solids and moisture
IP, or Ingress Protection, is an international standard rating system for electrical devices. It measures the level of protection a device has against foreign bodies such as dirt, dust, moisture, and liquids. The IP rating consists of two digits, with some ratings also including a third digit or letter. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solids, and the second indicates the level of protection against moisture.
IP68 is one of the most common IP ratings found on technology devices. The first digit, 6, indicates that the device is dust-tight and provides total protection against solids. The second digit, 8, indicates that the device is protected against total submersion in water. This means that the device can be submerged to a depth of at least one meter for more than 30 minutes.
IP68-rated devices are often used in challenging conditions where critical assets are at stake. They provide the highest standard of dust and water resistance available. While IP68 does indicate total protection against solids and moisture, it is important to note that this can be vague and may not cover all types of water, such as saltwater or chlorinated pool water. Additionally, IP68-rated devices may not be tested to withstand rain or spray.
The IP rating system provides a quick way to understand the protective qualities of an electrical enclosure. It is important to refer to the manufacturer's specifications and requirements to fully understand the level of protection provided by an IP68-rated device.
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Frequently asked questions
IP stands for Ingress Protection.
An IP rating provides information about the resistance of an electrical device against solid objects and liquids. It is an international standard set up for conformity in solid and liquid protection for electrical devices.
All electrical devices that have an IP rating will have a two-digit rating. The first digit covers protection against solids, and the second covers protection against liquids.
Both IP65 and IP66 ratings provide protection against solid ingress from debris, dust and other foreign bodies. The main difference is that IP66 can handle a higher level of pressurised water spray.
The highest level of protection offered by an IP rating is IP68, which protects against dust and prolonged immersion in water under pressure.
