Trystan Casey
In the context of electrical devices, IP stands for Ingress Protection, sometimes referred to as International Protection. IP ratings are a way of showing how well-protected a device is against solids, liquids, dust, moisture, and accidental contact. The IP rating system was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission and released in 1976. It is defined by the IEC 60529 standard, which classifies and provides guidelines for the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures. The first digit of an IP rating indicates the level of protection against solids, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids. For example, an IP rating of IP68 indicates dust-tight protection and protection against permanent immersion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full form | Ingress Protection or International Protection |
| Purpose | To indicate how safe electrical devices are |
| Use case | To inform users of how safe electrical devices are |
| Protection against | Dust, moisture, liquids, and accidental contact |
| Applicable on | Electrical devices, mechanical enclosures, signalling devices, junction boxes, outdoor lighting setups, instrument cases, etc. |
| IP rating range | IP00-IP69K |
| IP68 | Dust-tight and protected against permanent immersion |
| IP69 | Protected against the ingress of dust and against contact |
| IP69K | Designed for use in vehicles and must withstand additional shocks and vibrations |
| IPX4 | Protected against water spray from all directions |
| IP23 | Considered more stringent than IP23S as it covers this and IP23M (which means 'Device is in motion during water test') |
| IP22 | Typical minimum requirements for the design of electrical accessories for indoor use |
| IP44-IP65 | Can be used for both indoor and general outdoor use |
| IP65 | Provides protection against solid ingress from debris, dust, and water spray |
| IP66 | Can handle a higher level of pressurized water spray compared to IP65 |
| IP67 | Dust resistant and can be immersed in 1 meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
IP ratings indicate the protection level of an electrical device
IP stands for Ingress Protection, which is a rating system that indicates the level of protection an electrical device has against solids and liquids. The ratings consist of the letters IP, followed by two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against moisture or liquids. If a device has not been rated for one of these specifications, the digit is replaced with an X. For example, IPX6 means that the device has been rated 6 for moisture resistance, but has not been assigned a rating for protection against foreign objects.
The IP rating system was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the international standard IEC 60529. This standard aims to provide detailed information about the protection offered by electrical devices, which is often more than what is provided by vague marketing terms such as 'waterproof'. The IP rating indicates whether a device is suitable for specific environmental conditions. For example, an IP66-rated device can handle a higher level of pressurised water spray compared to an IP55-rated device, making it more suitable for outdoor use.
IP ratings are also used to indicate protection against other factors, such as dust. A device with an IP68 rating is dust-tight and protected against permanent immersion, making it suitable for use underwater. The IP69 rating means that a device is fully protected against dust ingress, while also being protected against contact.
The IP rating system is important for ensuring the safety of electrical devices in specific environments and applications. By understanding the IP rating of a device, users can determine if it is suitable for their needs and can protect against specific hazards.
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IP ratings are standardised across the world
IP stands for Ingress Protection rating, sometimes called an Internal or International Protection mark. IP ratings are standardised across the world to provide detailed information about the resistance of an electrical device against solids, liquids, dust, and water. The ratings are defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the international standard IEC 60529, which classifies and provides guidelines for the degree of protection offered by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures. This standard is published in the European Union by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) as EN 60529.
The IP rating consists of the letters "IP" followed by two digits, with the first digit indicating the level of protection against solid objects and the second digit denoting protection against liquids. The higher the number after IP, the better the protection against foreign objects. For example, IPX6 means protection against powerful jets of water, while IP6X indicates dust-tight protection.
While the IP rating system is standardised globally, there are slight differences in IP classification depending on the location. For instance, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the American standard NEMA 250 is widely used for the protection of enclosures for electrical equipment. This standard contains 13 different degrees of protection that do not directly correspond to the IP codes of the ISO or IEC standard.
The standardisation of IP codes is essential for customers and users to understand the capabilities and limitations of products in different scenarios. It provides a clear indication of the level of protection offered by a device, ensuring safety in specific environments and applications. For example, an IP68 rating indicates that a device can survive total submersion in water, while an IP66 rating provides higher protection against pressurised water spray compared to an IP65 rating.
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IP ratings consist of two digits
IP stands for Ingress Protection, which is a way of showing how effective electrical enclosures are at blocking foreign bodies such as dust, moisture, liquids, and accidental contact. The IP rating provides information about the resistance of an electrical device against solid objects and liquids.
The higher the number after IP, the better the protection against foreign bodies. IP65, IP66, and IP67 are considered waterproof for most general purposes. An IP68 rating is a step up if you need the product to survive total submersion in water. IP69 protection means that a device is fully protected against the ingress of dust and against contact.
IP ratings are determined by the international standard EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529:1992 – Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) and European IEC 60509: 1989 – Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)).
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IP68 means a device is dust-tight and protected against permanent immersion
IP stands for Ingress Protection, which indicates how well a device is protected against water and dust. It is defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the international standard IEC 60529. The IP code consists of the letters IP, followed by two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects or materials, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against moisture or liquid.
IP68 is one of the most common IP ratings found on technology devices. It signifies that a device is dust-tight and capable of withstanding immersion beyond 1 meter of water for a specified time, usually 30 minutes to 1 hour. The "6" in the first digit indicates complete protection against dust and other solid particles, while the "8" in the second digit indicates its ability to withstand water immersion beyond 1 meter. Devices with an IP68 rating are suitable for applications where they may be exposed to water for extended periods, such as underwater cameras or marine equipment.
The dust test for IP68 involves exposing the device to a controlled amount of dust in a dust chamber, ensuring no dust particles enter the enclosure. For the water immersion test, the device should continue functioning normally after being submerged to obtain the IP68 certification. While IP68 devices offer a high level of protection, they may not be suitable for applications involving high-pressure water as the rating does not guarantee protection against such conditions.
IP68-rated devices are commonly used for general outdoor applications where continuous immersion is not required. For industries where sterilization is critical, such as food processing, medical equipment, and agriculture, a higher IP rating like IP69 may be more suitable. IP69 offers protection against high-pressure liquids and steam cleaning, in addition to being dust-tight.
It is important to note that the IP rating is not equivalent to the NEMA standard, which is widely used in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the protection of enclosures for electrical equipment. The NEMA standard takes into account other factors such as corrosion resistance and mechanical load, which are not directly addressed by the IP rating.
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IP ratings are important for user safety
IP stands for Ingress Protection, and the ratings are important for user safety in a number of ways. Firstly, they provide detailed information about the resistance of an electrical device to solid objects and liquids, ensuring the user is aware of any potential hazards. For example, an IP68 rating indicates a device is dust-tight and protected against permanent immersion, while an IPX4 rating means protection against water spray from all directions.
IP ratings are especially important for outdoor electrical devices, where condensation, rain, and wind-blown foreign objects might pose a risk. For instance, an IPX5 rating or higher is necessary for outdoor lights that will be cleaned using pressurised jets. IP-rated wall boxes are also commonly used in industrial electrical systems to secure access to potentially dangerous components such as fuse boxes.
IP ratings also help users understand the durability of their devices in different environments. A lower IP rating will suffice in a less harsh environment, but in dusty or wet places, a higher IP rating is required to protect against solids and liquids. For example, an IP65 rating is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, while anything lower than IP44 should only be used indoors.
The IP rating system also provides clarity beyond vague marketing terms such as 'waterproof', which can be misleading about a product's ability to resist moisture infiltration. For instance, a product with an IP67 rating is protected from immersion, but only at a depth of 1 meter and for 30 minutes, while an IP68 rating indicates the product can survive total submersion.
Finally, IP ratings are important for user safety as they are determined by independent, certified organisations, providing legitimacy and peace of mind to customers.
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Frequently asked questions
IP stands for Ingress Protection rating, sometimes referred to as International Protection.
The first digit indicates the level of protection against solids, and the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection.
IP ratings inform users of how safe electrical devices are. They indicate the level of protection an enclosure provides against foreign bodies such as dust, liquids, and accidental contact.
IP68 means a device is dust-tight and protected against permanent immersion. IP65 and IP66 both provide protection against solid ingress from debris, dust, and water, with IP66 offering a higher level of protection against pressurised water spray.
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