IP Rating

The IP Code defined in international standard IEC 60529 classifies the degrees of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water in electrical enclosures. It consists of the letters IP (for “international protection rating”, sometimes also interpreted as “ingress protection rating”) followed by two digits and an optional letter. The standard aims to provide users more detailed information than vague marketing terms such as “waterproof”.

√ First digit The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects.

√ Second Digit Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.