This is a reminder about IP (for “Ingress Protection”) ratings. They are defined in international standard EN 60529, and set the levels of sealing effectiveness of enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies and moisture. The numbers that follow IP each have a specific meaning. The first indicates the degree of protection of people from moving internal parts, as well as the protection of the enclosed equipment from foreign bodies. The second defines the protection level that the enclosure offers from various severities of liquid penetration: drips, sprays, submersion and so on.
Scope of protection
0 No protection
1 Protection against contact by the hand with active or internal moving parts. Protection against penetration of solid bodies with a diameter greater than 50 mm.
2 Protection against contact by the fingers with active or internal moving parts. Protection against penetration of solid objects with a diameter greater than 12mm.
3 Protection against contact with active or internal moving parts with tools, wires, etc. of a thickness greater than 2.5 mm. Protection against penetration of solid objects with a diameter greater than 2.5 mm.
4 Protection against contact with active or internal moving parts with tools, and wires greater than 1 mm.
5 Complete protection against contact with live or internal moving parts and protection against harmful dust accumulation. The penetration of dust is not completely prevented, but it may not penetrate in such quantities that the operation of the equipment is affected.
6 Complete protection against contract with live or internal moving parts. Total protection against the ingress of dust.
Scope of protection
0 No protection
1 Protected against vertically falling drops of water
2 Protected against direct sprays of water from up to 15 degrees from the vertical
3 Protected against direct sprays of water from up to 60 degrees from the vertical
4 Protected against water sprayed from all directions: limited ingress that does not affect the equipment operation is permitted
5 Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions: limited ingress that does not affect the equipment operation is permitted
6 Protected against strong jets of water from all directions: limited ingress that does not affect the equipment operation is permitted
7 Protected against immersion between 150mm and 1m for up to 30 minutes: limited ingress that does not affect the equipment operation is permitted
8 Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure: limited ingress that does not affect the equipment operation is permitted.