IP Ratings Guide

IP Ratings consist of two numbers that indicate the degree of protection provided by an enclosure. The first number indicates the level of protection against solid objects of varying sizes and the second number indicated the degree of protection against water or liquids.

The IP rating system does not cover devices used in environments where the risk of explosion is a consideration. For environments such as oil refineries are intrinsically safe devices are needed. Also not covered are certain moisture conditions such as condensation, fungus, harmful vapour.

Solid Object Protection	Liquid Protection
Level 0: No Protection	Level 0: No Protection
Level 1: Protected against a solid object greater than 50mm, such as a hand.	Level 1: Protected against dripping water
Level 2: Protected against a solid object greater than 12.5mm, such as a finger.	Level 2: Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15º
Level 3: Protected against a solid object greater than 2.5mm, such as wire or a tool	Level 3: Protected against spraying water at an angle of up to 60º
Level 4: Protected against a solid object greater than 1.0mm, such as wire or thin strips.	Level 4: Protected against splashing water from any direction.
Level 5: Dust-protected. Prevents entry of dust sufficient to cause harm.	Level 5: Protected against jets of water from any direction
Level 6: Dust tight. No entry of dust	Level 6: Protected against heavy seas or powerful jets of water. Prevents entry sufficient to cause harm.
	Level 7: Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water.
	Level 8: Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water.