In English: IP code, International Protection Marking, or sometimes Ingress Protection rating
Minimum requirements are specified, among others, by electrical safety regulations and in product standards for electrical safety and explosion protection. Enclosure requirements are also imposed on products with high demands on reliability and where ingress of dust can cause malfunctions.
Enclosure testing is normally performed according to the global standard IEC 60529 or its European equivalent EN 60529, which has been adopted as the Swedish standard SS EN 60529.
1st digit – degree of protection against contact and penetration of solid objects.
0 – No protection. 1 – Protection against ingress of solid objects larger than 50 millimeters. 2 – Protection against ingress of solid objects larger than 12 millimeters. 3 – Protection against ingress of solid objects larger than 2.5 millimeters. 4 – Protection against ingress of solid objects larger than 1 millimeter. 5 – Dust protected (Limited dust ingress without compromising function or safety). 6 – Dust tight (No dust ingress).
2nd digit – degree of protection against water penetration.
0 – No protection. 1 – Protected against dripping water. 2 – Protected against dripping water. The apparatus must not be tilted more than 15° from the normal angle. 3 – Protected against spraying water. Max angle 60°. 4 – Protected against splashing water from all angles. 5 – Protected against water jets from a nozzle. 6 – Protected against powerful water jets. 7 – Can be temporarily immersed in water without damage. 8 – Suitable for continuous immersion in water, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 9 – Protected against high-pressure hot water jets.
More in-depth information / How testing is performed to determine IP class.
Source: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
