Enclosure Solutions

This standard describes a system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment. This standard tests and classifies the enclosure in accordance with internationally recognised designations, the letters IP are followed by two characteristic numerals. These are explained briefly in the table below.

The first characteristic numeral or digit of the IP code indicates the degree that persons are protected against contact with moving parts, and the degree that equipment is protected against foreign bodies intruding into the enclosure.

The second characteristic numeral or digit of the IP code indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture.

PROTECTION OF EQUIPMENT AGAINST INGRESS OF SOLID BODIES AND LIQUIDS
	DEGREE OF PROTECTION
	Protected Against	Definition
IP0X	Non-protected	-
IP1X	Access to hazardous parts with the back of a hand.	An access probe, sphere of 50 mm *, shall have adequate clearance from hazardous parts.
IP1X	Solid foreign objects of * 50 mm *.	An object probe, sphere of 50 mm *, shall not fully penetrate.
IP2X	Access to hazardous parts with finger.	A jointed test finger of 12 mm *, 80 mm length, shall have adequate clearance from hazardous parts
IP2X	Solid foreign objects of * 12.5 mm *.	An object probe, sphere of 12.5 mm *, shall not fully penetrate.
IP3X	Access to hazardous parts with a tool.	An access probe of 2.5 mm * shall not penetrate.
IP3X	Solid foreign objects of * 2.5 mm *.	An object probe of 2.5 mm * shall not penetrate at all.
IP4X	Access to hazardous parts with a wire.	An access probe of 1.0 mm * shall not penetrate.
IP4X	Solid foreign objects of * 1.0 mm *.	An object probe of 1.0 mm * shall not penetrate at all.
IP5X	Access to hazardous parts with a wire.	An access probe of 1.0 mm * shall not penetrate.
IP5X	Dust (protected).	Ingress of dust is not totally prevented, but dust shall not penetrate in a sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the apparatus or to impair safety.
IP6X	Hazardous parts with a wire.	An access probe of 1.0 mm * shall not penetrate.
IP6X	Dust (tight).	No ingress of dust.
IPX0	Non-protected.	-
IPX1	Vertically falling water drops.	Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects.
IPX2	Vertically falling water drops when enclosure tilted up to 15*.	Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15* on either side of the vertical.
IPX3	Spraying water.	Water sprayed at an angle up to 60* on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects.
IPX4	Splashing water.	Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
IPX5	Water jets.	Water projected in jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
IPX6	Powerful water jets.	Water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
IPX7	The effects of temporary immersion in water.	Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall be prevented when the enclosure is immersed in 1m of water for 30 minutes.
IPX8	The effects of continuous immersion in water.	Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall be prevented when the enclosure is continuously immersed in water under conditions which shall be agreed between manufacturer and user (>IPX7).

Table IP rating: IP codes, protection and description