The index of protection – the IP – is an essential characteristic of most of the electrical devices. The IP – index of protection – shows the protection rate of the device from any external agents. It is composed of IP and 2 numbers, which show:
- the first digit describes the degree of protection rate against solid objects, dust, the solid particles and bodies;
- the second digit describes the degree of protection offered against liquids.
The IP rating is valid when the environment conditions are standard; in special cases and hazardous environments(intense heat, mines, etc), special protection is required.
The first IP digit – protection against solid object(X – can differ; see below for options)
- IP0X – No protection from solid bodies, no solid protection;
- IP1X – Protection from the objects with a diameter larger than 50 mm(ex. Contact with the hand). It does not include intentional access.
- IP2X – Protection from the objects with a diameter larger than 12 mm(ex. Contact with the finger, or similar objects with a length of max. 80mm). Ex: downlights and light strips (IP20)
- IP3X – Protection from the objects with a diameter larger than 2.5 mm(ex. Contact with wires larger/longer than 2.5mm). Ex: switches and sockets (IP3X)
- IP4X – Protection from the objects with a diameter larger than 1 mm(ex. fine wires or strips larger/longer than 1mm). Ex: insulated encloser consummer unit (IP40)
- IP5X – Protection from the harmful levels of dust. The dust is not fully stopped from entering in, but it’s intrusion does not block the normal activity of the device. Ex: weatherproof unswitched socket(IP55);
- IP6X – Total protection from dust – no dust enters in. Ex: waterproof sockets, garden spotlights, etc(IP64);
The second IP digit – protection against liquids, water(X – can differ; see below for options)
- IPX0 – No special protection against water or liquids;
- IPX1 – The enclosure provides protection from vertical falling water only, the vertical drops of falling water will not enter in;
- IPX2 – The enclosure provides protection from water falling at up to 15° from vertical; the vertical drops of water have no effect on it, when the device is tilted up to 15° from the normal position;
- IPX3 – The enclosure provides protection from water falling at up to 60° from vertical; the vertical drops of water/water spray have no effect on it, when the device is tilted up to 60° from the normal position;
- IPX4 – The enclosure provides protection from water splashed from all directions;
- IPX5 – The enclosure provides protection from low pressure water jets, like a nozzle;
- IPX6 – The enclosure provides protection from high pressure/powerful water jets, like the sea water, from any direction;
- IPX7 – The enclosure provides protection from temporary submersion in water, up to 1m in depth, when the device is either dropped or placed in water for a limited time and depth=1m;
- IPX8 – The enclosure provides protection from liquids and water for an extended set time of submersion in water, up to a specified depth;
For more info and examples, visit the sparks direct website. This article was also posted on google knol. See below a sample chart with the IP ratings for electrical devices.
I have 12 volt light fittings in my bathroom , flush halogen . Do these have a different IP Rating to those similar but of 230 volt?
In order for a light fitting to be placed/sited in the bathroom, it has to be IP rated; your fitting also has a certain IP rating. The same IP rating has to be applied to any other light fitting – whether low voltage(12V) or mains voltage(230V) – if you want to place it in the bathroom(and there are 3 bathroom zones). So in a way it doesn’t matter the voltage – the IP rating is the same, has to be high enough in order to allow a fitting to be in the bathroom.