IP Protection Classes

Also known as the IP code, the IP protection class indicates a product’s resistance against the ingress of liquids and dust. The expansion of the IP Code is given as “International Protection Code” or “Ingress Protection Code”. The standard defined by IEC / EN 60529 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission.The IP Code was created to standardize protection ratings and to correctly classify the durability of products.A 2-digit system is used for the IP rating; the meanings of these digits are:

• The first digit: protection against solids
• The second digit: protection against liquids

The protection levels corresponding to the ratings are given in the tables below.

• The 1st digit, which specifies the degree of dust protection, ranges from 0 to 6.

Protection Level	Protection
0	No protection
1	Protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm in diameter
2	Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm in diameter
3	Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5 mm in diameter
4	Protection against solid objects larger than 1 mm in diameter
5	Dust protected
6	Dust tight

 

• The 2nd digit, which specifies protection against water, ranges from 0 to 8.

Protection Level	Protection
0	No protection
1	Protected against vertically falling water drops
2	Protected against water drops falling at up to a 15-degree angle
3	Protected against spraying water (up to a 60-degree angle)
4	Protected against splashing water
5	Protected against water jets
6	Protected against powerful water jets
7	Protected against short-term immersion in water (up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter)
8	Protected against continuous immersion in water (at a depth of 3 meters)

 For example, an LED lighting fixture with an IP65 protection class is dust tight and resistant to water jets and can be used outdoors. However, when submerged in water, it may allow water to enter. A fixture with an IP67 rating, on the other hand, is dust tight and can be immersed in water up to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.