IP code: Difference between revisions

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[[International standard]] [[International Electrotechnical Commission|IEC]] 60529 classifies the level of protection that electrical appliances provide against the intrusion of solid objects or dust, accidental contact, and water. The resulting '''ingress protection rating''' is identified by a code that consists of the letters '''IP''' followed by two or three digits and an optional letter. The digits ('characteristic numerals') indicate conformity with the conditions summarized in the tables below. The third character is often omitted, resulting in a 2 digit IP rating covering ingress protection against solid objects and liquid only. Where nothing is said with regard to one of the first two digits, it is replaced with the letter '''X'''.

For example, an electrical socket rated IP22 is protected against insertion of fingers and will not be damaged or become unsafe when exposed to vertically or nearly vertically dripping water. IP22 or IP2X are typical minimum requirements for the design of electrical accessories for in-door use.