Ingress protection rating is rating of protection of electronic equipment against objects, liquid and shock.
The designation to indicate the degrees of protection consists of the characteristic letters IP followed by three numerals (the 'characteristic numerals') indicating conformity with the conditions stated in tables below. The third character is often ommitted, resulting in a 2 digit IP rating covering ingress protection against solid objects and liquid only.
First Numeral
Protection of persons against contact with or approach to live parts and against contact with moving parts (other than smooth rotating shafts and the like) inside the enclosure and protection of the equipment against ingress of solid foreign bodies.
| Level | Protected against | Effective against |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not protected | Nothing |
| 1 | solid objects greater than 50mm (1.97in) |
A large surface of the body, such as a hand (no protection against deliberate access). Solid objects exceeding 50mm (1.97in) in diameter. |
| 2 | solid objects greater than 12mm (0.47in) |
Fingers or similar objects not exceeding 80mm (3.15in) in length. Solid objects exceeding12mm in diameter. |
| 3 | solid objects greater than 2.5mm (0.47in) |
Tools, wires, etc., of diameter of thickness greater than 2.5mm. Solid objects exceeding 2.5mm in diameter. |
| 4 | solid objects greater than 1mm (0.10in) |
Wires or other similar solid material of thickness greater than 1mm (0.10in) in diameter. Solid objects exceeding 1mm in diameter. |
| 5 | Dust protected |
Dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of equipment. |
| 6 | Dust tight |
No ingress of dust |
Second Numeral
Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.
| Level | Protected against | Effective against |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not protected | Nothing |
| 1 | dripping water |
Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect. |
| 2 | dripping water when tilted up to 15 degrees |
Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees from its normal position. |
| 3 | spraying water |
Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60 degrees from the vertical shall have no harmful effect. |
| 4 | splashing water |
Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect. |
| 5 | water jets |
Water projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | heavy seas |
Water from heavy seas or projected in powerful jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities. |
| 7 | the effects of emersion |
Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time. |
| 8 | submersion |
The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. NOTE Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that produces no harmful effects. |
Third Numeral
Protection against mechanical impact damage
| Level | Protected against | Effective against |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not protected | |
| 1 | 0.225 joules impact |
Equivalent to impact of 150 gram mass dropped from 15cm above impacted surface. |
| 2 | 0.375 joules impact |
Equivalent to impact of 250 gram mass dropped from 15cm above impacted surface. |
| 3 | 0.5 joules impact |
Equivalent to impact of 250 gram mass dropped from 20cm above impacted surface. |
| 5 | 2.0 joules impact |
Equivalent to impact of 500 gram mass dropped from 40cm above impacted surface. |
| 7 | 6.0 joules impact |
Equivalent to impact of 1.5 kilogram mass dropped from 40cm above impacted surface. |
| 9 | 20.0 joules impact |
Equivalent to impact of 5.0 kilogram mass dropped from 40cm above impacted surface. |