IP code and classification

How do I read the protection ratings?

The IP protection rating system is a standard defined in international standard IEC 60529. This rating system classifies the degree of protection provided by an electrical equipment enclosure against solid objects (such as dust) and liquids (water, oil, etc.). The degree of protection provided by an enclosure is indicated with a two-digit (IPXX) system as described below:

The first number corresponds to the degree of protection provided against solid objects. The second number corresponds to the degree of protection provided against liquids. The rating IP66 thus corresponds to a product that is completely dust-tight and protected against powerful water jetting.

Note: if the criterion has not been tested for, the number will be replaced by the letter “X” (for example, the rating IPX6 indicates that the enclosure was not tested for protection against the ingress of solid objects).

Up to and including second characteristic numeral 6, the designation implies compliance also with the requirements for all lower characteristic numerals. Equipment with an IP65 certification is thus authorized for applications requiring an IP55 or IP64 certification.

IEC 60529 standard (article 6) considers that an enclosure designated with second characteristic numeral 7 or 8 is unsuitable for exposure to water jets (designated by second characteristic numeral 5 or 6) unless it is dual coded (ex: IPX5/IPX7 or IPX6/IPX7). Hence, IP classfication IP66/67 found on some Easy-Laser units means that they are dust-tight (first characteristic numeral) and protected against powerful jetting and protected against temporary immersion up to 1 m for 30 min (second characteristic numerals 6 and 7). Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible.

 

The first number indicates the degree of protection against solid objects	The second number indicates the degree of protection against liquids
X: Not measured	X: Not measured
0: Non-protected	0: Non-protected
1 = protected against ingress of solid foreign objects ≥ 50 mm in diameter	1 = Protected against vertical dripping
2 = protected against ingress of solid foreign objects ≥ 12.5 mm in diameter	2 = Protected against dripping (15% tilt)
3 = protected against ingress of solid foreign objects ≥ 2.5 mm in diameter	3 = Protected against spraying (60% tilt)
4 = protected against ingress of solid foreign objects ≥ 1 mm in diameter	4 = Protected against splashing
5 = protected against dust (limited entry, no harmful deposits)	5 = Protected against jetting
6 = dust-tight	6 = Protected against powerful jetting
	7 = Protected against temporary immersion (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) - ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible.
	8 = Protected against continuous immersion (depth of more than 1 meter for period of time specified by the manufacturer). The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water. However, this can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects.