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The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization developed the Ingress Protection (IP) ratings (CENELEC) (described IEC/EN 60529), this specifies the protection a piece of electrical equipment or enclosures provides from the environment.
The way in which the index and classification works is as follows: The IP will be made up of two numbers the first states the level of mechanical protection from thing such as dust and other solid objects. The second number indicates the degree of protection from water and other liquids.
An example of this would be with an IP code 56. It would be protected against dust, and also against heavy water spray.
IP First number - Protection against solid objects
| 0 |
No protection. |
| 1 |
Protected against solid objects up to 50mm, e.g. accidental touch by hands. |
| 2 |
Protected against solid objects up to 12mm, e.g. fingers. |
| 3 |
Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (tools and wires). |
| 4 |
Protected against solid objects over 1mm (tools, wire, and small wires). |
| 5 |
Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit). |
| 6 |
Totally protected against dust. |
IP Second number - Protection against liquids
| 0 |
No protection. |
| 1 |
Protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation. |
| 2 |
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15° from the vertical. |
| 3 |
Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60° from the vertical. |
| 4 |
Protection against water sprayed from all directions. limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 |
Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions. limited ingress. |
| 6 |
Protected against low pressure jets of water, e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 |
Protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m. |
| 8 |
Protects against long periods of immersion under pressure. |
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