What is an IP Rating?
An Ingress Protection (IP) Rating, also known as International Protection Marking, is a standardized code that indicates the level of protection a product has against the intrusion of solid-state particles and liquid particles. These codes are specified by manufacturers to inform consumers about the durability and resilience of their products. The standards are set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the IEC 60529 guidelines and are recognized globally.
How to Read an IP Code
An IP code starts with the letters “IP” followed by two digits or the letter X. The first digit (ranging from 0 to 6) represents protection against solid objects, while the second digit (ranging from 0 to 9K) indicates protection against liquid ingress. The letter X signifies that the product was not tested for that specific category.
IP Rating Chart
| Digit | First Digit (Solid Protection) | Second Digit (Liquid Protection) |
| 0 | No protection assured | No protection assured |
| 1 | >50mm (e.g., hands) | Vertical drops of water |
| 2 | >12.5mm (e.g., fingers) | Vertical drops when tilted up to 15° |
| 3 | >2.5mm (e.g., wires) | Direct sprays up to 60° |
| 4 | >1mm (e.g., tools, small wires) | Water splashing from any angle |
| 5 | Limited dust ingress | Water jets from any angle |
| 6 | Fully dust tight | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 meter for 30 min | |
| 8 | Long periods of immersion over 1 meter | |
| 9k | High-pressure water jets and steam cleaning |
What Does IP44 Mean?
Solid Protection
IP44-rated products are protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm, such as tools and small wires.
Liquid Protection
These products are also protected against water splashing from any direction but are not waterproof. They should not be immersed in water.
Applications
- Outdoor Use: Suitable for areas with occasional splashes but not heavy rain.
- Bathroom Use: Ideal for damp areas but should be installed away from direct water sources like showers or bathtubs.
What Does IP54 Mean?
Solid Protection
IP54-rated products offer protection against limited dust ingress that could interfere with normal operation but are not fully dust-tight.
Liquid Protection
These products are protected against water splashing from any angle but are not waterproof.
Applications
- Outdoor Use: Suitable for outdoor settings provided they are not exposed to heavy rain.
- Bathroom Use: Can be used in bathrooms but should be installed at a safe distance from direct water sources.
What Does IP55 Mean?
Solid Protection
IP55-rated products offer similar dust protection as IP54, protecting against quantities of dust that could interfere with normal operation but not fully dust-tight.
Liquid Protection
These products are protected against water jets projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) from any angle.
Applications
- Outdoor Use: Suitable for more demanding outdoor conditions compared to IP44 and IP54.
- Bathroom Use: Can be used in bathrooms with better resistance to water jets compared to lower ratings.
Conclusion
When choosing a product based on its IP rating, it’s essential to consider where and how you plan to use it. Higher ratings like IP65 offer more robust protection against both solids and liquids compared to lower ratings like IP44 or IP54. Always check the specific requirements for your application to ensure optimal performance and safety.