Ultimate Guide to IP Ratings. IP ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, are used to classify the degree of protection that electrical equipment provides against dust and water. These ratings are defined in the international standard IEC 60529.
IP ratings are important for choosing the right electrical equipment for your needs. For example, if you need equipment that will be used outdoors or in a dusty environment, you will need equipment with a high IP rating for dust protection. If you need equipment that will be used in a wet environment, you will need equipment with a high IP rating for water protection.
What is an IP rating?
An IP rating is a two-digit code that indicates the level of protection that electrical equipment provides against dust and water. The first digit indicates the level of protection against dust, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against water.
First digit: Dust protection
- 0: No protection
- 1: Protected against solid objects of 50 mm diameter or greater
- 2: Protected against solid objects of 12.5 mm diameter or greater
- 3: Protected against solid objects of 2.5 mm diameter or greater
- 4: Protected against solid objects of 1 mm diameter or greater
- 5: Dust-protected
- 6: Dust-tight
Second digit: Water protection
- 0: No protection
- 1: Protected against dripping water
- 2: Protected against vertical dripping water
- 3: Protected against spraying water
- 4: Protected against splashing water
- 5: Protected against water jets
- 6: Protected against powerful water jets
- 7: Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water
- 8: Protected against the effects of prolonged immersion in water
IP rating examples
- IP65: Dust-tight and protected against water jets
- IP67: Dust-tight and protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water
- IP68: Dust-tight and protected against the effects of prolonged immersion in water
IP ratings and real-world use.
These IP ratings are used in a wide variety of industries and applications. Here are some examples:
- Smartphones: Many smartphones now have IP ratings, which makes them more durable and resistant to dust and water damage. For example, the iPhone 13 Pro has an IP68 rating, which means it is dust-tight and protected against the effects of prolonged immersion in water.
- Outdoor lighting: Outdoor lighting fixtures need to have a high IP rating for water protection, so that they can withstand the elements. For example, a solar-powered outdoor light fixture might have an IP65 rating, which means it is dust-tight and protected against water jets.
- Industrial equipment: Industrial equipment, such as motors and pumps, often needs to have a high IP rating for both dust and water protection. This is because industrial equipment is often used in harsh environments, where it is exposed to dust, water, and other contaminants.
- Medical devices: Medical devices need to have a high IP rating to protect them from dust and water, which could potentially contaminate patients. For example, a surgical robot might have an IP67 rating, which means it is dust-tight and protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water.
Benefits of choosing IP-rated equipment.
There are many benefits to choosing IP-rated equipment. IP-rated equipment is:
- More durable and resistant to damage
- Safer to use
- Less likely to require repairs
- More reliable
- Longer-lasting
How to choose the right IP rating for your needs.
When choosing IP-rated equipment, it is important to consider the environment in which it will be used. If the equipment will be used in a dusty or wet environment, you will need to choose equipment with a high IP rating.
You should also consider the specific type of equipment you need. For example, if you need equipment that will be used outdoors, you will need equipment with a high IP rating for water protection. If you need equipment that will be used in an industrial setting, you will need equipment with a high IP rating for both dust and water protection.
IP ratings and specific applications.
Here are some examples of specific applications where IP ratings are important:
- Construction: Construction sites are often dusty and wet environments. Therefore, electrical equipment used on construction sites should have a high IP rating for both dust and water protection.
- Food and beverage processing: Food and beverage processing facilities are often subjected to high levels of humidity and condensation. Therefore, electrical equipment used in food and beverage processing facilities should have a high IP rating for water protection.
- Marine applications: Electrical equipment used in marine applications is exposed to salt.
Hope you’ve found our article, Ultimate Guide to IP Ratings useful.
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