Have you ever wondered what those IP ratings actually mean?
IP ratings - they're a crucial factor in determining a device's resistance to water and dust. Let's take a deeper look into what IP ratings are and why they matter.
What are IP Ratings?
IP ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, are a system used to classify the degree of protection provided by enclosures against intrusion by foreign objects, like dust and water. The rating consists of two digits, each representing a different level of protection.
Understanding the IP Rating System
IP First Digit - Solid Particle Protection
The first digit indicates the level of solid particle ingress protection the enclosure provides and against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts).
| Digit | Sized Particles | Description |
| X | - | X means no data is available to specify a protection rating about this criterion |
| 0 | - | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | >50 mm (2 in) | Protection against any large surface of the body, no protection against deliberate contact |
| 2 | >12.5 mm (0.49 in) | Protection against finger or similar sized objects |
| 3 | >2.5 mm (0.098 in) | Protection against tool, thick wires, or similar sized objects |
| 4 | >1 mm (0.039 in) | Protection from most wires, screws, and insects the size of ants |
| 5 | Dust Protected | Protection against quantities of dust that interfere with equipment operation, not completely dust-tight |
| 6 | Dust-Tight | No ingress of dust. Complete protection against contact (dust-tight) |
IP Second Digit - Liquid Ingress Protection
The second digit indicates the level of liquid ingress protection the enclosure provides.
Beyond IPX6, the ratings for water ingress are not cumulative. A device compliant with IPX7 (covering water immersion) is not necessarily compliant with IPX5 or IPX6 (covering exposure to water jets). A device that meets both tests is indicated by listing both tests separated by a slash, e.g. IPX5/IPX7.
| Digit | Protection Against | Effective Against | Description |
| X | - | - | No data available for this rating |
| 0 | None | - | No protection against ingress of water |
| 1 | Dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect on the specimen when mounted in an upright position onto a turntable and rotated at 1 RPM. | Test duration: 10 minutes. Water equivalent to 1 mm (0.039 in) rainfall per minute |
| 2 | Dripping water when titled at 15° | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15° from its normal position. A total of four positions are tested within two axes. | Test duration: 2.5 minutes for every direction of tilt (10 minutes total) Water equivalent to 3 mm (0.12 in) rainfall per minute |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture or b) A spray nozzle with a counterbalanced shield. Test a) is conducted for 5 minutes, then repeated with the specimen rotated horizontally by 90° for the second 5-minute test. Test b) is conducted (with a shield in place) for 5 minutes minimum. | For a spray nozzle: Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 5 minutes[5] Water volume: 10 litres per minute (0.037 impgal/s) Pressure: 50–150 kPa (7.3–21.8 psi)For an oscillating tube: Test duration: 10 minutes Water volume: 0.07 litres per minute (0.00026 impgal/s) per hole |
| 4 | Splashing of water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture or b) A spray nozzle with no shield. Test a) is conducted for 10 minutes. b) is conducted (without shield) for 5 minutes minimum. | Oscillating tube: Test duration: 10 minutes, or spray nozzle (same as IPX3 spray nozzle with the shield removed) |
| 5 | Water jets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm (0.25 in) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. | Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes. Water volume: 12.5 litres per minute Pressure: 30 kPa (4.4 psi) at a distance of 3 meters (9.8 ft) |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm (0.49 in)) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. | Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes. Water volume: 100 litres per minute (0.37 impgal/s) Pressure: 100 kPa (15 psi) at a distance of 3 meters (9.8 ft) |
| 6K | Powerful water jets with increased pressure | Water projected in powerful jets (6.3 mm (0.25 in) nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction, under elevated pressure, shall have no harmful effects. Found in DIN 40050, and not IEC 60529. | Test duration: at least 3 minutes Water volume: 75 liters per minute (0.27 impgal/s) Pressure: 1,000 kPa (150 psi) at distance of 3 meters (9.8 ft) |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 m (3 ft 3in) depth | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) of submersion). | Test duration: 30 minutes. Tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1,000 mm (39 in) below the surface of the water, or the highest point 150 mm (5.9 in) below the surface, whichever is deeper. |
| 8 | Immersion, 1 m (3 ft 3in) depth or more | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions that shall be specified by the manufacturer. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. The test depth and duration is expected to be greater than the requirements for IPx7, and other environmental effects may be added, such as temperature cycling before immersion. | Test duration: Agreement with manufacturer depth specified by the manufacturer, generally up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) |
| 9K* | Powerful high-temperature water jets | Protected against close-range high pressure, high-temperature spray downs. Smaller specimens rotate slowly on a turntable, from 4 specific angles. Larger specimens are mounted in the intended position when being used, no turntable required, and are tested freehand for at least 3 minutes at a distance of 0.15–0.2 meters (5.9 in–7.9 in). The specific requirements for the test nozzle are shown in figures 7, 8, & 9 of IEC (or EN) 60529. This test is identified as IPx9 in IEC 60529. | Test duration: Fixture: 30 sec. in each of 4 angles (2 min. total), Freehand: 1 min/m2, 3 min. minimum Water volume: 14–16 litres per minute (0.051–0.059 impgal/s) Pressure: 8–10 MPa (80–100 bar) at a distance of 0.10–0.15 meters (3.9 in–5.9 in) Water temperature: 80 °C (176 °F) |
*All tests with the letter "K" are defined by ISO 20653 (replacing DIN 40050-9) and are not found in IEC 60529, except for IPx9, which is the same as the IP69K water test.
IP Third Letter - Supplementary
The supplementary letter defines the protection of equipment specific to:
| Letter | Meaning |
| F | Oil resistant |
| H | High voltage apparatus |
| M | Motion during water test |
| S | Stationary during water test |
| W | Weather conditions |
The letter K is specified in ISO 20653 (replacing DIN 40050-9) and not in IEC 60529.
About IPx9K and IPx9
IPx9K standard - originally developed for road vehicles - finds use in areas, such as food processing machinery and car wash systems.
DIN 40050-9 extended the newer IEC 60529 rating system with an IP69K rating for high-pressure, high-temperature wash-down applications. Enclosures conforming with ISO 20653:2013 must be both dust-tight (IP6X) and able to withstand high-pressure and steam cleaning.
Common IP Ratings
- IP54: Protected against dust and splashing water. This is a common rating for outdoor electronics like speakers or security cameras.
- IP55: Protected against dust and limited immersion in water. This rating is often found on devices designed for outdoor use, such as garden hoses or outdoor lighting.
- IP66: Protected against dust and powerful water jets. This rating is a high level of protection often used for industrial equipment or marine electronics.
- IP67: Protected against dust and temporary immersion in water. This rating is commonly used for smartphones and other devices that may be submerged in water for short periods.
- IP69: Protected against high-pressure water jets. This rating is used for equipment in harsh environments, such as industrial cleaning or food processing.
- IP69K: Protected against high-pressure water jets with cleaning agents. This rating is often used in industries where equipment needs to be cleaned, such as the automotive, food & beverage, and other washdown industries.
Choose MELTRIC When Looking for IP Rated Electrical Connections
MELTRIC DS and DSN Switch-Rated plugs and receptacles are easy to operate for watertightness. They achieve their rated watertightness simply by connecting the plug and receptacle. There is no need to thread on or turn watertightness rings as is required on many pin and sleeve devices. DSN Series devices provide Type 4X and IP69K/IP69 watertightness, while the DS Series provides Type 3R as standard or Type 4X as an option.
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About the Author:
Grant Zwicke is a leading content marketing creator at MELTRIC® and a member of the marketing team. His varied experience includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, specialty chemicals, public health, scientific research, publishing, television entertainment, and news media.