What Are IP (Ingress Protection)
Ratings?
The IP Rating System explained:
IP stands for Ingress Protection
The ratings first digit (e.g. IP6_) relates
to ingress protection against solid objects (6 means dust
tight, see the table below)
The second digit (e.g. IP_5) relates to ingress
protection against water (5 means protected against water
jets, see the table below)
| Protection against
solid objects - 1st Digit Description Definition |
|
Protection against
liquids - 2nd Digit Description Definition |
|
0 |
Non protected |
|
0 |
Non protected |
| 1 |
Protected against solid objects greater
than 50 mm. (e.g. a large surface of the body such as
the hand - no protection against deliberate access). Solid
objects exceeding 50mm diameter. |
|
1 |
Protected against dripping water (vertically
falling drops). |
| 2 |
Protected against solid objects greater
than 12 mm diameter and other objects not exceeding 80
mm in length. |
|
2 |
Protected against dripping water when tilted
up to 15°. Vertically dripping water shall have no
harmful effect. |
| 3 |
Protected against solid objects (e.g. tools,
wires, etc.) greater than 2.5mm diameter. |
|
3 |
Protected against spraying water. Water
falling as spray at an angle of up to 60° from the
vertical shall have no harmful effect. |
| 4 |
Protected against solid objects greater
than 1.0mm diameter. |
|
4 |
Protected against splashing water. Water
splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall
have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at
any angle up to 15° from its normal position. |
| 5 |
Dust protected. Ingress of dust is not
totally prevented but dust does not enter in sufficient
quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the
equipment. |
|
5 |
Protected against water jets. Water projected
from a nozzle against the enclosure from any direction
shall have no harmful effect. |
| 6 |
Dust tight. No Ingress of dust. |
|
6 |
Protected against heavy seas. Water from
heavy seas or water projected in powerful jets shall not
enter the enclosure in harmful quantities. |
| |
|
|
7 |
Protected against the effects of immersion
Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible
when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined
conditions of pressure and time. |
| |
|
|
8 |
Protected against submersion. The equipment
is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions,
which shall be specified by the manufacturer. |
| |
|
|
9K |
Protected against close-range high pressure
spay downs, and the "K" applies to the high
temperature of the water used. This IP standard requires
the water pressure to be between 1160-1450 psi, at a rate
of approximately 4 gallons/minute and at a temperature
of 176° F. The nozzle from which the water is sprayed
is between 4 and 6 inches from the product. |
An IP Primer:
IP (ingress protection) ratings are often misunderstood
and misapplied. For example, many engineer assume that an
IP67 or IP68 rating lets a device operate under water for
the time specified by rating. Actually, the rating only ensures
the device will work properly after being removed from water.
Some common IP ratings include:
IP67: The device is protected
against the effects of being immersed in water 15 cm to 1-m
deep for 30 minutes and water will not get into it.
IP68: The device is protected
against complete continuous submersion and, under conditions
specified by the manufacturer, water will not get into it.
IP69K: The device is protected
against hot steam-jet cleaning per EN 60529 and DIN 40050-9,
as well as water pressurized to 100 bar (1,450 psi) at 80°C.
The pressurized stream of water can be applied directly to
the sensor in 30° increments (0,30,60, and 90°) for
30 seconds at each point for a total of 120 seconds without
water getting in.
IP Rating Misconceptions:
Another misconception is that a protection rating of IP69K
automatically complies with IP67 and IP68. IP69K-rated devices
can withstand pressure and jet spray, letting them survive
wash-down environments such as breweries, car washes, and
food and beverage applications. But those devices may not
be suitable in applications where they are immersed in water.
|
