What are IP Ratings in Electrical Enclosures?
Fail to use an appropriate IP-rated electrical enclosure and you risk malfunctions. In turn, this can cause downtime and impact operational efficiency. Not only that, dust or liquid ingress is a serious fire hazard impacting the safety of employees and customers.
So it’s vital you understand what IP ratings mean and precisely what level of protection you require for the given environment or application. Here you’ll learn how IP ratings work and what each number stands for, find useful IP rating tables to help you choose the right level of protection for you, and more.
IP Ratings Explained
What Are IP Ratings?
IP rating or Ingress Protection rating is a standardised code indicating the level of resistance an electrical enclosure provides against external intrusions. These intrusions include dust, dirt, foreign objects, human contact, and moisture.
IP-rated enclosures are electrical or mechanical enclosures used in industrial settings and other high-pressure environments. Those that offer high ratings, such as IP67 enclosures, are suitable for a number of applications including military, maritime, and chemical.
What Are the Numbers in IP Ratings?
IP codes in the UK are subject to the British Standard, EN 60529, while international compliance standards are defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The codes defined in these standards comprise a numerical scale indicating the amount of resistance the enclosure provides:
- Digit 1– The level of protection against human contact and solid objects on a scale of 0 to 6. 0 means no resistance and 6 means complete protection or dust-tight.
- Digit 2 – The level of protection against liquids on a scale of 0 to 9. 0 represents no protection against ingress of water and 9, protection against high-pressure, high-temperature liquids.
What Is the Purpose of IP Ratings?
A standardised IP classification is useful in environments where safety is paramount. It ensures enclosures are manufactured to high standards guaranteeing quality, protection, and durability.
IP ratings further provide a guide to users who know the degree of protection they need in specific environments. Users can rest assured that they will receive the right level of protection with an IP-rated product, while products that use vague terms such as “dustproof” or “waterproof” may not be as safe as they claim to be.
IP Ratings Charts
The following charts describe the level of ingress protection you can expect for each numerical rating, specifying what kinds of exposure the enclosure can withstand.
IP Rating Chart - Digit 1 - Solids
Digit 1 of an IP rating, i.e. the 6 in IP67, indicates the level of protection against dust, debris, human contact, and other solid objects.
| Digit 1 | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| X | No rating provided |
| 0 | Zero protection against ingress of solids |
| 1 | Protection against objects over 50mm and accidental body contact. No protection against deliberate human contact. |
| 2 | Protection against accidental finger contact and objects over 12mm |
| 3 | Protection against solids over 2.5mm, e.g. wires or tools |
| 4 | Protection against objects over 1mm, e.g. insects, small tools, screws, wires, nails |
| 5 | Partial protection against dust and particulates. If ingress occurs, internal components still function to satisfactory levels |
| 6 | Complete protection against dust and particulates, vacuum-sealed and tested on airflow |
IP Rating Chart - Digit 2 - Liquids
Digit 2 of an IP rating, i.e. the 7 in IP67, indicates the level of protection against water and other liquids.
| Digit 2 | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| X | No rating provided |
| 0 | Zero protection against ingress of solids |
| 1 | Protection against dripping water, e.g. condensation or 1 mm rainfall per minute, as long as enclosure remains upright |
| 2 | Protection against dripping water when tilted 15°, up to the equivalent of 3 mm rainfall |
| 3 | Protection against moisture spray at angles up to 60° |
| 4 | Protection against liquid splashes, e.g. from spray nozzles or oscillating fixtures |
| 5 | Protection against water jets with a nozzle up to 6.3 mm at a low pressure |
| 6 | Protection against powerful jets with a nozzle up to 12.5 mm under elevated pressure from any angle |
| 7 | Protection against immersion into water between 15 cm and 1 m for up to 30 minutes. Limited ingress occurs but does not affect components |
| 8 | Protection against extended immersion at greater depths of up to 3 m, and under higher pressure |
| 9K | Protection against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets at close range |
Additional Letters
You may also encounter some additional classifications where there is a letter alongside the IP rating. Here is a brief overview of what each letter means:
| Digit 2 | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| X | No rating provided |
| 0 | Zero protection against ingress of solids |
| 1 | Protection against dripping water, e.g. condensation or 1 mm rainfall per minute, as long as enclosure remains upright |
| 2 | Protection against dripping water when tilted 15°, up to the equivalent of 3 mm rainfall |
| 3 | Protection against moisture spray at angles up to 60° |
IP-Rated Enclosures Applications
Most industries opt for an IP67 enclosure for superior resistance against dust and water. Here are some examples of how you might use these electrical enclosures:
- Outdoor Electrical Junction Boxes – In construction, infrastructure, and telecommunications, use an IP-rated enclosure to protect electrical connections from the weather and even temporary immersion during heavy rain or flooding.
- Industrial Control Panels – In manufacturing, oil & gas, or chemical industries, protect critical control systems so that they remain functional. Factory floors, laboratories, and similar are particularly exposed to dust, debris, and liquids.
- Marine and Offshore Equipment – On ships and offshore platforms, utilise an electrical enclosure to guard against seawater, salt, and dust. They’re essential for exposed equipment in harsh, high-humidity environments like these.
- Automotive and Aerospace Components – Use an IP67 enclosure to protect sensitive electronics, controllers, and communication devices from the elements in all-terrain vehicles and aircrafts. This might be applied in military vehicles or freight, for instance.
- Solar Power – Electrical enclosures help solar power equipment such as solar inverters and batteries perform better and last longer. At solar farms and solar set-ups on buildings, the equipment is exposed to harsh outdoor conditions.
- Agricultural Equipment – Utilise IP67 electrical enclosures to house automation systems, sensors, and equipment in farming and agriculture. Naturally, the environment is wet, muddy, and dusty making enclosures critical for the smooth running of equipment such as irrigation systems.
- Food & Beverage Industry – Equipment is regularly exposed to moisture from the materials being packaged or manufactured. Plus, the nature of the industry means washdowns must be performed very frequently. Enclosures can protect control panels and sensitive electronics during these procedures.
At Enclosure Pro, we supply IP-rated electrical enclosures to suit a vast range of applications. We can even set you up with a custom enclosure to meet your exact requirements. Get a free quote online today.
