What are IP (Ingress Protection) Ratings?
In order to make certain the product you select is reliable with a long life, the product must be appropriate for the application environment. But what are some of the requirements? Waterproof. Dust-tight. These descriptions need to be quantified. This is what IP ratings provide.
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.
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