IP degrees of protection

The IP degrees of protection (ingress protection) are defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission in its IEC 60529 standard. These protection classes classify the degrees of protection of unprocessed housings of electrical devices with a rated voltage of maximum 72.5 kV. (IEC standard 60529 as well as DIN EN 60529; VDE 0470-1:2000-09)

The abbreviation IP is followed by two digits. The first digit stands for protection against the penetration of solid bodies. The second digit describes the degree of protection against the ingress of water. The numbers have specific descriptions, which you can find in the tables.

For example, a roda Rocky RK12 meets the IP65 protection class. This means full protection against contact with live components or internal moving parts. It also provides protection against the ingress of dust and water jets from nozzles, directed against the Rocky from all directions.

First digit

Protection level	protection against	description
0	No protection	-
1	> 50 mm	Protection against accidental large-area contact of active and internal moving parts, e.g., by hand, but no protection against intentional access to these parts. Protection against ingress of solid foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 50 mm.
2	> 12,5 mm	Protection against contact between fingers and active or internal moving parts. Protection against ingress of solid foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 12 mm.
3	> 2,5 mm	Protection against contact of active or internal moving parts with tools, wires, or similar with a Ø greater than 2.5 mm. Protection against ingress of solid foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 2.5 mm.
4	> 1 mm	Protection against contact of active or internal moving parts with tools, wires, or similar with a Ø greater than 1 mm.
5	Dust deposits	Complete protection against contact with live or internal moving parts. Protection against harmful dust deposits. The ingress of dust is not prevented completely, but the ingress of dust must be limited to such quantities that do not impair proper functioning.
6	Dust ingress	Complete protection against contact with live or internal moving parts. Protection against ingress of dust.

Second digit

Protection level	protection against	description
0	No protection	-
1	Vertically dropping water	vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effect.
2	Droplets falling at an angle	water sprayed at an angle of up to 60° on either vertical side may not have harmful effects.
3	Spray water	Wasser, das in einem Winkel bis zu 60° beiderseits der Senkrechten gesprüht wird, darf keine schädlichen Wirkungen haben.
4	Splash water	water splashing against the enclosure from any direction may not have any harmful effects.
5	Water jets	water jets directed against the enclosure from any direction may not have any harmful effects.
6	Power water jets	water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
7	Immersion	ingress of water in harmful quantities shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time.
8	Submersion	water shall not enter the enclosure in a quantity that will cause harmful effects if it is continuously submerged in water under conditions to be agreed between the manufacturer and the user. However, the conditions must be more demanding than for number 7.