The IP Code, also known as the International Protection Rating or the Ingress Protection Rating, is used to signify the degree of protection that enclosures provide against ingress of solid foreign objects and water and against access to dangerous parts inside the enclosure. IP ratings, and IEC standards in general, are typically applied to products with a significant presence in the European market; as such, Gibson Stainless products do not carry IP ratings.
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard 60529 contains the guidance for assigning an IP Code to an enclosure, which consists of the letters “IP” followed by two numerals: The first numeral, indicates the level of protection to persons against access to hazardous parts inside the enclosure and against the intrusion of solid objects. This number ranges from 0 to 7, with 0 signifying that there is no special protection against this kind of intrusion and 7 signifying that the enclosure is completely dust tight. Protection against foreign objects such as body parts, wires, tools, etc. falls along the scale in between these ratings.
The second numeral indicates the level of protection against moisture and ranges from 0 to 9, with 0 signifying that there is no leakage protection of any kind and 9 signifying that the enclosure is protected from high pressure and temperature water directed at the enclosure. The ratings in between the two ends of the spectrum account for special protections against falling droplets, sprays, high and low pressure jets, and temporary immersion.
The combined digits of the IP Rating give engineers a clear picture of what types of environments and applications a specific electrical enclosure can withstand.
