The Electrical Trade Counter That Comes To You.

Inc. VAT Exc. VAT
My Basket £0.00

Information

IP Rating Chart

IP Rating Chart

IP Rating Chart

What is an IP Rating?

What are IP ratings? IP ratings are a method of showing how effective an electrical device is at blocking foreign bodies. The IP that you will find in an IP rating table stands for Ingress Protection and the numbers that follow it refer to the protection the device brings against the external intrusion of two types of foreign substances – solid (e.g dust) and liquid (e.g water, drips, sprays).

There are three metrics that an IP rating denotes that you can find on an IP rating chart. These include resistance to ingress by the user (accidental or otherwise), resistance to ingress from foreign bodies (e.g dust, dirt. etc), and resistance to moisture ingress (e.g water).

It is important to note that in the UK, IP codes in an IP chart rating are assigned in accordance with the British standard BS EN 60529:1992. In Europe, the IP rating table and the IP ratings present fall in line with IEC standard 60509:1989, and internationally confirm EN 60529 certification. 

The highest IP rating is IP69K which provides protection against water jets, dust, high temperatures and enclosures dealing with high pressures. 

IPX Ratings – IP rating table 

It is common to see an ‘x’ in place of one of the two numbers on an IP rating table and this is an indicator for the reader that the electrical IP rating present on the IP rating chart has not been tested for that particular category. For example, if any item has an IPX4 rating, it means it has been tested for liquid only and not any solids. 

There are also some cases where an additional letter may be included at the end of an IP rating on an IP rating table, e.g IP44M. This is included in cases where resistance to specific materials or hazards, such as oil or high voltages, was specifically tested. The IP testing conducted also includes particular scenarios such as moving water. However, it is rare to find this on day-to-day applications. 

Understanding how IP ratings work; it seems a bit tricky at first. Here's a quick explainer video to get you started.

Why is an IP Chart Rating System Needed?

The reason a universal electrical IP rating table is required is that both buyers and users need to have the surety that it is safe to use certain electrical or mechanical devices in specific environments and applications. It is for the safety of the end-user, and for the professionals who will be working and installing such devices. 

Compared to other vague marketing terms such as ‘waterproof’ that do not give specific technical information regarding where and to what extent a device can resist moisture ingress – an IP rating table is designed to provide a much more specific account of such details. 

IP Rating Table & IP Chart Rating

IP rating tables and charts exist to let the user know what each digit in a standard IP code means, and you can use this kind of IP chart rating table to clearly understand the specific hazards and scenarios a given electrical product’s electrical components should be protected against. 

An IP rating chart also allows the user to see to what extent and in what sort of environments a particular item will be safe to install and use. Below is an IP rating table that can be used for reference, and further details on what each IP value refers to. 

ip chart rating by meteor electrical

First Digit in IP Rating Table

 

0/X

This IP chart rating means Not Rated (or no rating has been supplied) for protection against ingress of this type. 

1

IP chart rating of 1 indicates protection against solid objects which are larger than 50mm (accidental hand contact with open palm) but not against any type of deliberate damage caused by body contact. 

2

The IP chart rating of 2 means that the device has protection against solid objects that are larger than 12mm (accidental finger contact).

3

An IP rating chart of 3 shows protection against any solid object which is larger than the size of 2.5mm – this includes objects such as tools and wires. 

4

IP chart rating of 4 pertains to protection against any solid object that is larger than 1mm, and this includes fine tools and wires, nails, screws, larger insects, and any other potentially invasive smaller objects. 

5

If an object has an IP chart rating of 5, then it has partial protection against external substances such as dust and other particulates. The item is protected in a manner that any ingress cannot damage or come in the way of its satisfactory performance of internal components. 

6

An IP chart rating of 6 means that the device has full protection against dust and other similar particulates of its kind. In addition, the device includes a vacuum seal and has been tested against continuous airflow. 

 

Second Digit in IP Rating Table

 

0/X

This IP chart rating means Not Rated (or no rating has been supplied) for protection against ingress of this type. 

1

With an IP rating chart of 1, the device is protected against vertically falling droplets of a liquid such as condensation. It is sufficient to assume that no damage or interruption in the functioning of components will happen when an item is placed upright. 

2

An IP rating of 2 on an IP rating chart indicates that the device is sufficiently protected against vertically dripping water when an enclosure is tilted up to 15° off vertical. 

3

A device having an IP rating of 3 on an IP rating chart means that it has protection against direct moisture spray at angles up to 60° off vertical.

4

IP rating of 4 on an IP rating chart indicates that the device has protection against any splashing water/liquid and that it was tested for a minimum of 10 minutes with an oscillating spray. In other words, limited ingress is permitted with no harmful effects to be concerned about.

5

An IP rating of 5 on an IP rating table means that the device has protection against low-pressure jets (sized 6.3 mm) of direct water from any angle. Limited ingress is therefore permitted with no chance of harmful effects. For example, an IP55 rating indicates a limited protection against low pressure jets and dust. 

6

IP rating of 6 on an IP rating table indicates that the device has protection against powerful jets with a nozzle size of 12.5 mm. It can withstand directed water from any direction. 

7

Devices with an IP rating of 7 on an IP rating table show that it has protection against and has been tested for full immersion for up to 30 minutes at liquid depths between 15cm and 1 metre. There is limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects

8

IP rating of 8 on an IP rating table means that the device has proper protection against extended immersion under high pressure (i.e greater depths). It indicates that precise parameters of this will be set and advertised by the manufacturer. This includes additional factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on the type of equipment that is being dealt with. 

9K

A strong IP rating of 9K on an IP rating table indicates protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs, or steam-cleaning procedures. When this IP rating is found on an IP rating table for a device, it is most likely seen on a road vehicle application of some type. It usually has a standard ISO 20653:2013 Road Vehicles - Degrees of protection

 

IP Waterproof Rating Chart

Users often look for an IP waterproof rating chart when it comes to a wide range of everyday products – including devices such as mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers to kitchen and bathroom fixtures, lighting setups, and CCTV enclosures, and more. 

The main purpose of an IP waterproof rating chart to exist is to clearly define the exact parameters of marketing claims that may end up too vague. In accordance with this, a typical IP code on an IP rating table indicates a very accurate and precise level of protection against moisture ingress under specific test scenarios. 

The various IP chart rating examples that are widely accepted and present on an IP waterproof rating chart for most general purposes are IP65, IP67 and IP66 rating. 

A common misconception regarding items present on an IP waterproof rating chart is that items intended for prolonged outdoor use need the highest numerical IP ratings for moisture resistance. The reality is that this is not always the case because most rainwater especially in windy conditions often tends to in a vertical manner, and under very low pressure. 

For example, a device with an IPX2 on an IP waterproof rating chart should be able to protect itself against dripping water equivalent to 3 mm rainfall per minute at angles up to 15°. In another case, the IPX3 device on an IP rating table clearly indicates resistance to continuous spray at up to 60° from vertical directions. 

These are some reasons why it is not entirely accurate to think of IP waterproof rating chart figures for water resistance as being ‘higher’ beyond IPX6. For IP codes such as IPX7, IPX8, and IPX9 specifically address immersion properties, and those devices with these IP ratings may not necessarily meet the criteria for pressurized water jet resistance denoted by IPX5 and IPX6.

What are IP-rated enclosures in an IP Rating Table?

There is a wide range of various IP-rated enclosure types which are available across all kinds of sectors and industries – many of these include numerous options for all kinds of electronics and mechanical systems that are aimed at both home and industrial settings. 

Enclosure IP ratings are typically assigned to all types of electronic and mechanical devices such as mobile phone housings and junction boxes, indoor and outdoor lighting setups, and instrument cases intended for robust protection in harsh marine or chemical environments. 

IP Chart Rating for Enclosure Accessories

Taking a look at myriad configurations of enclosures and system housings on the market, you will be easy to see that there is an equally wide range of IP-rated enclosure accessories as well as optional extra fittings available for most types of housing situations. 

Enclosure accessories rated on an IP rating chart for these types of add-ons are usually similar to those enclosures that they are designed to be used with. There are many tweaks and specializations available, where each is designed to make a generic-looking enclosure more ideally suited to one specific application or another. 

These products often include component-specific mounting solutions, attachment methods or additional security features, and more. These are all aimed at a specific type of application or enclosure contents. Popular examples of these are listed below. 

  • Brackets, screws, and nuts 
  • Panels, racks, or additional dividers to add enclosure frames 
  • Locks, keys, and keypads 
  • Stability accessories such as self-adhesive feet to add security or robustness.  

IP Chart Ratings of Wall Boxes

IP-rated wall boxes are common to find in most domestic household spaces as well as commercial and industrial electrical systems – they are often used to secure access to delicate or potentially dangerous components, an example being fuse boxes.

Other uses include the general storage of hazardous items. It is because of these reasons that they usually come with a door that can be locked so that only those who are authorized personnel can have easy access. 

At Meteor, a wide range of wall boxes and other weatherproof enclosures can be found –  Weatherproof Enclosure IP56Weatherproof Circular Enclosure IP54, and Gewiss IP44 Enclosure are some examples. 

IP Chart Rating of Outdoor Lights

IP chart rating for outdoor lights is a key indicator of both safety and details of proper functioning of any electrical lighting solution installed where condensation, rain or wind-blown foreign substances may pose any kind of risk to electrical circuits and users alike. Generally, the minimum IP rating for outdoor use is anywhere between the range of IP44 and IP65.  

This includes all types of outdoor lighting devices such as accent lighting, soffit spots, safety or task floods, PIR/security sensor lights, and more. Some general IP rating table-related industry rules of thumb when it comes to outdoor lighting can be found below. 

  • An IP chart rating of IPX3 will be a device that can protect against spray up to a  60° angle which is known to be satisfactory enough in partially enclosed or covered areas.
  • If a device has an IP chart rating of IPX4 then it is most commonly used as a minimum in more exposed spaces. 
  • If the outdoor lighting solution is supposed to be cleaned using pressurized jets, then the probability is that it has an IP chart rating of IPX5 or above.
  • In a case where the outdoor lighting device is intended for immersion of any kind (for example, in a pond or if it is a typical pool lighting) up to a depth of 1m, then it must have an IP rating chart of no less than IPX7. Just to be on the safe side, it is better to explicitly check with the manufacturer before installing any outdoor lighting device below the surface of the water. 
  • Immersion of outdoor lighting devices at greater depths will require IPX8, and in this case, should be checked explicitly through the manufacturer for the exact ingress resistance capabilities before the installation process.

IP Charting for Bathrooms

Bathroom areas are usually divided into various zones for lighting and IP ratings found on an IP rating chart. Each comes with specific regulatory specifications and criteria that must be met for safety precautions and measures. 

It is very important to understand the IP chart rating codes for bathroom lights because there are strict regulations when it comes to the type of lights that are allowed for use. The reason for this has to do with the fact that any sort of electrical equipment that requires installation near or in baths and showers, or any other wet areas have always needed extreme care to ensure the highest standards of safety. 

Zone 0 

Zone 0 indicates the area inside a bath or shower itself – examples of this can be tray-level lights in a shower cubicle or jacuzzi-style lighting in a bath. Any bathroom light fittings and enclosures used in the zone 0 area are required to have a minimum IP65 rating, as well as a low voltage. Meteor’s range of bathroom lights with an IP chart rating of IP65 can be viewed here.

Zone 1  

Zone 1 is considered to be the area above the bath or shower and it can either be in the wall or ceiling, with a 2.25m height above the floor. Bathroom lighting of this kind can include any wall or ceiling-mounted downlights within the vertical perimeter of a shower enclosure. 

The minimum IP chart rating of IP44 is required in any zone 1 area – this can include bathroom lighting above the shower as well. 

Zone 2 

Zone 2 bathroom areas are typically 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and shower area and come at a height of at least 2.25m from the floor. In other words, Zone 2 requires a 60cm radius around any kind of bath or shower enclosure and has a splash-proof rating of IP44 as the minimum requirement. 

This is also usually extended to bathroom areas around sinks where the 0.6m measurement is usually taken from the taps themselves. In addition, it should be noted that the lighting performance in bathroom areas often depends on the quality of the bulb itself. At Meteor, you can find a wide range of quality and trusted bathroom lighting brands that can be browsed here

 

IP66 Rating 

A common rating is 'IP66'. 

An IP66 rating is a classification used to describe the level of protection provided by an electrical enclosure against the ingress of solid particles and liquids. The IP (Ingress Protection) rating system is an international standard that defines the effectiveness of sealing electrical and electronic components from foreign objects and moisture.

In the case of an IP66 rating:

  • The first digit "6" refers to the protection against solid particles. In this context, a rating of 6 means the enclosure is dust-tight, providing the highest level of protection against the entry of dust and other solid particles.

  • The second digit "6" refers to the protection against liquids. A rating of 6 signifies that the enclosure is resistant to powerful water jets from all directions, ensuring that it remains watertight and can withstand heavy rain or water projected from a nozzle.

In practical terms, a device or enclosure with an IP66 rating is well-suited for outdoor or industrial applications where it may be exposed to challenging environmental conditions, such as heavy rain, dust, or water jets. It provides a high level of protection to ensure the internal components remain safe and functional even in harsh surroundings.