Understanding IP Certification

IP stands for Ingress Protection (also known as International Protection). The IP Code is an internationally recognized rating system that classifies how effectively an enclosure protects against the intrusion of solid objects, dust, and water.

In simple terms, an IP rating tells you how well a product’s enclosure is designed to keep these elements out, helping you determine whether it’s suited to a particular environment.

“The IP Code is an internationally recognized rating system that classifies how effectively an enclosure protects against the intrusion of solid objects, dust, and water.”

The IP Code replaces vague terms like “waterproof” and “dust resistant” with standardized ratings that define a product’s level of protection. This helps manufacturers and consumers understand what an enclosure can withstand, without relying on potentially misleading claims like “water resistant.”

What do ingress protection ratings really mean?

The IP Code uses two digits to indicate an enclosure’s level of protection. The first measures protection against solid objects, including dust, while the second measures protection against water. For example, IP10 indicates basic protection against solid objects but no protection against water. See the chart below for a breakdown of each rating.

Real Life Examples

This is a Contura rocker switch. It is rated at IP68.

What does that mean? It means that this switch offers complete protection against dust even over an extended period of time. It also means that it can be immersed in water for an extended time as well. This allows a user to know the exact conditions that this piece of equipment was designed for.

This is a Bussman circuit breaker. It has a rating of IP67.

IP67 is pretty close to the switch above. So what’s the major difference? Well, this breaker has a moisture rating of 7, which means that it can only be submerged in water for a short time and no deeper than 1 meter. Again, this shows a user the exact applications where they can use this product.

Now next time you buy a “waterproof” camera and it says it offers IP67 protection, you’ll know that it’s not REALLY a waterproof camera. Before you go, check out the little tidbits of trivia I have for you.

Trivia:

There was a third digit.

So you get that the two digits in the IP code represent solid objects/dust and moisture, respectively. Did you know there used to be a third digit? It was used to measure “mechanical impact," which is exactly what it sounds like. The third digit was removed from the IP code and moved to the separate IK code specified in EN-62262. Although no longer used, you may find it on older electrical casings and enclosures.

Sometimes there are letter codes on the end.

You may notice from time to time an IP code that has a letter on the end of it. Don’t worry, these aren’t frequently used, so you probably won’t see them much. When they are used, they denote extra protections not covered in the basic two digits. Check out this chart I made just for you for a better explanation.