Configuration Notes: The protection rating indicates how suitable electrical equipment (e.g. devices, lighting, installation material) is for various environmental conditions and also the protection for people against potential dangers when using the equipment.
With regard to suitability for various environments, the systems are divided into relevant IP codes (Ingress Protection codes).
The protection rating is always indicated by the letters IP followed by two digits.
The first digit indicates the degree of protection against contact and solid foreign objects.
The table below explains the meanings of the first digits of the IP code.
| Digit |
Protection against body contact |
Protection against solid foreign objects |
| 0 |
No protection |
No protection |
| 1 |
Protected against large parts of the body
(diameter 50mm) |
Large solid foreign objects
(diameter 50mm and greater) |
| 2 |
Finger protection
(diameter 12mm) |
Medium-size solid foreign objects
(diameter 12.5mm and greater, and length up to 80mm) |
| 3 |
Tools and wires
(diameter 2.5mm and greater) |
Small solid foreign objects
(diameter 2.5mm and greater) |
| 4 |
Tools, wire, and small wires
(diameter 1mm and greater) |
Granular solid foreign objects
(diameter 1mm and greater) |
| 5 (K) |
Wire protection (as IP4), dust-protected |
Dust deposit (not harmful) |
| 6 (K) |
Wire protection (as IP4), dust-tight |
No ingress of dust |
The second digit indicates the degree of protection against liquids.
The table below explains the meanings of the second digits of the IP code.
| Digit |
Protection against liquids |
| 0 |
No protection |
| 1 |
Protected against vertically falling drops of water |
| 2 |
Protected against direct sprays of water up to 15° from the vertical |
| 3 |
Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60° from the vertical |
| 4 |
Protected against water sprayed from all directions, limited ingress permitted |
| 4k |
Protection against water sprayed from all directions under increased pressure, applies only to road vehicles |
| 5 |
Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions |
| 6 |
Protected against heavy seas or powerful water jets (flooding) |
| 6k |
Protected against powerful water jets under increased pressure (flooding), applies only to road vehicles |
| 7 |
Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water |
| 8 |
Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water |
| 9k |
Protection against high-pressure/steam-jet cleaning, applies only to road vehicles |
Note: Each protection rating is to be considered separately. A high protection rating does not automatically include a lower protection rating.
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