IP Ratings Explained

Most people have come across IP Ratings and you might not even know it.

It could have been while remodelling your bathroom and purchasing bathroom fixtures or lights, maybe you read the speculation fully when you were buying your mobile phone or even looking for ‘rain-proof’ CCTV cameras for your home or business. The thing is, all of these items have an IP Rating, but how do we know what these numbers mean??

Let us explain.?

What are IP Ratings??

Ingress Protection Ratings are a standardised system to define and classify how much protection is applied to a product or enclosure. The higher the IP Rating, the better the protection against foreign objects like dust, dirt and water.?

The two numbers provided with an IP Rating are separated by digits. The first digit represents protection against solids and the second digit represents protection against liquids.

First Digit:?

0 – No protection against solid objects.?

1 - Protection against objects larger than 50mm (e.g. a hand).?

2 – Protection against objects larger than 12.5mm (e.g. fingers).?

3 – Protection against objects larger than 2.5mm (e.g. tools).?

4 – Protection against objects larger than 1mm (e.g. wires).?

5 – Dust protected. Limited ingress of dust is allowed, but not enough to interfere with the equipment’s operation.?

6 – Dust tight. No ingress of dust is allowed.?

Second Digit:?

0 – No protection against liquids.?

1 – Protection against vertically falling drops of water (e.g. condensation).?

2 – Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from vertical.?

3 – Protection against direct sprays of water up to 60 degrees from vertical.?

4 – Protection against water splashes from any direction.?

5 – Protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction.?

6 – Protection against high-pressure water jets from any direction.?

7 – Protection against the effects of temporary immersion in water.?

8 – Protection against continuous immersion in water.?

Why does sheet metal manufacturing need IP ratings??

In sheet metal manufacturing, the production of enclosures and cabinets for electronic and electrical equipment is common. These enclosures need to meet specific IP Ratings to ensure the protection of the sensitive components inside against dust and moisture.?

For instance, outdoor wall boxes or cabinets used to house electrical equipment, telecommunications gear, or control systems must have a high IP Rating to protect against dust and water from rain or high-pressure cleaning. This is essential to maintain the functionality and longevity of the equipment, preventing damage or malfunctions due to environmental factors.?

Sheet metal manufacturers can achieve the desired IP Ratings through careful design and fabrication techniques. Gaskets, seals, welding, and finishing processes are among the methods used to create enclosures that meet the required IP Ratings.?

So, when it comes to sheet metal manufacturing, understanding and implementing IP Ratings are vital to produce enclosures and products that can withstand harsh conditions, ensuring the protection and reliability of the equipment housed within.?

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What IP rated products do EFS do??

Our IP-rated enclosures provide a choice of IP and/or EMC protection for enclosures used in electrical, electronic, telecom or datacom fields.?

Offering IP-rated enclosures tested and rated to IP54 and IP66, in a range of height, width and depth variations with adjustable 19-inch mounting angles to ensure a more custom product. An IP enclosure is even available with a custom finish to suit the customers’ requirements. Certified testing can be carried out by a third party if required.?

To find out more about our enclosures visit our website or contact us today.