IP AND IK RATINGS CLASSIFICATIONS EXPLAINED

The IP or "Ingress Protection" ratings are an industry recognised system of determining an enclosures and/or cases protection against dirt and moisture. These IP ratings are internationally defined in the EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529:1992, European IEC 60509:1989) and the IK ratings in the EN 62262 (British BS En 62262:2002, European IEC 62262 Ed. 1.0 B:2002) standards

Typically consisting of a two digit code the numbers that follow the IP rating each have a specific meaning, with the first indicating the level of protection from solid objects/moving parts as well as protection of enclosed equipment from foreign materials. The second defined the protection level that the enclosure has from moisture, sprays, immersion to prolonged submersion. See our breakdowns below:

IP Rating First Number- Protection against solid objects

  • 0 - Not protected
  • 1 - Protected against solid objects 50 mm in diameter or greater. A large surface of the body, such as a hand (no protection against deliberate access).
  • 2 - Protected against solid objects 12 mm in diameter or greater. Fingers or similar objects not exceeding 80mm in length.
  • 3 - Protected against solid objects 2.5 mm in diameter or greater. Tools, wires, etc, of diameter or thickness greater than 2.5 mm.
  • 4 - Protected against solid objects 1mm in diameter or greater. Wires or other similar solid material of thickness greater than 1mm in diameter.
  • 5 - Dust protected. Dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of equipment.
  • 6 - Dust tight. No ingress of dust

IP Rating Second Number- Protection against moisture

  • 0 - Not protected
  • 1 - Protected against dripping water. Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect.
  • 2 - Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15º. Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15º from its normal position.
  • 3 - Protected against spraying water. Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60º from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
  • 4 - Protected against splashing water. Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.
  • 5 - Protected against water jets. Water projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
  • 6 - Protected against heavy seas. Water from heavy seas or projected in powerful water jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities.
  • 7 - Protected against the effects of temporary immersion. Ingress of water in harmful quantity is not possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time.
  • 8 - Protected against continuous immersion. The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer.

IK Rating - Impact Protection Rating

  • IK00 - Not protected
  • IK01 - Protected against 0.14 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 56 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK02 - Protected against 0.2 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 80 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK03 - Protected against 0.35 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 140 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK04 - Protected against 0.5 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 200 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK05 - Protected against 0.7 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 280 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK06 - Protected against 1 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.25 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK07 - Protected against 2 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 0.5 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK08 - Protected against 5 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 1.7 kg mass dropped from 300 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK09 - Protected against 10 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 5 kg mass dropped from 200 mm above impacted surface.
  • IK10 - Protected against 20 joules impact. Equivalent to impact of 5 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface.