Which IP class do you need? Our recommendations
When choosing the right enclosure for your environment, the IP rating is one of the most important factors. Here we explain in simple terms what the numbers mean, which ratings suit different needs – and how to find a solution that will last. Our enclosures protect the heart of your business, whatever the weather and environment.
Below are some words of wisdom from our friend Hubbe on IP classification.
(ingress of solid objects e.g. dust) The first digit indicates how tight the enclosure is. The number 0 is not a protection, while the number 6 means that the enclosure is dustproof.
0 No protection
1 Tamper-proof against objects larger than 50 mm
2 Tamper-proof against objects larger than 12 mm
3 Tamper-proof against objects larger than 2.5 mm
4 Tamper-proof against objects larger than 1 mm
5 Dust-proof
6 Dust-tight
An article marked with protection form IP 54 is: (First digit:) dust-protected and (Second digit:) withstands splashing water from all angles.
IP stands for International Protection. The numbers show how well the enclosure resists dust, dirt and water. The first number is for solid particles – like dust. The second is for moisture and water. The higher the number, the better the protection.
How to read the IP numbers:
The first digit indicates protection against solid particles such as dust and dirt. The higher the number, the tighter the enclosure.
The second digit indicates protection against water and moisture – for example, rain, flushing or temporary immersion.
Example: An IP65 enclosure is completely dustproof (6) and protected against water jets (5)
The IP rating consists of two numbers. The first shows how well the enclosure protects against solid objects such as dust and particles. The higher the number, the better the protection – a six means the enclosure is completely dustproof.
The second number refers to protection against water, from drops and splashes to flushing or temporary immersion. A five or six in the second position means the cabinet can withstand heavy flushing, while a seven or eight provides protection even for short-term immersion.
