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IP (degree of protection) – what does it mean and what does it define?
| IP (also known as "international protection rating", sometimes "ingress protection rating") - the degree of protection of an apparatus or electrical device against the penetration of external factors. Designation IP degree consists of letters IP and two to four marks, the first of which indicates resistance to penetration by solid objects and the second to resistance to penetration by water. | |
| First sign: protection against solid objects (according to PN-EN 60529:2002): | 0 no protection1 protection against bodies larger than 50 mm (accidental touch with the hand)2 protection against bodies larger than 12.5 mm (accidental touch with a finger)3 protection against bodies larger than 2.5 mm (accidental touch with a wire or screwdriver) 4 protection against bodies larger than 1 mm (thin tool, thin wire)5 protection against the ingress of dust in quantities that do not interfere with the operation of the device6 total protection against the ingress of dust |
| Second sign: protection against water ingress (according to PN-EN 60529:2002): | 0 no protection1 protection against water drops falling vertically (condensation)2 protection against water drops falling on the housing at an angle of 15° from the normal position3 protection against drops falling at an angle of 60° from the vertical4 protection against drops falling at any angle, from all sides ( rain)5 protection against water jets from any direction6 protection against strong water jets or wave flooding from any direction7 protection against flooding when immersed to a depth of 15 cm for a specified period of time8 protection against flooding during continuous immersion and increased water pressure (1 m depth)9 protection against pouring a stream of water under pressure (80-100 [bar], at a temperature up to +80 [°C]) in accordance with the DIN 40050 standard |
IP protection level (International Protection Marking), often also called Ingress Protection. It is a standard determining the degree of protection of electrical devices against foreign bodies (such as dust) and moisture. This system is approved by the international standard IEC 60529 to make it more transparent.
Structure of IP markings
The IP designation consists of the letters "IP" and two digits:
- First digit determines the degree of protection against solid objects (e.g. dust).
- Second digit determines the degree of protection against liquids (e.g. water).
Table: Degree of protection against solid objects
| First digit | Description of protection |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protection against foreign bodies > 50 mm |
| 2 | Protection against foreign bodies > 12.5 mm |
| 3 | Protection against foreign bodies > 2.5 mm |
| 4 | Protection against foreign bodies > 1 mm |
| 5 | Dust protection |
| 6 | Total protection against dust |
Table: Degree of protection against liquids
| Second digit | Description of protection |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protection against vertically falling water drops |
| 2 | Protection against water drops falling at an angle of 15° |
| 3 | Protection against water spraying at an angle of up to 60° |
| 4 | Protection against water splashes from all directions |
| 5 | Protection against water jets |
| 6 | Protection against strong water jets |
| 7 | Protection against the effects of immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Protection against prolonged immersion in water under certain conditions |
Examples of IP markings
- IP67: The device is completely dustproof and can withstand immersion in water. To a depth of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
- IP54: The device is protected against dust to a limited extent. And against water splashes from any direction.
Application
We use IP markings in various industries. Mainly in electronics, construction, automotive industry and medical equipment. They allow users to quickly determine whether a given device will be suitable for specific environmental conditions.
Summary
Knowing the IP protection levels is crucial to choose a device for specific applications where there is a risk of contact with dust and water. Thanks to this, users can ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment in various operating conditions.
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