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Understanding IP Ratings

IP codes allow you to choose the best possible light for your conditions. There are two numbers normally associated with IP ratings which break down to give you more information on what the product is suitable for.

Firstly IP is the abbreviation of Ingress Protection.

The first digit following this relates to Intrusion Protection. These are solids such as dust and other objects. There are some products where this is represented by an X. For these a value hasn’t been determined because no testing has been done.

The second digit is for Moisture Protection. This represents the liquid protection of the product. 8 is the highest value and means the product can be submerged in more than 1m of water and 0 means no protection at all.

Digit 1 

Number

Size of object

Protection against

X

Undetermined

No defined protection – possibly untested

0

N/A

No protection against entrance or contact of any object

1

>50 mm

Protection offered against any area of the body which is large but not force

2

>12.5 mm

Protection offered against tools with a diameter of 12.5mm or larger and fingers

3

>2.5 mm

Protection offered against tools with a diameter of 2.5mm or larger and thick wire

4

>1 mm

Protection offered against thin wire and small screws

5

Dust protected

Complete protection against contact. Dust could interfere in large amounts

6

Dust Tight

Complete protection against dust. It is unable to enter the device.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digit 2  

Number

Protects against

Tested for

0

No protection

N/A

1

Dripping water

Withstands vertical falling water drops

2

Dripping water when tilted up to 15°

Withstands vertical falling water drops when tilted 15°

3

Spraying water

Withstands vertical spraying water when tilted up to 60°

4

Splashing water

Withstands light splashing water from all directions

5

Water jets

Withstands water projected from a small nozzle from all directions

6

High powered water jets

Withstands water projected from a large nozzle (approx. 13mm) from all directions

7

Immersion up to 1m

Water will not penetrate the unit when immersed up to 1m in depth

8

Immersion beyond 1m

Withstands continuous submersion under water – Check with the manufacturer on uses