IP protection types and protection classes
What is the protection class?
The protection class defines the suitability of an electrical device for certain environmental conditions. Depending on the classification, it is regulated whether and how the device must be protected against the ingress of moisture and other foreign bodies. The impact resistance is also determined by the protection class.
What does IP protection class mean?
The abbreviation IP stands for International Protection. It is also commonly referred to as Ingress Protection, which means protection against ingress. Behind the abbreviation IP are two code numbers that define the exact classification of the protection class. These codes are defined in the German standard DIN EN 60529 and in the international standard ISO 20653 international standard.
IP protection classes Table
How is the IP code structured?
There are the protection classes IP00 to IP69 or IP69K. Two code numbers are appended to the abbreviation IP. The first digit describes the protection against contact and against foreign bodies. The second digit describes the protection against water. In the following tables you will find the degrees of protection specified in the standards.
Protection against contact and foreign bodies
| 1. code number | Protection against contact | Protection against foreign bodies |
|---|---|---|
0 | No touch protection | No protection against foreign bodies |
1 | Protection against large-area contact with the hand | Protection against foreign bodies with ∅ ≥ 50mm |
2 | Protection against touching with the finger | Protection against foreign bodies with ∅ ≥ 12mm |
3 | Protection against contact with tools or wire | Protection against foreign bodies with ∅ ≥ 2.5mm |
4 | Protection against contact with tools or wire | Protection against foreign bodies with ∅ ≥ 1.0mm |
5 (5K) | Complete protection against accidental contact | Protection against dust deposits inside |
6 (6K) | Complete protection against accidental contact | Protection against dust ingress (dust-tight) |
The table describes the first digit of the IP code. The classes are mostly identical between the national standard DIN EN 60529 and the international standard ISO 20653. Only classes 5 and 6 are supplemented by the letter K according to ISO 20653.
Protection against water
| 2. code number | Protection against water |
|---|---|
0 | No protection |
1 | Protection against vertically falling dripping water |
2 | Protection against diagonally falling dripping water up to 15°. |
3 | Protection against dripping water falling at an angle of up to 60°. |
4 | Protection against splashing water from all directions |
5 | Protection against water jets from any direction |
6 | Protection against strong jets of water |
7 | Protection against submersion up to 30min |
8 | Protection against permanent immersion |
9 | Protection against water during high-pressure cleaning |
The table describes the second digit of the IP code. The classes are largely identical between the national standard DIN EN 60529 and the international standard ISO 20653. The letter K can be added to classes 4, 6 and 9 according to ISO 20653 for increased requirements for road vehicles.
Example: Outdoor luminaire with IP65
With the IP code IP65, the first code number means that the outdoor luminaire has complete protection against contact and that the housing is completely dust-tight. The second code number indicates that the luminaire is protected against water jets from all directions.