IP protection

Degree of protection / class of protection is a technical term used to describe the protective properties of electrical, electronic or mechanical devices against the ingress of solid particles (dust, small particles) and moisture. It determines the degree of protection that the device provides with respect to these external factors.

The definition of the degree of coverage may vary depending on the norm or standard that is used. One of the most commonly used standards is the International Protection Code (IP code), which is defined by the IEC 60529 standard. The IP code consists of two numbers, with the first number indicating protection against solid particles and the second number indicating protection against water.

The breakdown of the degree of coverage for protection against solid particles is as follows:

First number 0: No protection against solid particles.
First number 1: Protection against large particles with a diameter greater than 50 mm (for example, large parts of the human body).
First number 2: Protection against medium-sized particles with a diameter greater than 12.5 mm (for example, fingers).
First number 3: Protection against small particles with a diameter greater than 2.5 mm (for example, tools, wires).
First number 4: Protection against very small particles with a diameter greater than 1 mm (for example, thin wires, dust).
First number 5: Protection against dust in a harmful amount, but not completely (partial protection).
First number 6: Complete protection against dust.
The breakdown of the degree of protection against water is as follows:

Second number 0: No protection against water.
Second number 1: Protection against vertical water dripping.
Second number 2: Protection against water dripping at an angle of up to 15 degrees.
Second number 3: Protection against water dripping at an angle of up to 60 degrees.
Second number 4: Protection against splashing water from any direction.
Second number 5: Protection against the flow of water from the low-pressure nozzle.
Second number 6: Protection against the flow of water from the high-pressure nozzle.
Second number 7: Protection when the device is temporarily immersed in water.
Second number 8: Protection when the device is permanently immersed in water.
It is important to emphasize that these standards and codes are used to uniformly indicate the degree of protection of devices and ensure that customers have clear information about the protective properties of a given device against external influences