IP Ratings

Understanding IP Ratings

What Are IP Ratings?
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings are numerical codes that indicate a device’s resistance to solids and liquids. These ratings are commonly found on outdoor sockets, electric showers, CCTV, and lighting fixtures.

How Do IP Ratings Work?
IP ratings consist of two digits:

  • The first digit (0–6) measures protection against solids, like dust or objects.
  • The second digit (0–9) measures resistance to liquids.

A higher number indicates greater protection. Some devices may also include a supplementary letter denoting additional features, such as oil resistance.


Solid Protection Levels

Rating Protection Details
0 No protection from solids.
1 Protected against objects >50mm (e.g., hands).
2 Protected against objects >12.5mm (e.g., fingers). Common in indoor lighting and thermostats.
3 Protected against objects >2.5mm (e.g., tools). Found in heat detectors.
4 Protected against objects >1mm (e.g., screws, nails). Used in downlights, torches, and extractor fans.
5 Dust-protected (limited ingress). Seen in outdoor lights and EV chargers.
6 Dust-tight (no ingress). Found in industrial sockets and security cameras.

Liquid Protection Levels

Rating Protection Details
0 No protection from moisture.
1 Protected from dripping water on a flat surface (e.g., water heaters).
2 Protected from dripping water at a 15° tilt. Common in panel heaters.
3 Resistant to water sprays up to a 60° angle.
4 Protected from splashing water from any angle (e.g., electric showers).
5 Resistant to water jets from any direction. Common in bathroom fans.
6 Resistant to powerful water jets (e.g., garden lights).
7 Protected from immersion in water up to 1m. Seen in CCTV and watertight plugs.
8 Protected against continuous immersion beyond 1m (conditions vary by manufacturer).
9 Resistant to high-pressure, high-temperature sprays. Used in industrial cleaning tools.

Supplementary IP Ratings

Code Protection Details
D Resists wire contact with hazardous parts.
F Resistant to oil ingress.
H Indicates high voltage.
M Tested while in motion.
S Tested while stationary.
W Tested under weather conditions (e.g., rain).
B Resists finger access to hazardous parts.