IP ratings chart
An IP (ingress protection) rating has two digits. The first is protection against solid objects and dust, the second against water. IP65 means dust-tight (6) and protected against water jets (5). An X means that part wasn't tested or rated: IPX4 is rated for splashing water only.
First digit: solids
| Digit | Protected against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Objects over 50 mm, such as the back of a hand |
| 2 | Objects over 12.5 mm, such as fingers |
| 3 | Objects over 2.5 mm, such as tools and thick wires |
| 4 | Objects over 1 mm, such as thin wires and small screws |
| 5 | Dust-protected: some dust may get in, but not enough to stop it working safely |
| 6 | Dust-tight: no dust gets in |
Second digit: water
| Digit | Protected against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Water dripping straight down |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° |
| 3 | Spraying water up to 60° from vertical |
| 4 | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Water jets (6.3 mm nozzle) |
| 6 | Powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle) |
| 7 | Temporary immersion, up to 1 m for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m, to the maker's stated conditions |
| 9 | High-pressure, high-temperature water jets |
Common ratings
- IP20: finger-safe, no water protection. Indoor, dry places.
- IP44: wires over 1 mm and splashing water. Common for outdoor lights and bathroom zone 2.
- IP65: dust-tight and water jets. Outdoor sockets and enclosures.
- IP67 and IP68: dust-tight and immersion. Pond and in-ground fittings, bath zone 0.
What BS 7671 asks for
| Where | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Enclosures and barriers, generally | IP2X or IPXXB |
| Readily accessible top surfaces of enclosures | IP4X or IPXXD |
| Bathroom zone 0 (inside the bath or shower tray) | IPX7 |
| Bathroom zones 1 and 2 | IPX4 |
The letters B and D in IPXXB and IPXXD mean protected against finger contact (B) and against contact with a 1 mm wire (D), for an enclosure that hasn't been given the full number.
Check against your copy of BS 7671 and the maker's instructions. Learn more in Terminations and enclosures.