IP Classification of Enclosures
Luminaires are classified according to the protection against dust and moisture provided by their enclosures.
The “Degree of Protection” is indicated by the letters IP followed by two numerals, the first referring to dust and the second to moisture. (Note: the two numerals should be pronounced separately). The full classification for equipment in general is listed in the table.
Ingress Protection Chart
Derivation of the two IP Classification numerals.
Degree of Protection indicated by the first characteristic numeral:
|
First characteristic numeral |
Short description | Degree of Protection Details of objects which will be 'excluded' from the enclosure |
| 0 | Non-protected | No special protection |
| 1 | Protected against solid objects greater than 50mm |
A large surface of the body, such as a hand (but no protection against deliberate access). Solid objects exceeding 50mm in diameter. |
| 2 | Protected against solid | Fingers or small objects not exceeding 80mm in length. Solid objects greater than 12mm objects exceeding 12mm in diameter. |
| 3 | Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm | Tools, wires, etc., of diameter or thickness greater than 2.5mm. Solid objects exceeding 2.5mm in diameter. |
| 4 | Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0mm | Wires or strips of thickness greater than 1.0mm. Solid objects exceeding 1.0mm in diameter. |
| 5 | Dust protected | Ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the equipment. |
| 6 | Dust tight | No ingress of dust. |
Degree of Protection indicated by the second characteristic numeral:
| Second characteristic numeral | Short Description | Degree of Protection Details of the type of protection provided by the enclosure |
| 0 | Non-protected | No special protection |
| 1 | Protected against dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect |
| 2 | Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15˚ | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15˚ from its normal position |
| 3 | Protected against spraying water | Water falling as a spray at an angle up to 60˚ from the vertical shall have no harmful effect |
| 4 | Protected against splashing water | Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect |
| 5 | Protected against low-pressure water jets | Water projected by a standard nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect |
| 6 | Protected against heavy seas | Water from heavy seas or water projected in powerful jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities |
| 7 | Protected against the effects of immersion | Ingress of water in a harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time |
| 8 | Protected against submersion | The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer |
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