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Choosing the correct IP rating for the job
Having the correct materials for the job ensures that they will survive their environment, and they are safe for their application. Ensuring the correct IP rating for something can vastly improve its lifespan, ensure they are safe and stop downtime.
IP stands for ingress protection. The way an item will display its IP rating will be IPXX where both XX represent a number. The first number represents ingress protection from solids ranging from 1-6 and the second number being water protection with a scale of 1-9. This helps the installer decide what item is best for its environment to ensure all the above.
Below is a table to further explain the number scaling:
| Number scale | Solids | Number scale | Water |
| 1 | Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm (accidental hand contact with open palm), but not against deliberate body contact | 1 | Protection against vertically falling droplets, such as condensation, sufficient that no damage or interrupted functioning of components will be incurred when an item is upright |
| 2 | Protection against solid objects larger than 12mm (accidental finger contact) | 2 | Protection against vertically dripping water when enclosure is tilted up to 15° off vertical |
| 3 | Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm (tools and wires) | 3 | Protection against direct moisture spray at angles up to 60° off vertical |
| 4 | Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm (fine tools and wires, nails, screws, larger insects and other potentially invasive small objects) | 4 | Protection against splashing water from any direction, tested for a minimum of 10 minutes with an oscillating spray (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects) |
| 5 | Partial protection against dust and other particulates, such that any ingress will not damage or impede the satisfactory performance of internal components | 5 | Protection against low-pressure jets (6.3mm) of directed water from any angle (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects) |
| 6 | Full protection against dust and other particulates, including a vacuum seal, tested against continuous airflow | 6 | Protection against powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) of directed water from any direction |
| 7 | Protection against full immersion for up to 30 minutes at depths between 15cm and 1 metre (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects) | ||
| 8 | Protection against extended immersion under higher pressure i.e. greater depths. Precise parameters of this test will be set and advertised by the manufacturer and may include additional factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on equipment type | ||
| 9 | Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs or steam-cleaning procedures |
Different IP rated products
There are many different IP rated products, from Cameras to lighting. Using the above scales you easily identify what kind of IP rated products you need to suit your environment.
It is essential to have a competent person install the IP rated materials to ensure the IP rating isn’t ruined during install.
If you have any questions or enquiries about the installation of IP rated materials, such as CCTV, power sockets, Data sockets, enclosures or anything in between then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Anthony
Adam
Adam
