IP Code
The IP Code, International Protection Marking (IEC 60529), classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against the intrusion (including body parts such as hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures.
The standard aims to provide users more detailed information than vague marketing terms such as waterproof. The digits (characteristic numerals) indicate conformity with the conditions summarized in the tables below. Where there is no protection rating with regard to one of the criteria, the digit is replaced with the letter X.
Example : With the IP rating IP 54
“5” describes the level of protection from solid objects
“4” describes the level of protection from liquids.
Note : Additional letters
The standard defines additional letters that can be appended to classify only the level of protection against access to hazardous parts by persons:
