Degrees of Protection

Equipment has to fulfil its functional requirement. But only that is not enough. The equipment has also to be protected against possible external influences and the equipment may not be harmful to the user or operator or to the environment. Several means or combination of means can be used to comply with the requirements:

•   Placing out of reach, for instance by means of an obstacle;

•   Total insulation, which is not easily applicable for moving parts;

•   Use of an enclosure

To support the easy use of understanding between user and manufacturer this requirement IEC60529 is made. This requirement can be used for electronic equipment as for telecommunication equipment as well as for high-voltage as for low-voltage equipment or rotating machines. The enclosure can be build as a part of the equipment or as a loose component, sold empty.

1.   The IEC protection code  (International Protection IP)

The IP codes are used to define protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects and water with harmful effects. Since the IP code is used for all equipment annex B of the IEC standard gives instructions to technical committees for applying IP codes. The protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects is also used as a means of specifying protection against accidental contact with live parts and therefore serves two different but related purposes.

2.    Interpreting the IP code

The IP code defined in the second edition of "IEC60529 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)" consists of 2 numerals and 2 optional extra letters. The first numeral 0, 1,...6, or X defines the protection against ingress of solid foreign objets and against access to hazardous parts. The second numeral 0, 1,...8, or X defines the protection against the ingress of water.

3.   Elements of the IP Code and their meanings: