What is IP Rating Testing? 

The term ‘IP Rating’ stands for Ingress Protection Rating, Water Ingress Testing. IP Rating Testing allows electrical enclosures to be evaluated for their ability to withstand disturbance from solid objects, dust, accidental contact, and water. 

Testing is done in accordance with the IEC/EN 60529 standard. 

Why is IP Rating Testing Beneficial? 

IP Rating Testing equips manufacturers with specific information on the durability of their products, and works past the limitations of commonly used terms such as “waterproof”, “Water Ingress” and “dust proof”. As such, this range of testing provides both manufacturers and consumers with a greater level of comfort as they are able to differentiate between which actions are not harmful to their products, and which ones are. 

What Do The Numbers Mean? 

An IP rating has 2 digits following the term ‘IP’. These digits correspond to the conditions that an electrical enclosure can tolerate. The first digit following ‘IP’ corresponds to testing associated with solid objects, dust, and accidental contact. The second digit following ‘IP’ corresponds to testing associated with water. 

Note: The letter ‘X’ may be used to replace a digit in the case that only one condition (ex. Liquid or dust) is being tested on the electrical enclosure. 

First Digit 

0 – No protection against contact and ingress of objects 

1 – Protection against any large surface of the body, such as the back of the hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part. Applicable for solid objects with a diameter larger than 50 mm. 

2 – Protection against fingers or similar objects. Applicable for solid objects with a diameter larger than 12.5 mm. 

3 – Protection against tools, thick wires, etc. Applicable for solid objects with a diameter larger than 2.5 mm. 

4 – Protection against most wires, screws, etc. Applicable for solid objects with a diameter larger than 1 mm. 

5 – Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact. Applicable products are dust protected. 

6 – No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact. Applicable products are dust tight. 

Second Digit 

0 – No protection against water. 

1 – Protection against dripping water (vertically falling drops). 

2 – Protection against vertically dripping water when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position. 

3 – Protection against water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical. 

4 – Protection against water splashing on the enclosure from any direction 

5 – Protection against water projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction. Testing is completed with a nozzle that has a diameter of 6.3 mm with a water delivery rate of 12.5 L/min. 

6 – Protection against water ingress projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction. Testing is completed with a nozzle that has a diameter of 12.5 mm with a water delivery rate of 100L/min. 

7 – Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time. Applicable products can be submerged up to 1m. 

8 – The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. Applicable products can be submerged beyond 1m. 

9K – Protection against steam jet cleaning. Testing is completed with a high temperature and pressure with the use of a standard nozzle. 

Why International Testing Laboratory Inc.?

At International Testing Laboratory Inc., we make it a priority to ensure that our customers meet their certification and inspection requirements in a timely manner, and accordingly are available to hear from our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

To acquire a quotation, please contact us at info@intertestlab.com. For any additional assistance, you may reach us by phone at 604-238-5060.