What are IP66, IP20 or IP55? IP Ratings Explained…

What is an IP Rating?

IP stands for Ingress Protection. Ratings are defined in international standard EN 60529. They essentially state the electronic’s durability in terms of how its resistance against foreign bodies such as dirt, dust, water and tools.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

First Digit (Intrusion Protection)

1. No special protection
2. Protection from a large part of the body such as a hand (but no protection from deliberate access); from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter.
3. Protection against fingers or other objects no greater than 80mm in length and 12mm in diameter.
4. Protection from entry by tools, wires etc, with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more.
5. Protection against solid bodies larger than 1mm (eg fine tools/small etc).
6. Protected against dust that may harm equipment.
7. Totally dust tight.

Second Digit (Moisture Protection)

1. No protection.
2. Protection against condensation
3. Protection against water droplets deflected up to 15° from vertical
4. Protected against spray up to 60° from vertical.
5. Protected against water spray from all directions.
6. Protection against low pressure water jets (all directions)
7. Protection against strong water jets and waves.
8. Protected against temporary immersion.
9. Protected against prolonged effects of immersion under pressure.

Or Refer To This Handy Chart Below…

ACDC Drives sell a wide range of products which use this rating to specify where they can be installed. For example, our Motors are rated IP55. We also have a specific category setup just for IP66 Inverters. If you require anything that you cannot see on the website, please get in touch.

We hope this cleared up any questions you have, but if you have anything else to ask then feel free to contact ACDC Drives using the message box on the bottom right corner of our website!