Protection index

Specification of the type of protection (Ref.: DIN VDE 0470, EN 60 529, IEC 60529) describes the protection of electrical equipment by means of housing, covers, enclosures and similar.

The type of protection is specified by letter symbols (IP Code), whereby the first code number (0 to 6) offers information concerning protection against contact and against the penetration of foreign objects. The second code number (0 to 8) provides information about protection against the water penetration.

Common types of protection in use:

• IP 00
  No special protection against accidental contact or against the penetration of foreign objects. No special protection against water. Constructions of the “open design type” are manufactured for the IP 00 type of protection.

• IP 20
  Protection against contact and against the penetration of solid foreign objects larger than ø 12 mm. No special protection against water.

• IP 23
  Protection against contact and against the penetration of solid foreign objects larger than ø 12 mm. Protection against water spray falling at any angle of up to 60° to the vertical, so that such jets will have no damaging effects.
• IP 40
  Protection against contact and against the penetration of solid foreign objects larger than ø 1 mm. No special protection against water.
• IP 44
  Protection against contact and against the penetration of solid foreign objects larger than ø 1 mm. Protection against water spray so that no spray hitting the equipment from any direction will have any damaging effect.
• IP 54
  Complete protection against contact. Protection against damaging dust deposits. While dust penetration is not completely prevented, the dust which does enter may not amount to quantities which will impair working procedures. Protection against water spray, so that no spray hitting the equipment from any direction will have any damaging effect.

• IP 65
  Complete protection against contact. Protection against dust penetration. Protection against water spray. Protection against water jets from spray nozzles directed at the equipment from all directions to the extent that no spray will have any damaging effect.

• IP 67
  Complete protection against contact. Protection against the dust penetration. Protection against the effects of temporary immersion in water. Water shall not be permitted to penetrate in a quantity which will would cause damaging effects when the housing is temporarily immersed in water under standardised pressure and time conditions.

Note: The specification of the type of protection refers to the condition at the time of delivery and to the established or usual method of setting up the equipment. The type of protection can change as the result of a different setup or installation method.