What Does
Ingress Protection (IP) Mean?
Ingress protection (IP) is an alphanumeric rating awarded to electrical enclosures that classify the degree of protection against the intrusion of solid objects into the enclosure due to human interactions, dust, accidental contact or water.
Ingress protection may also be known as an IP rating or IP code.
Corrosionpedia Explains Ingress Protection (IP)
Ingress protection consists of the letters "IP" followed by two or three digits and an optional letter (e.g., IP22). This standard aims to provide users with more comprehensive information than unspecific marketing terms such as "water resistant." The digits serve as conformity indicators with the conditions summarized on the corresponding code chart.
The first IP number represents the degree of protection against solid objects, and ranges from 0 to 6.
The second IP number represents the degree of protection against liquids, and ranges from 0 to 8.
The optional third number (not frequently used) represents the the degree of protection against mechanical impacts.
For example, an electrical socket rated "IP22" is protected against solid objects over 12mm and sprays of water.