A Guide to the IP Rating System

An IP (Ingress Protection) rating is used to specify the environmental protection of enclosures around electrical equipment. The IP rating is composed of two numbers, the first referring to the protection against solid objects and the second against liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection. Generally, Active Sensors range of products is designed for the highest of IP ratings, which are IP67, IP68 and IP69K. For quick reference, these are defined as:

Degrees of protection explained (ISO 20653)

The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree that equipment is protected against solid foreign bodies intruding into an enclosure.

  1. Not protected
  2. Protected against solid objects up to 50mm Ø
  3. Protected against solid objects up to 12mm Ø
  4. Protected against solid objects up to 2.5mm Ø
  5. Protected against solid objects up to 1mm Ø
  6. (K) Protected against dust, limited ingress (no harmful deposit)
  7. (K) Totally protected against dust

The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture (e.g. dripping, spraying, submersion, etc.).

  1. No protection
  2. Protection against vertical dripping water
  3. Protection against dripping water falling at an angle of up to 15°
  4. Protection against dripping water falling at an angle of up to 60°
  5. Protection against water splashing on all sides / splash water
  6. (K) Protection against water splashing on all sides / splash water with increased pressure
  7. Protection against high-velocity water striking from any angle
  8. Protection against strong high-velocity water striking from any angle
  9. (K) Protection against strong high-velocity water striking from any angle under high pressure
  10. Protection against temporary submersion in water (up to 30 minutes, 1m deep)
  11. Protection against continuous submersion in water (≥30 minutes, ≥1m deep, upon agreement)
  12. (K) Protection against water in high-pressure and steam jet cleaning