If you’re buying electrical products for your home or garden, you need to pay attention to the IP Rating.
The IP Rating is a two-digit code indicating the degree of protection an enclosure gives the electrical product. The first digit represents the level of protection against a person’s access to hazardous parts inside an enclosure, or from solid objects entering it. The second digit represents the level of protection inside an enclosure against the ingress dust, water or moisture.
You can find the IP Rating on the product label as IPAB, where AB are replaced with digits from the two lists further below. The higher the number, the better the protection.
How to choose the right IP Rating for your needs
Depending on where you want to use the product, you need to look for a certain IP Rating. For example, if you want to install external porch lights, you should look for a product with an IP Rating of at least IP65. This means that the product is dust tight and can withstand jets of water.
Here are the two lists that explain what each number in the IP Rating means:
IPAB – First Digit Ratings:
X – No specified degree of protection
0 – No protection against solid objects
1 – Protection against a solid object greater than 50mm (e.g. a hand)
2 – Protection against a solid object greater than 12.5mm (e.g. a finger)
3 – Protection against a solid object greater than 2.5mm (e.g. a screwdriver)
4 – Protection against a solid object greater than 1mm (e.g. insects)
5 – Dust protected with limited ingress
6 – Dust tight with no ingress
IPAB – Second Digit Ratings:
X – No specified degree of protection
0 – No protection against liquid objects
1 – Protected against vertically falling drops of water with limited ingress
2 – Protected against vertically falling drops of water when tilted to 15° from vertical with limited ingress
3 – Protected against sprays of water when titled to up to 60° from vertical with limited ingress for 3 mins
4 – Protected against water splashed from all directions with limited ingress
5 – Protected against jets of water with limited ingress
6 – Protected against harmful quantities of water from heavy seas or powerful jets with limited ingress
7 – Protected against full immersion in water, between 15cm-1m for 30 minutes
8 – Protected against full immersion in water with higher pressure for long periods of time
9K – Protected against higher pressure and high temperature water jets
Contact us for expert advice
Our qualified electricians can help you find the best electrical products for your home or garden. We follow the latest electrical standards and IP Ratings guidelines to ensure an electrically safe home.
Whether you need lighting, sockets or switches installed, get in touch with our team today on 01280 830135 or drop us an email at office@tselectrical.info.
