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All About IP Ratings

EN 60529 outlines an international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies (i.e. tools, dust, fingers) and moisture. This classification system utilizes the letters "IP" ("Ingress Protection") followed by two or three digits. (A third digit is sometimes used. An "x" is used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPX4 which addresses moisture resistance only.)

IP65 = IP Letter Code: IP    
  1st Digit:   6  
  2nd Digit:     5
1st Digit Protection from solid objects 2nd Digit Protection from Moisture
0 Not Protected 0 Not Protected
1 inhibits 50mm objects 1 inhibits dripping water
2 inhibits 12mm objects 2 inhibits dripping water up to 15 degrees off vertical
3 inhibits objects greater than 2.5mm diameter 3 inhibits water sprayed up to 60 degrees off vertical
4 inhibits objects greater than 1.0mm diameter 4 inhibits splashing water
5 dust protected 5 inhibits jetted water
6 dust tight 6 protection against heavy seas
Note: EN 60529 does not specify sealing effectiveness against the following: mechanical damage of equipment; the risk of explosions; certain types of moisture conditions, e.g. those that are produced by condensation; corrosive vapours; fungus and vermin. 7 protected against the effects of immersion
8 Protected against submersion