IP Ratings
An IP rating, or “Ingress Protection” rating is an international standard used to define the level of protection of electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies such as dirt, dust and water. The ratings provide more detailed information than vague and simple terminology such as “vapor proof”.
An IP rating consists of two digits, each which specify a certain level of protection. The first digit indicates the degree of protection against the ingress of solid objects. The second digit indicates the amount of protection against liquids, including various levels of water from moisture to full submersion. The larger the digits are in value, the higher the protection.
IP Rating Chart
IP RATING CHART:
| IPXX | First digit: Ingress of solid objects |
Second digit: Ingress of liquids |
| 0 | No protection of any kind | No protection of any kind |
| 1 | Protected against large solid objects such as hand or big tools; Objects more than 50mm in diameter. | Protected against condensation. |
| 2 | Protected against solid objects such as fingers; Anything over 12.5mm in diameter. | Protected against water droplets, only when disposed up to 15º from vertical. |
| 3 | Protected against solid small tools and wire; Objects over 2.5mm in diameter | Protected against sprays of water when disposed up to 60º from vertical. |
| 4 | Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0mm in diameter | Protected against water spray from any direction. |
| 5 | Limited protection against the ingress of dust. | Protected against low pressure water jets from any direction. |
| 6 | Complete protection against the ingress of dust. | Protected against high pressure water jets from any direction. |
| 7 | N/A | Protected against temporary water immersion. |
| 8 | N/A | Protected against prolonged effects of immersion under pressure. |
| 9k | N/A | Protected against close-range high pressure, high temperature spray downs. |
NEMA Ratings
While IP ratings define the level of protection an electrical enclosure has against specific elements, a NEMA rating specifies what type of environmental location the equipment can successfully and safely be used in, and what environmental conditions the equipment can withstand.
Type 1: For indoor use only. Provide degree of personnel protection against hazardous working parts, and a degree of protection for the equipment against the ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt).
Type 2: For indoor use only. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of light water ingress such as dripping and light splashing.
Type 3: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and windblown dust), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet and snow. Formation of ice on enclosure will not harm it.
Type 3R: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet and snow. Formation of ice on enclosure will not harm it.
Type 3S: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and windblown dust), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet and snow. External mechanisms remain operable when ice laden.
Type 3X: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and windblown dust), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet and snow. Additional level of protection against corrosion from formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 3RX: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet and snow. External mechanisms remain operable when ice laden. Additional level of protection against corrosion from formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 3SX: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and windblown dust), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet and snow. External mechanisms remain operable when ice laden.
Type 4: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and windblown dust), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet, snow, splashing water and hose directed water. Will remain undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 4X: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and windblown dust), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of heavier water ingress such as rain, sleet, snow, splashing water and hose directed water. Will remain undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure, and protected against corrosion.
Type 5: For indoor use only. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt, settling airborne dust, lint fibers and flyings), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of light water ingress such as dripping and light splashing.
Type 6: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of water (hose directed water and entry of water from temporary submersion at limited depth. Will remain undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 6P: For Indoor and outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of water (hose directed water and entry of water from prolonged submersion at limited depth. Will remain undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure, and protected against corrosion.
Type 12: Constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use only. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fibers and flyings), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of water (dripping and light splashing).
Type 12K: Constructed (with knockouts) for indoor use only. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fibers and flyings), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of water (dripping and light splashing).
Type 13: For indoor use only. Provides a degree of protection for personnel against hazardous parts, for the equipment against ingress of solid objects (falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fibers and flyings), and a degree of protection against the harmful effects of water (dripping and light splashing). Additional protection against spraying, splashing and seepage of oil and non-corrosive coolants.
IP and NEMA Rating Equivalency Chart
| IP Rating | NEMA Rating |
| IP10 | 1 |
| IP11 | 2 |
| IP54 | 3 & 3S |
| IP14 | 3R |
| IP66 | 4 & 4X |
| IP52 | 5 |
| IP67 | 6 & 6P |
| IP52 | 12 & 12K |
| IP54 | 13 |