What are the different IP or Ingress Protection Ratings?

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What are the different IP or Ingress Protection Ratings?

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings classify the degrees of protection provided by an electrical enclosure against the intrusion of solid objects and liquids. Defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60529), a standard rating consists of the letters “IP” followed by two numbers (e.g., IP67).

The Structure of an IP Rating

First Digit (0–6): Measures protection against solid particles like dust, tools, and fingers.
Second Digit (0–9): Measures protection against liquids like splashes, rain, and submersion.
The Letter “X”: Indicates that the device has not been tested for that specific category (e.g., IPX7 means it has no official dust rating).

First Digit: Solid Particle Protection

This digit scales from large objects down to microscopic dust particles.

DIGIT	protection level	Test Details / Application
0	No protection	No barrier against any contact.
1	Objects > 50 mm	Large body surfaces like the back of a hand.
2	Objects > 12.5 mm	Fingers or similar small physical objects.
3	Objects > 2.5 mm	Tools, thick wires, and screwdrivers.
4	Objects > 1 mm	Most wires, slender screws, and large insects.
5	Dust-protected	Limited dust entry; does not interfere with operation.
6	Dust-tight	Complete protection; no dust can enter.

Second Digit: Liquid Protection

This digit scales from light vertical condensation up to high-pressure submersion.

Note: Ratings 7, 8, and 9K focus on immersion and high pressure, but do not automatically guarantee compliance with lower-level water jet tests (like 5 or 6) unless explicitly dual-certified.

DIGIT	protection level	Test Details / Application
0	No protection	Zero resistance to moisture.
1	Vertically dripping water	Protects against light, falling rain drops.
2	Dripping water at 15° tilt	Protects against water drops when tilted.
3	Spraying water	Resistant to water spraying up to a 60° angle.
4	Splashing water	Protected against splashes from any direction.
5	Low-pressure water jets	Can withstand water projected from a nozzle.
6	High-pressure water jets	Protected against powerful jets or heavy seas.
7	Temporary immersion	Survives submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
8	Continuous immersion	Survives deep, long submersion (depth set by manufacturer).
9K	High-pressure/temp jets	Withstands close-range, high-temperature washdowns.

Common Real-World Ratings

IP20: Common for indoor home electronics; safe from fingers but not water.
IP54: Found on general outdoor fixtures; resists typical dust and light rain.
IP65 / IP66: Standard for heavy-duty outdoor lighting and security cameras. We have Belimo actuators with IP66 rating

IP67 / IP68: Found on modern smartphones and smartwatches to survive accidental drops into pools or sinks. We have Belimo actuators with IP67 rating.

Did You Know?

NEMA and IP are two different rating systems. They test for different hazards. They are used in different parts of the world.

Key Differences

NEMA is North American. It is set by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
IP is international. It is set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
NEMA tests for extra hazards. It includes corrosion, oil, and ice.
IP only tests for two things. It only rates dust and water.

The Conversion Rule

You can convert NEMA to IP.
You cannot convert IP to NEMA.

NEMA ratings define the environmental protection levels for electrical enclosures used in North America. Established by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, these standards help you choose the right enclosure to protect electrical components from dust, water, and corrosion.

Standard NEMA Ratings Overview

The table below breaks down the most common NEMA ratings, their locations, and what they protect against.

NEMA Rating	Environment	Key Protections	Typical Applications
NEMA 1	Indoor	Light dust, accidental touch	Commercial offices, control rooms
NEMA 3R	Outdoor	Rain, sleet, snow, external ice	Outdoor power boxes, utility meters
NEMA 4	Indoor/Outdoor	Windblown dust, rain, hose-directed water	Car washes, industrial factories
NEMA 4X	Indoor/Outdoor	Windblown dust, hose water, corrosion	Swimming Pools, marine environments, chemical plants
NEMA 12	Indoor	Circulating dust, lint, fibers, oil/coolant seepage	Automated manufacturing floors
NEMA 13	Indoor	Dust, spraying water, oil and non-corrosive coolants	Machine tool workshops

Non-Hazardous vs. Hazardous Locations

NEMA ratings are broadly divided into two environments:

Non-Hazardous (Standard) Environments

These focus on weatherproofing, dustproofing, and water ingress.

NEMA 1 through 6 and 11 through 13 handle general industrial, commercial, and outdoor environments.
The higher the number, generally the more intense the liquid protection (e.g., NEMA 4 handles high-pressure hoses, while NEMA 6 can handle temporary submersion).

Hazardous Locations (Explosion-Proof)

These are specialized enclosures designed for environments containing volatile gases, vapors, or combustible dust.

NEMA 7: Designed for indoor explosive gas environments (Class I, Division 1).
NEMA 9: Designed for indoor explosive dust environments (Class II, Division 1).

Key Rating Comparison Details

NEMA 4 vs. NEMA 4X: Both offer the exact same dust and high-pressure water protection. However, NEMA 4X adds mandatory corrosion resistance, usually requiring stainless steel or fiberglass. Here is a picture of a Belimo actuator offering NEMA 4X

NEMA 3R vs. NEMA 4: NEMA 3R only protects against falling rain, sleet, or snow. NEMA 4 adds complete protection against airborne dust and directly sprayed hose water.
NEMA 12 vs. NEMA 13: Both protect against indoor dust and dripping water, but NEMA 13 features specialized oil-resistant gaskets to keep out industrial lubricants and cutting coolants.