IP Rating | Electrical IP Ratings Chart

It goes without saying that water and electricity are an extremely dangerous combination. Before using electrical equipment that is going to come into contact with moisture, it is important that you make sure that it meets the safety standards for the application required. Phrases such as ‘water-proof’ may be descriptively correct, but don’t always accurately explain the degree of water resistance that a product offers.

IP (International Protection or Ingress Protection) ratings are an international standard that exists to clarify the exact amount of protection provided against intrusion from solid objects (such as dust) and water. The IP Code is identifiable in product descriptions by the letters ‘IP’, followed by a two-digit number. For example: ‘IP44’.

Contrary to initial impressions, the code is very easy to understand, with the first digit describing the effectiveness of protection against solids, and the second digit the effectiveness against water as follows:

IP Rating Electrical Guide - IP44 rated mirror for the bathroom by HIB

FIRST DIGIT - PROTECTION AGAINST SOLID OBJECTS

0

No protection

1

Protected against solid objects with a diameter of 50cm or over (such as the back of a hand).

2

Protected against solid objects with a diameter of 12mm or over (such as fingers)

3

Protected against solid objects with a diameter of 2.5mm or over (such as tools or thick wires).

4

Protected against objects with a diameter of 1mm or over (such as thin wires, screws etc.)

5

Protected against ingress of dust to a limited degree. Complete protection against contact.

6

Completely protected against dust.

SECOND DIGIT - PROTECTION AGAINST WATER

0

No protection

1

Protected against drops of water falling vertically.

2

Protected against drops of water when tilted to an angle up to 15° from normal

3

Protected against spraying water and rain.

4

Protected against splashing water from any direction

5

Protected against light water jets from a nozzle from any direction.

6

Protected against powerful water jets and conditions on ships' decks.

7

Protected against ingress of water when immersed in water under defined conditions of time and pressure.

8

Completely protected against ingress of water when immersed indefinitely.

For example, a product that is rated IP44 is protected against the intrusion of thin wires and splashing water; a product that is rated IP68 is completely protected from any ingress of water or solids and will be hermetically sealed.

We recommend that you bookmark this page for future reference – if you’re buying electrical equipment for bathroom use, you must always check the electrical IP rating. Stay safe and you'll have no problems, only bright bathrooms.

You may also find some of the following links interesting and helpful.
Wet Room Drainage	Understanding Water Pressures and Bar Rating
Wet Room Installation Video	Ideas for Small Bathrooms