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If you operate in the aerospace, telecommunications, automotive, electronics or similar manufacturing space, identifying the right ingress protection (IP) grade for your business is vital for ensuring the safety of both your worksite and the products that it produces. Common IP ratings, like IP55 and IP65, give business owners valuable information about their electrical enclosures and electronic device protection levels against dust, moisture and other potential hazards.
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What Is an IP Rating System?
The original IP rating systems, known as ingress protection codes or international protection codes, were developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Businesses often rely on Ingress Protection (IP) ratings to determine the electronic devices' level of protection against incidental contact with environmental elements such as dust, water and other harmful materials.
The IP rating system, in general, has become increasingly vital in the small business and manufacturing sectors because it provides a reliable framework for consumers and product developers alike to evaluate worksite and product safety. The first numeral in the ratings ranges from IP 0 (no protection) to IP 6 (dustproof), while the second digit displays your products’ protection levels against liquids and moisture.
A rating of "0" or "X" for the second digit of an IP rating would indicate no protection against water, while a rating of "9" would indicate the highest level of protection against water, specifically against high-pressure jetted hot water from varying angles. An IP rating of 8 is generally considered waterproof.
Understanding the IP Rating System
To guarantee safety and optimal performance, business owners need to thoroughly understand the grading system and know which IP ratings their goods and equipment must conform to in order to ensure a safe worksite and successful product outcomes.
Here’s a breakdown of the various protection levels against ingress solids. Keep in mind that the test timing intervals vary with each rating:
- X - Insufficient data to establish a rating
- 0 - No ingress protection
- 1 - Particles > 50 mm to 2.0 in
- 2 - Particles > 12.5 mm to 0.49 in
- 3 - Particles > 2.5 mm to 0.098 in
- 4 - Particles > 1 mm to 0.039 in
- 5 - Dust protected
- 6 - Dust-tight
The second digit within the IP ratings code indicates protection as follows:
- X - Insufficient data to establish a rating
- 0 - No ingress protection against liquids
- 1 - Vertically falling droplets
- 2 - Vertically falling water at angles of 15 degrees
- 3 - Spraying water at any angle up to 60 degrees
- 4 - Splashing water from any direction for up to 10 minutes
- 5 - Jetted water up from a nozzle up to 0.25 at any angle
- 6 - Higher-power jetted water from a nozzle up to 0.25 at any angle
- 6K - Higher-power jetted water with increased pressure from a nozzle up to 0.25 in at any angle
- 7 - Water immersion up to a depth of 3 feet, 3 inches
- 8 - Water immersion greater than 3 feet, 3 inches in depth
- 9k - High-temperature jetted water
Lastly, the supplementary third-character information trailing the first two digits in the IP ratings code indicates product standards. These codes are represented by the following letters:
- D - Wire
- F - Oil resistant
- H - High voltage apparatus
- M - Device is in motion
- S - Standing still
- W - Specific weather conditions
What Is IP55?
You’ll typically encounter IP55 ratings on the product itself if not on the accompanying packaging. Since regulators hold manufacturers to such rigorous standards, most businesses want to maintain at least an IP55 rating. This rating has limited protection from dust and water, making it an option for indoor and outdoor uses. However, products with an IP55 rating are not waterproof.
What Is IP65?
The IP65 rating is an industrial standard for electrical and mechanical protection from dust, water, external damage, accidental contact and more. It provides businesses with the essential protection from weather and environmental factors that they need to comply with regulator demands.
IP65-rated units and products typically feature some combination of gaskets, sealant, cables and cable glands, allowing for protection from foreign objects such as water jets, dust, oil and chemicals. These features ensure the unit’s safe operation in an array of potentially hazardous work environments. The rating also certifies that the product has been assessed for total protection against corrosion and vibration and can operate at a given long-term temperature range.
IP55 vs. IP65: Their Use Cases and Key Differences
The IP55 and IP65 ratings share many similarities. However, depending on the application, the ratings and case uses can differ significantly. Knowing how to distinguish between the two ratings can simplify the decision-making process for your next project. The IP55 rating protects from dust and moisture intrusion, while the IP65 rating offers higher protection from dry matter.
The IP55 rating is relatively common across many business and industrial settings. It safeguards against the ingress of foreign objects that lead to faulty products and worksite hazards. This rating helps engineers prevent potentially damaging particles from entering and compromising the operation of the machinery and factory outcomes. The IP55 rating similarly provides protection against water spraying out of a nozzle from any direction.
The IP65 rating is significantly more robust and offers increased protection against dust intrusion, so you can expect considerably reduced dust particles entering into your equipment. The IP65 grade, likewise, provides protection from fast-flowing, pointed jets of water from virtually any direction. The rating is, therefore, most suitable for use in damp or humid environments, such as a factory floor that may experience regular hosing down or other forms of intense moisture.
You’ll likely encounter both ratings labeled on various products and materials, including steel, stainless steel, plastic and aluminum.
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Primary Considerations When Choosing Between IP55 and IP65
For warehouse manufacturers who need to install equipment, the choice between an IP55 and IP65 rating might seem confusing at first glance, but it shouldn’t be an overly complicated process. When selecting between IP55 and IP65, the first consideration is the environmental conditions within your operating space. IP55 can be a suitable choice if the environment is reasonably protected from dust and moisture. IP65, on the other hand, might be more appropriate in warehouses that reflect harsher conditions where equipment may be exposed to higher levels of dust particles.
A NEMA-rated polycarbonate enclosure from Polycase, for instance, is IP65 compliant and is suitable for protecting under varying elements. Implement a solution like this if your worksite is subject to high dust levels. Knowing your factory’s environmental conditions beforehand makes it much easier to select the correct rating.
Consider, as well, the desired shelf life of the equipment you intend to install. An IP55 rating offers suitable protection against dry matter, but the IP65 rating does an even better job under more intense conditions. Both ratings can extend the useful life of your machinery because they safeguard against water and are effective in environments where moisture and condensation pose risks.
However, if your equipment is subject to intense jetted water or even water submersion, you may need to pursue an IP moisture rating of 7 or 8. Nevertheless, depending on the lifetime desired for the equipment, either IP55 or IP65 should be suitable for most industrial applications. For an outdoor solution, consider using an IP65-rated ZH series enclosure for optimal weather and dust protection.
Worksite safety levels are always a concern when choosing between an IP55 and an IP65 rating. Both provide similar levels of defense. However, depending on your application, you may require increased dust protection so that your equipment doesn’t fail. Machinery installed in hazardous environments must have the correct rating to guarantee worker safety. While it’s important to assess the environment, selecting the correct IP rating helps you maintain an optimally safe worksite.
These are just a few primary factors to consider when choosing between an IP55 and an IP65 rating. Remember to start with your environmental conditions before looking at equipment lifespan and evaluating worksite safety concerns before making a final decision. When you account for these three main considerations, you’re all but assured to choose the right rating to protect your equipment and personnel from damage and worksite injury.
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Protect Your Equipment With Polycase
For a reliable and cost-effective solution that safeguards your products and workplace, consider a hinged junction box, a waterproof box or even a stainless steel enclosure. At Polycase, we have numerous enclosures that will keep your electronics and equipment protected.
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