IP & NEMA Ratings and their meaning in relation to Electronic Enclosures
Information about outdoor enclosure protection ratings
The importance of IP and NEMA Ratings lies in their role as standards to define sealing effectiveness levels in electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies and moisture.
These ratings are crucial for ensuring the safety and functionality of electrical equipment, particularly in environments that are prone to dust, water, and other potential contaminants.
IP Ratings Explained
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating is used to score the capability of an enclosure in terms of the protection it provides against the term used to determine the degree of protection an object achieves from the intrusion (or ingress) of external materials (including solids and liquids).
IP Ratings are defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
It is commonly used in our industry to avoid more vague terms such as ‘waterproof’ or ‘dust proof’ so that a more exact standard for an enclosure is given.
IP codes consist of two numbers, the first digit being the ingress protection against harmful foreign objects and the second digit indicates ingress protection against liquids. The higher the number, the greater the protection. An IP code with a two-digit number is then created e.g. IP67.
0. No Ingress Protection
1. Protected against solid objects up to 50 mm e.g. accidental touching by human body part.
2. Protected against solid objects up to 12 mm e.g. fingers or similar objects.
3. Protected against solid objects over 2.5 mm e.g. tools and thick wires.
4 Protected against solid objects over 1 mm e.g. tools, small wires and large ants.
5. Protected against dust – limited ingress permitted (not enough to interfere with equipment).
6. Totally protected against dust (complete protection against contact).
0. No Ingress protection.
1. Protected against vertically falling drops of water or dripping water.
2. Protected against vertically falling drops of water up to 15° from the vertical.
3. Protected against spraying water up to 60° from vertical.
4. Protected against water sprays / splashing from all directions.
5. Protected against low pressure water jets from all directions.
6. Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on ship decks.
6K Protected against powerful water jets with elevated pressure.
7. Protected against the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m (continuous up to 30 minutes).
8. Protected against long periods of immersion at 1 meter or more depth.
9. Protected against close-range high pressure, high temperature spray downs.
NEMA Ratings Explained
In the USA, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association defines NEMA enclosure standards. NEMA ratings are different to IP Ratings and cover additional product features and tests (including icing conditions and hazardous situations).
The following list outlines which IP Rating code each respective NEMA guideline meets.
NEMA enclosure IP code
1 IP20
2 IP22
3, 3X, 3S, 3SX IP55
3R, 3RX IP24
4, 4X IP44, IP66, IP65
5 IP53
6 IP67
6P IP68
12, 12K, 13 IP54
Discover different applications and solutions for protecting your electronic devices against adverse effects such as submersion in liquids and dust protection. We have a huge range of specific parts to meet many requirements.
To access more resources, browse our website. If you have any questions, we are only a call or email away.
Request a callback & sign up to newsletter
Perhaps you have a future project in mind or need some technical support? Our IP67 specialists are on hand to help.