Typically and IP code indicates an enclosure rating. I.e. resistance to hose applied water, dirt, dust, dripping water, oil, etc. They are roughly equivelent to Nema type standards. I.e. Nema 4, Nema 4X, Nema 12. Generally the need for this type of rating is dependent upon the environment your product will reside in when installed in the field. Generally, if you are looking at a factory-floor type environment, you would be looking at IP65, which is roughly equivelent to Nema4.
In the IP rating, both digits carry significance, for example...in IP65, the 6 indicates a "dust-tight" enclosure, and the 5 indicates protection against water applied through a direct hose jet. Generally the grid looks like this: Digit 1 0 Non Protected 1 Protected against solod objects > than 50 mm 2 Protected against solid objects > than 12 mm 3 Protected against solid objects > than 2.5 mm 4 Protected against solid objects > than 1 mm 5 Dust Protected 6 Dust Tight Digit 2 0 Non Protected 1 Protected against dripping water 2 protected against dripping water when tilted to worse case opening 3 protected against spraying water 4 protected against splashing water 5 protected against water jets 6 protected against heavy seas 7 protected against the effects of immersion 8 protected against submersion These are the enclosure ratings for an ordinary, or non-classified, location. These ratings are different if you are considering an installation into a classified or hazardous type environment. i.e. Class 1 Division 2 (USA) or Zone type environments in Europe! I hope this helps.....if you need some more info, please feel free to contact me: Robert L. Terry Nematron Corporation 313 994 0591 Ext 235 [email protected]
