How do you choose the right IP rating for an enclosure?
Short answer
To choose an IP rating, assess the environment the enclosure will sit in and match each digit of the rating to it. The first digit describes protection from foreign bodies such as dirt, with dust tight IP6X the most common. The second digit describes protection against moisture and water: normal air humidity with only occasional droplets or splashes needs a low second digit, while high-pressure jets or immersion call for a far more robust enclosure and matching components such as connectors. Our range extends to complete protection from water ingress even when permanently submerged at depths of up to 15 metres.
To determine what IP rating is ideal for your application, look at the surrounding environment and work out what could pose a threat to your electrical equipment. Protecting the equipment within an enclosure is extremely important to ensuring reliable, long-term operation.
Ingress protection (IP) ratings define the levels of sealing effectiveness that electrical enclosures can offer against intrusion from foreign bodies, such as dirt, and from moisture. The first number of the IP rating describes the degree of protection from foreign bodies, with dust tight IP6X being the most common. The second digit refers to the ability to prevent moisture and water from penetrating the structure.
If the enclosure will be exposed to normal levels of air humidity and only rarely to water droplets or splashes, you can select a solution where the second digit is low. Conversely, if the product needs to withstand high-pressure jets or immersion in water, you will need a particularly robust enclosure, as well as suitably rated associated components such as connectors.
We offer a broad range of enclosures to address different IP requirements, including solutions that give complete protection from water ingress even when permanently submerged at depths of up to 15 metres. The ratings are certified in our in-house testing laboratory, in accordance with VDE standards.
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