The IP Code, or Ingress Protection Code is defined in IEC standard 60529 which classifies and rates the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water. The equivalent European standard is EN 60529, which aims to provide users with more detailed information than vague marketing terms such as waterproof.
Manufacturers will often describe their products as being dust or water-resistant. But what if these definitions differ from product to product? How does the consumer know to what extent their phone, camera or other devices really is water-resistant?
IP ratings are there to bring conformity to these levels of protection.
This system grades the level of protection provided by an enclosure or casing against the intrusion of liquids or solid objects.
This usually comes in the form of two numbers. The first number is the level of protection from solid objects, the second is from liquids.
IP ratings can have a large impact on your business. It can mean the difference between your products arriving undamaged on site hence saving a large amount of cost for replacing damaged products.
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our specialized teams of local experts cover a huge range of electrical enclosures, our most common IP ratings being 65, 66, 67, and 68.
