Ingress Protection (IP) Rating

Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are standardized codes that indicate the degree of protection an enclosure provides against the intrusion of solid particles (like dust) and liquids (like water). These ratings are defined by the international standard IEC 60529 and are crucial for electrical equipment, especially those exposed to harsh environments like outdoor EV chargers, industrial machines, or communication devices.

IP Rating Format

The IP code usually appears as IPXY, where:

X represents the level of protection against solid objects and dust (0–6)

Y represents the level of protection against water (0–9K)

Example:

IP65 means:

6: Dust-tight, complete protection against solids

5: Protected against water jets from any direction

Solid Protection Ratings (First Digit)

Digit	Protection Level	Description
0	No protection	—
1	>50 mm objects	Hand-sized objects
2	>12.5 mm objects	Fingers or similar objects
3	>2.5 mm objects	Tools and thick wires
4	>1 mm objects	Most wires, screws
5	Dust-protected	Some ingress allowed, no harmful effect
6	Dust-tight	Complete dust exclusion

Liquid Protection Ratings (Second Digit)

Digit	Protection Level	Description
0	No protection	—
1	Dripping water	Vertical falling drops
2	Dripping water when tilted 15°	From vertical
3	Spraying water	At angles up to 60°
4	Splashing water	From any direction
5	Water jets	From any direction
6	Powerful water jets	For industrial use
7	Immersion up to 1m	For 30 minutes
8	Continuous immersion	Beyond 1m, as specified by manufacturer
9K	High-pressure, high-temperature jets	Often used in food processing, automotive

Common IP Ratings in Industry

IP Rating	Application
IP20	Indoor electronics
IP44	Bathroom fixtures
IP54	Semi-outdoor environments
IP65	Outdoor electrical enclosures
IP66	Heavy-duty industrial equipment
IP67	Waterproof devices (temporary immersion)
IP68	Submersible devices (long-term immersion)
IP69K	High-pressure washing areas (e.g., automotive)

Importance in EV and Power Systems

EV Chargers: IP65+ for outdoor units to resist rain, dust, and heat

Battery Packs: Often require IP67 or IP68 for protection against water ingress

IoT Devices in Smart Grids: Must resist environmental dust and humidity

💡 Callout: Harmony Direct 2.0 DC Fast Charger — IP65 rated: Dust-tight and protected from water jets, ideal for outdoor deployment.

‍