Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings Chart
IP ratings are the the rating system of the capability of a motor to resist the ingress of both solids and liquids. In layman's terms, they rate the seal of the motor.
IP ratings: Solids
The first number of an IP rating refers to the ability of a motor to resist the ingress of solids such as dirt and dust, tools, or even fingers. This number can range from one to six with one offering the lowest level of protection, and six offering the highest.
IP ratings: Liquids
The second number refers to the ability of a motor to resist the ingress of liquids. This number can range from one to eight. At one, a motor is only protected from vertically falling water, while at eight it's protected against complete immersion in water over long periods of time.
IP ratings: X and K
Additionally, IP ratings can contain an X (e.g. IPX3) if a motor either was not tested at all for either solid or liquid ingress, or if the test data was inconclusive. A zero can also be used in place of an X.
The letter 'K' can also be used in an IP rating to denote protection against jets of high-pressure, high-temperature water often found in washdown environments.
"IP" stands for "Ingress Protection." An IP rating indicates how well a device is protected against solids (like dust) and liquids (like water). The rating is defined by international standards, such as IEC 60529.
The code always starts with "IP" followed by two digits (e.g., IP67). The first digit represents the level of protection against solids, and the second digit represents protection against liquids. Higher numbers mean greater protection; sometimes one digit is replaced by "X" if not specified.
The first digit (0–6) shows the level of protection against solid objects and dust. For example, 0 means no protection, 4 means protection against wires or screws, and 6 means fully dust-tight.
The second digit (0–8) indicates the level of protection against moisture. For example, 0 means no protection, 4 means protection from water splashes, 7 means protection during immersion up to 1 meter, and 8 means protection when immersed beyond 1 meter.
"X" means there is no data for that level of protection. For instance, "IPX7" is tested only for water but not for dust, and "IP6X" is tested for dust but not water.
Not always—higher numbers mean greater protection, but the right rating depends on where and how the equipment is used. For example, outdoor gear should typically have higher water and dust resistance than indoor devices.
Letters after the numbers provide extra information. For example, "W" means protection against weather conditions, "D" means protection against a wire touching hazardous parts, and "B" means protection against access with a finger.
For most outdoor uses, an IP rating of at least IP44 is recommended, but higher ratings (IP65 or above) are commonly used for harsh or wet environments to ensure full protection.
