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What is Ingress Protection?
27 October 2021
When purchasing electrical goods, there are many specifications to consider. But one specific feature that some of our customers may not be aware of is the IP rating of electrical goods.
We have had discussions with customers in the past who ask for goods with “an IP65 as I’ve been told that’s good”, without fully understanding each category and what they stand for.
We’re here to help, so read on to find out some useful information!
An IP rating or IP code classifies the amount of protection provided by a covering, casing, or enclosure for electrical goods with a rated voltage that does not exceed 72.5kV.
Especially for somewhere like the UK where, let’s face it, we get a lot of rain, it’s important that exterior electrical equipment can withstand rain, snow, and other forces of mother nature.
Look at this simple table showing the various categories. Note that there is a classification for both numbers used in the IP rating:
One thing to go by to make things easier to understand is this: the higher the IP classification, the more the enclosure will be airtight
If we take an example such as Charge Amps and their outdoor electrical outlets for car charging, the IP rating will be high as the enclosure has to protect against dust, water, insects, and the like, to ensure no damage comes to the outlet or the car.
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Learn moreWhat rating do I need?
It will completely depend on your project or enterprise. Higher rated enclosures will cost more but may be necessary for goods such as external surveillance cameras. Additional precautions and tests must be put into place to ensure the enclosure meets the standard efficiently. As a result of this, there is a commercial pressure to go for the lowest rating possible that will ‘do the job’. Don’t be fooled though! It’s far more efficient to invest money into goods with a higher IP rating as it will reduce the risk of replacing the product completely. One thing to bear in mind is that when you purchase through us at EET, our products can be covered by a warranty of up to 3 years, so you can purchase with confidence!
Want to discuss more? Or do you have further questions? Not a problem at all!
Click on the link below to book a meeting with one of our friendly and insightful team to discuss your enterprise.