IP ratings
Ingress protection rating digit meanings for Australian electrical equipment selection records.
IP rating meanings for equipment selection
Explain IP rating digit meanings without choosing equipment for a specific environment.
| Rating part | Meaning | Use | Boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| First digit 0-2 | Basic solid-object ingress range from no stated solid protection through finger-size protection. | Record low-level enclosure context. | Does not describe water protection or installation suitability. |
| First digit 3-4 | Solid-object ingress range commonly used where tools, wires or small objects are considered. | Record product rating context. | The rating still needs product and installation review. |
| First digit 5-6 | Dust-protection range, from dust-protected to dust-tight rating context. | Record dusty or industrial environment notes. | Dust rating alone does not prove chemical, heat or mechanical suitability. |
| Second digit 0-4 | Water ingress range from no stated water protection through splashing-water context. | Record indoor, damp or splash exposure notes. | Exposure direction and mounting still matter. |
| Second digit 5-6 | Water-jet rating context. | Record washdown or hose-exposure notes. | Pressure, duration and product instructions remain controlling. |
| Second digit 7-8 | Immersion rating context. | Record temporary or continuous immersion context where the product states it. | Depth, duration and manufacturer limits must be checked. |
| Second digit 9 / 9K | High-pressure or high-temperature washdown context where stated by the product. | Record specialised washdown environments. | Do not infer this rating from lower water digits. |
| X | Digit not specified. | Shows the rating does not state that side of protection. | Do not treat X as zero or as tested protection. |
| Product rating | Rating stated by the product documentation. | Carry product data into the record. | Installation method and environment still matter. |
- This table explains rating structure.
- Equipment selection needs product data, installation environment and competent review.
Where IP ratings meet site conditions
Use the rating meaning to frame enclosure selection, then confirm product certification and environmental exposure for the project.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Explain IP rating digit meanings without choosing equipment for a specific environment. |
| How to use the source | Not formula-backed; this is a rating-meaning table. |
| Standards and project context | AS 60529 / IEC 60529 context; verify current edition, product listing and installation environment. |
| Where judgement is still needed | Use this table for lookup, labelling or worksheet context; do not treat it as a project-specific calculation result. |
| Before relying on it | Confirm current standards, local authority requirements, DNSP conditions, project documents and manufacturer data before relying on a decision. |
Authority basis for IP rating meanings
Review the cited source, checked date and Australian equipment scope before relying on an IP rating.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | IEC 60529 / AS 60529 ingress protection rating context and AUWiring product-record guidance. |
| Source type | External authority or standards source |
| Derivation basis | Public rating-structure summary; product selection, suitability and certification remain outside this table. |
| Last checked | 2026-07-13 |
| Review interval | Annual or when IP rating guidance, product rules or page ownership changes. |
| Review trigger | Standards update, product selection guidance change or project feedback. |
| Version used | R37-2026-07-13 |
| Australian application | Australia; product listing, installation environment and authority requirements control final suitability. |