The degrees of protection for protection against contact and foreign objects and against water are indicated by characteristic numerals. The IP Code is characterised by 2 numerals. For the USA and Canada, the IP codes can roughly be compared with NEMA ICS6-1983/EEMAC E14-2 (for USA) or CSA-C22.1/CSA-C22.2 No. 94 (for Canada). (For example IP20 equivalent to enclosure type 1 or IP54 equivalent to enclosure type 3.)
1. code number: protection against contact and foreign bodies
2. code number: splash water protection
| Protection against contact and foreign bodies | Naming | Explanation | Splash water protection | Naming | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | ||||
| 1 | Protection against foreign bodies ≥ 50 mm | Protection against accidental large-area contact. Protected against solid foreign bodies with a diameter of 50 mm and larger | 1 | Protection against vertically falling dripping water | Drops of water falling vertically must not have any harmful effect |
| 2 | Protection against foreign bodies ≥ 12.5 mm | Protection against touching with fingers. Protected against solid foreign bodies with a diameter of 12.5 mm and larger | 2 | Protection against dripping water at up to 15° enclosure inclination | Drops falling vertically shall have no harmful effects if the enclosure is inclined by an angle of 15° on either side of vertical |
| 3 | Protection against foreign bodies ≥ 2.5 mm | Protection against contact. Protected against solid foreign bodies with a diameter of 2.5 mm and larger | 3 | Protection against water spray | Spray water up to 60° on both sides of the vertical, must not have any harmful effect |
| 4 | Protection against foreign bodies ≤ 1 mm | Protection against contact. Protected against solid foreign bodies with a diameter of 1 mm and larger | 4 | Protection against water spray | Splash water from all directions must not have any harmful effect |
| 5 | Protection against dust deposit | Complete protection against contact. Protection against harmful dust deposits, penetration of dust is not completely prevented | 5 | Protection against water jets | A jet of water from a nozzle from any direction shall have no harmful effect |
| 6 | Protection against dust ingress, dust-tight | Complete protection against contact, protection against dust penetration | 6 | Protection against strong jets of water | Water, directed as a strong jet against the enclosure, shall have no harmful effect |
| 7 | Protection during temporary immersion | When immersed in water, water must not penetrate in harmful quantities | |||
| 8 | Protection during permanent immersion | In case of permanent immersion in water, water must not penetrate in harmful quantities |