Automation Encyclopedia: Understanding IP Protection Ratings
When choosing industrial automation instruments, you’ve likely encountered labels like IP65 or IP67. This guide explains IP protection ratings to help you select the right dustproof and waterproof enclosures for industrial environments.
1. What Is an IP Rating?
IP stands for Ingress Protection, a global standard defined by IEC 60529. It classifies how well an electrical enclosure resists intrusion from:
- Solid particles (like dust, tools, or fingers)
- Liquids (like rain, sprays, or immersion)
This makes IP65-rated devices suitable for outdoor installations, dusty workshops, and wet environments like food processing lines or chemical plants.
2. How to Read an IP Rating
An IP code is made up of two digits:
- The first digit shows protection against solids
- The second digit shows protection against liquids
The higher the number, the greater the protection.
Example:
IP65 = Dust-tight (6) + Protected against water jets (5)
IP67 = Dust-tight (6) + Protected against temporary immersion (7)
3. Protection Level Details
5. Common IP Ratings and Typical Use Cases
6. Conclusion
Understanding IP ratings is essential for protecting equipment from environmental hazards and ensuring long-term reliability. When choosing instruments for automation, instrumentation, or field control, always match the IP code to the application environment.
When in doubt, refer to the device datasheet or consult with your technical supplier to confirm compliance with your site’s requirements.
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Post time: May-19-2025