IP44
IP stands for Ingress Protection. It is a rating that describes the protection a fitting has from intrusion of Solid and Liquid material.
The letters IP are always followed by 2 numbers, the first refers to intrusion by solids (1-6) and the second refers to intrusion by liquids (1-8).
For example, a rating of IP44 would be perfect for under an eave where an exterior fitting may get exposed to splashes of rain but not totally exposed to the elements. Whereas an IP68 rating would allow the fitting to be submerged into water, e.g. a pond light.
The chart below gives a detailed overview of what each of the numbers represents:
| | Solids (1st number) | | Liquids (2nd number) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | No Protection | 0 | No Protection |
| 1 | Protected against objects > 50mm (hands) | 1 | Protection against dripping water or condensation |
| 2 | Protected against objects > 12mm (fingers) | 2 | Protection against water spray 15 degrees from vertical |
| 3 | Protected against objects > 2.5mm (tools/wires) | 3 | Protection against water spray 60 degrees from vertical |
| 4 | Protected against objects > 1mm (small tools) | 4 | Protection against water spray from all directions |
| 5 | Protected against dust, limited ingress | 5 | Protection against low-pressure jets of water |
| 6 | Totally protected against dust | 6 | Protected against high pressure water jets and heavy seas |
| 7 | Totally protected against dust | 7 | Protection against the effects of immersion (6 inches to 3.3 feet) |
| 8 | Totally protected against dust | 8 | Protected against immersion |