IP54
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 IP54 would be perfect for an exterior fitting that may encounter a slight amount of rain but not exposed to heavy weather. 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 |