DEGREE OF INGRESS PROTECTION
1.0 Introduction
The IP code expresses the safety requirements for
degree of protection of enclosure of electrical and
electronics equipment against ingress of solid or
liquid foreign materials. The different national
and international standards provide a system for
the ingress of protection like,
1. IS/IEC: 60529-2001
Degree of Protection of Enclosed Equipment
2. IS: 9000-Part XIII
Basic Environment Testing Procedures
Provided by Enclosure of Electronic and
Electrical Items
3. IS/IEC: 60947-(Part 1)-2007
Degree of Protection of Enclosure for L.V.
Switchgear & Control gear
4. IEC: 60529-2013
Degrees of protection provided by enclosures
(IP Code)
5. IS/IEC: 60034-5-2000
Degree of Protection Provided by Enclosure
for Rotating Electrical Machinery
6. IS: 10322-(Part 4)-1984
Specification for Luminaries
The type of protection covered is as follows:
a. Protection of persons against accidental
contact with or approach to live parts and
against contact with moving parts inside the
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enclosure and protection of the equipment
against ingress of solid foreign bodies.
b. Protection of the equipment inside the
enclosure against harmful ingress of water.
2.0 Designation (Classification Systems)
The designation consists of the letter IP followed
by two numeral (IPXX).
1st numeral specifies the degree of protection of
persons against contact with live or moving parts
and against ingress of solid foreign body parts.
2nd numeral specifies the degree of protection
against harmful ingress of water.
For protection against contact and ingress of
solids, there are degree 0 (no protection) to 6
(dust tight) and is given in Table 1.
For protection against water, there are degrees 0
(no protection) to 8 (protected against
submersion) and is given in Table 2.
The letters H, S, M and W which have already
been used for rotating machines shall be used
with the following:
H -High voltage apparatus
S - Tested against harmful ingress of water when
equipment is not in operation (e.g. Stationary
machine)
M -Tested against harmful ingress of water when
equipment is in operation
W-(Placed immediately after the letter IP)
equipment is suitable for use under specified
weather condition
E.g.
IP 5 3
IP characteristic letter
5 First characteristic letter
3 Second characteristic letter
3.0 Tests for First Characteristics Numeral
3.1 For First Characteristics Numeral-0
No test is required
3.2 Test for First Numeral-1
Test is carried out with a rigid sphere
diameter of (50+0.05) mm, applied against
opening in the enclosure with a force of 50N
± 10%. The protection is satisfactory if the
sphere does not pass through any opening.
3.3 Test for First Numeral-2
Equipment: Standard test finger (Figure-1)
Source: 230V/40V with indicating lamp
Standard test finger is connected to low
voltage source. One of the ends of the low
voltage source is connected to live parts
inside the enclosure and other end is
connected to test finger. Test finger is
applied (not more than 10N ± 10%) against
any opening of the enclosure.
Protection is satisfactory if the lamp does not
light.
3.4 Test for First Numeral-3
Equipment: Steel wire of diameter
(2.5+0.05) mm
The test is made with straight rigid steel wire
of (2.5+0.05) mm diameter with a force of
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3N ± 10%. The protection is satisfactory if
the wire does not enter into the enclosure.
3.5 Test for First Numeral-4
Equipment: Steel wire of diameter (1 ±
0.05) mm
Test is carried out with straight rigid steel
wire of (1 ± 0.05) mm diameter with a force
of 1N ± 10%.
The protection is satisfactory if the wire
cannot enter into the enclosure.
3.6 Test for First Numeral-5
This test is done to verify that dust does not
enter in sufficient quantity to interface with
satisfactory operation of the equipment.
Equipment:
1. Dust chamber (Figure-2)
2. Air flow meter
3. Circulating pump and suction pump
4. Water manometer - 0-60cm
5. Talcum powder - 200 mesh size
Enclosure during the normal working cycle
of the equipment causes reduction in air
pressure within the enclosure below the
surrounding atmospheric pressure e.g.
thermal cycling effect.
Sample is first tested for Insulation resistance
(500V DC), High voltage test (2.0kV) and
Performance test.
Sample is to be provided with nozzle suitable
to connect the suction pump. The sample is
to be kept inside the dust chamber. Calculate
the volume of air inside the enclosure and
also calculate 80 times volume air. Air inside
the enclosure is sucked out using suction
pump to create a practical vacuum of 200
mm water.
 Switch on the circulating pump so that the
atmosphere of dust is created inside the
chamber. The suction pump is continuously
maintaining vacuum of 200 mm water inside
the test sample. Test is continued till volume
of air drawn out equal to 80 times volume of
the enclosure. If suction rate is not sufficient
to achieve this, the test may be discontinued
after 8 hours.
After the test, the sample is taken out and
checked. There should not be dust deposit
sufficiently to hamper the operation of the
equipment. The high voltage test at 80% of
2.0kV and insulation resistance measurement
at 500V DC is to be carried out.
The protection is satisfactory if on
inspection, talcum powder has not
accumulated in a quantity or location such
as, with any kind of dust it could interface
with the correct operation of the equipment.
3.7 Test for First Numeral-6
The equipment and the procedure are same
as IP 5X. The protection is satisfactory if no
deposit of dust is observed inside the
enclosure at the end of test.
 Test for First Numeral IP5X on
Luminarie:
IP 5X Test:
Luminaire are switched on before IP 5X test,
and brought to a stable operating temperature
at rated voltage (approx 3 to 4 hours).
Test Luminary Time in hours
Conditions Conditions
Test On Switched On For 1 minute
Test On Switched Off For 3 Hours
4.0 Test for Second Characteristics Numeral
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Test shall be conducted with fresh water for
second characteristic.
4.1 Test for Second Numeral-0
No test is required
4.2 Test for Second Numeral-1
Equipment: Dripping equipment (Figure-3)
Rate of rain fall between 3 to 5
mm/min
Insulation resistance, High voltage
(2kV/2.5kV) and Performance test are to be
carried out prior to the test. The sample is to
be placed in normal operating position under
the dripping equipment. The base of dripping
equipment should be larger than that of
sample.
Rate of rainfall shall be adjusted 3 to 5 mm
per minute. Duration of test is 10 minute.
Insulating resistance, High voltage (2kV) and
Performance test are to be carried out after
the test.
The protection is satisfactory if status of
equipment after the tests meets the
requirements as specified in sl. no.5.0.
4.3 Test for Second Numeral-2
This test is similar to second numeral-1 test
except that sample is tested for 2.5min. in
each of four fixed position of tilt. These
positions are 150 either side of the vertical in
two mutually perpendicular planes.
The protection is satisfactory if status of
equipment after the test meets the
requirements as specified in sl. no. 5.0.
4.4 Test for Second Numeral-3
Equipment: Spraying & splashing (Figure-4)
 The sample is kept on the platform with a
turntable with vertical axis under the
oscillating tube with spray holes over an arc
of 600 either side of the centre point. Table is
located at centre point of the semi circle.
Turntable is rotated at the convenient speed
so that all parts of the enclosure are wetted
during the test. Water should be delivered at
a rate of at least 10 liter per minute.
Duration of test shall be 10 minute.
 Test for Second Digit Numeral on
Luminaire:
status of equipment after the test meets the
requirements as specified in sl. no. 5.0.
4.5 Test for Second Numeral-4
Equipment is placed with counter balanced
shield. Water pressure & test duration is
same as mentioned in 4.4 (i.e. 10 liter per
minute with minimum 5 minute duration).
The protection is satisfactory if status of
equipment after the test meets the
requirements as specified in sl. no. 5.0.
4.6 Test for Second Numeral-5 &6

a) IP X3 Test: Protection against Spraying Test is carried out by spraying the enclosure
Water from all practical directions with stream of
Test duration - 20 minute water from a standard test nozzle, is as
Luminary switched on - 10 minute shown in Figure-6. Test parameters are as
Luminary switched off -10 minute follows:
X5 X6
b) IP X4 Test: Protection against Splashing Nozzle Diameter 6.3mm 12.5mm
Water 12.5 l/mm 100 l/mm
Delivery Rate
Same procedure as in IP X3 test ± 5% ± 5%
IP X3 Test IP X4 Test Water Pressure 0.3 bar 0.3 bar
Water sprayed Water splashed on Minimum Test
3 min 3 min
on sample with sample from every Duration
vertical plane practically possible Test Duration per
1 min 1 min
direction m2 of Enclosure
Distance from
Nozzle Enclosure 3 meter 3 meter
c) IP X5 Test: Protection against Water Jet
Surface
Nozzle diameter - 6.3mm
Test duration - 15minute (only for luminaire)
The protection is satisfactory if status of
equipment after the test meets the
Alternative:
requirements as specified in sl. no.5.
If the equipment is not possible to
accommodate, it is proposed to go for
4.7 Test for Second Numeral-7
alternative method. In this, the equipment is
placed with counter balanced shield. Water
Test is carried out by completely immersing
pressure should be such that it can deliver
the enclosure in water, so that the following
(10 ± 0.5) % liter water per minute.
conditions are satisfied:
The test duration shall be 1minute per m2 of
1. Surface of the water shall be at least
surface with a minimum duration of 5
150mm above the highest point of the
minute. The protection is satisfactory if
enclosure.

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 2. The lowest portion of the enclosure shall
be at least 1 meter below the surface of
water.
Duration of test shall be at least 30 minute.
The protection is satisfactory if status of
equipment after test meets the requirements
as specified in sl. no.5.0.
4.8 Test for Second Numeral-8
Test conditions are subjected to agreement
between manufacturers and users but they
should not be less than those specified for
second numeral 7.
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5.0 Status of the Equipment after the Test
After the water test, if water has entered, it shall
not
- Be sufficient to interfere with satisfactorily
operation of the equipment
- Reach live parts or winding not designed to
operate when wet
- Accumulate near the cable end or enter the
cable if any
Insulation resistance, High voltage (80% of initial
value) & Performance tests are carried out to
ascertain quality of insulating materials and
operation of the equipment.
 Table-1: Degree of Protection Indicated by the First Characteristic Numeral
First
Characteristi Short Description Definition
c Numeral
0 Non-protected No special protection
A large surface of the body, such as
Protected against rigid sphere without handle or
a hand (but no protection against
1 guard of diameter 50 + 0.05 mm, with a force
deliberate access). Solid objects
of 50N ± 10%
exceeding 50 mm in diameter.
Fingers or similar objects not
The jointed test finger may penetrate up to its
exceeding 80 mm in length. Solid
2 80 mm length with a force of 10N ± 10%, but
objects exceeding 12mm in
adequate clearance shall be kept
diameter.
Tools, wires etc. of diameter or
Protected against solid objects greater than thickness greater than 2.5 mm. Solid
3
2.5 mm with a force of 3N ± 10% objects exceeding 2.5 mm in
diameter.
Wires or strips of thickness greater
Protected against solid objects greater than
4 than 1.0 mm. Solid objects
1.0 mm with a force of 1N ± 10%
exceeding 1.0 mm in diameter.
Ingress of dust is not totally
prevented but dust does not enter in
5 Dust-protected sufficient quantity to interfere with
satisfactory operation of the
equipment.
6 Dust-tight No ingress of dust
Note 1: The short description given in column 2 of this table should not be used to specify the form of
protection. It should only be used as a brief description.
Note 2: For first characteristic numerals 3 & 4, the application of this table to equipment containing
drain holes or ventilating openings is the responsibility of the relevant technical committee.
Note 3: For first characteristic numeral 5, the application of this table to equipment containing drain
holes is the responsibility of the relevant technical committee.

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 Table-2: Degree of Protection Indicated by the Second Characteristic Numeral
Second
Characteristic Short Description Definition
Numeral
0 Non-protected No special protection
Dripping water (vertically falling
1 Protected against dripping water
drops) shall have no harmful effect
Vertically dripping water shall have
Protected against dripping water when tilted no harmful effect when the
2
up to 150 enclosure is tilted at any angle up to
150 from its normal position
Protected against spraying water at an angle Spraying water shall have no
3
up to 600 from vertical harmful effect
Protected against splashing water at any Splashing water shall have no
4
direction harmful effect
Water protected by a nozzle against
5 Protected against water jets the enclosure from any direction
shall have no harmful effect
Water from heavy seas or water
protected in powerful jets shall not
6 Protected against heavy seas
enter the enclosure in harmful
quantities
Ingress of water in a harmful
quantity shall not be possible when
7 Protected against the effect of immersion the enclosure is immersed in water
under defined conditions of pressure
and time
The equipment is suitable for
continuous submersion in water
under conditions which shall be
specified by the manufacturer
Note: Normally, this will mean that
8 Protected against submersion
the equipment is hermetically
sealed. However with certain types
of equipment it can mean that water
can enter but only in such a manner
that it produces no harmful effect.
Note: The short description given in column 2 of this table should not be used to specify the form of
protection. It should only be used as a brief description

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Material: Metal, except where otherwise specified
Linear dimensions in millimeters
Tolerances on dimensions without specific tolerance:
On angle : 0/ -100
On linear dimensions: Up to 25mm: 0/ -0.05
Over 25mm : ± 0.2
Both joints shall permit movement in the same plane and the same direction through an angle of 900 with a 0 to
+100 tolerance

Figure-1: Jointed Test Finger

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Note: See IEC 60068-2-68, Figure 2 is valid for La2 only

Figure-2: Test Device to Verify Protection against Dust (Dust Chamber)

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 Dimensions in millimeters

Figure-3: Test Device to Verify Protection against Vertically Falling Water Drops (Drip Box)

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 Dimensions in millimeters

Note: The range of holes is shown as for second characteristic numeral 3 (see 14.2.3a))

Figure-4: Test Device to Verify Protection against Spraying and Splashing Water, Second
Characteristic Numerals 3 and 4 (Oscillating Tube)

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 Dimensions in millimeters
121 holes of ø 0.5
1 hole at the centre
1 inner circle of 12 holes at 300 pitch
4 outer circles of 24 holes at 150 pitch
Moving shield - Aluminium
Spray Nozzle - Brass

Figure-5: Hand-held device to verify protection against spraying and splashing water;
Second characteristic numerals 3 and 4 (spray nozzle)

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 Dimensions in millimeters
D’ = 6.3 for the test of 14.2.5 (second characteristic numeral 5)
D’ = 12.5 for the test of 14.2.6 (second characteristic numeral 6)

Figure-6: Test Device to Verify Protection against Water Jets (Hose Nozzle)

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