In general, an IP rating will consist of two digits, occasionally followed by a letter denoting specific materials, hazards or testing scenarios. The most common way you’ll see such a rating given will be in the format ‘IP43’, ‘IP67’, or similar. Intrusion’ in the context of an IP rating has a threefold definition: IP codes signify the level of protection to users (hands, fingers etc) from mechanical or electrical parts; the degree of protection an enclosure offers those key components against dust, dirt and other damaging foreign bodies; and its overall resistance to moisture. The rating ‘IP20’ stands for ‘Ingress Protection Two Zero’ – but what does this actually mean? To put it simply, the 2 means that the product has the second level rating for ingress by solid objects, while the 0 means that it has no protection against ingress by moisture or liquids. Protection against full immersion for up to 30 minutes at depths between 15cm and 1 metre (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects) To be specific, an IP20 protection rating indicates that something is resistant to ingress by objects over 12.5mm in length, but offers no water protection whatsoever. It is common to use IP20 fittings for indoor lighting in living rooms and dining rooms, where there is little risk of ingress, but they should not be used for bathrooms because they are not water resistant and may not remain secure against even limited ingress by low-pressure water jets, let alone spray or airborne moisture. They are also unsuitable for outdoor lighting because of the risk of ingress by dirt, organisms and rain.

Scottish Highlands, areas which we class as zone 1 are post codes: AB30-38, AB44-56, FK17-99, G83, IV1-28, IV30-32, IV33-39, IV52-54, IV63, KW1-14, PA21-33, PA34-40, PH18-26, PH30, PH31-41, PH49-50 Scottish Islands:HS1-9, IV40-51, IV55-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA20, PA30, PA32-34, PA41-49, PA60-78, PH42-44, ZE1-3 There are numerous types of IP-rated products available on the market. The standardisation of these codes is what enables customers and users to gain a clear understanding of each product’s abilities and limitations in different scenarios. There’s a vast range of different IP-rated enclosure types available across all sectors and industries, including a great many options for all manner of electronics and mechanical systems aimed at both home and industrial settings. Power supply cases generally need to be constructed from robust materials designed to safely and securely house high-voltage components such as transformers, PSUs and other key electrical items. Sizing and configuration will depend entirely on what the individual unit is intended to hold and protect.

or X - see section below): Not rated (or no rating supplied) for protection against ingress of this type Instrument cases are usually available in both heavy-duty and more lightweight configurations, depending on the level of protection and portability required. They can be used for anything from outdoor LED power supply casings to industrial camera housings, desktop electronics and measuring/control equipment. IP rated power supply cases The following are general industry rules of thumb for outdoor lighting, but it’s always wise to seek manufacturer or supplier advice for your specific application scenario before installation:

Handheld enclosures are usually designed to mount digital or analogue LCD display modules behind an acrylic window and are typically constructed from sturdy but lightweight aluminium for portability. They often contain battery compartments with easily removable lids. As we’ll see further on in this guide, each of the digits in an IP rating reveals detailed information about the exact level of protection/resistance the item in question can be expected to deliver. What does an IP rating measure?The second digit in an IP rating will be a number between 0-9, denoting the quality of resistance to moisture ingress at varying intensities, angles, depths and pressures of exposure or immersion. A ‘waterproof’ or ‘weatherproof’ IP rating is one of the most frequent examples people look for in a wide range of everyday products, from mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers to kitchen and bathroom fixtures, lighting setups, CCTV enclosures and more.

An IP rating is shorthand for an Ingress Protection mark, sometimes referred to synonymously as an International (or Internal) Protection mark. An IP rating is usually a two-digit grading system that’s applied to the enclosure of a mechanical or electrical item, giving customers a clear indication of the item’s resistance to various types of unwanted intrusion. Protection against splashing water from any direction, tested for a minimum of 10 minutes with an oscillating spray (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects) IPX3 will protect against continuous spray at up to a 60° angle, which is generally considered sufficient in partially enclosed or covered areas. Handheld enclosures are protective cases for controllers and electronic instruments, widely used for both simple mobile controls and more heavy-duty electronic devices including volt-meters, digital thermometers and flow readers.The first digit will be a number between 0-6, and indicates the degree of protection from ingress of solid objects (the user themselves, and other potentially harmful particulates such as dust or dirt). This isn’t always the case since most rainwater - even in windy conditions - tends to fall relatively close to vertical, and under very low pressure. An IPX2 rating should protect against dripping water equivalent to 3 mm rainfall per minute at angles up to 15°, while IPX3 indicates resistance to continuous spray at up to 60° from vertical. Zone 2 indicates a 60cm radius around any bath or shower enclosure, and here a splash-proof rating of IP44 is the minimum requirement. (This is also commonly extended to areas around sinks, where the 0.6m measurement is usually taken from the taps themselves.) As IP20 is at the lower end of the scale, it’s designed for less challenging environments, while IP65 is at the higher end of the scale, and can therefore be used in a wider range of applications.