The IP (Ingress Protection) rating system is an international standard used to define the degree of protection an object has against solids and moisture. An IP rating consists of two numbers. The first represents the level of protection against solids. The second number represents the level of protection against liquids. The higher the number, the more protected the object. If you see the letter “K” following an IP code, it means the object was tested against pressure washing. IP ratings are important because they tell us about a product’s durability, and in what capacity it can be used. The IP rating system can be applied to infinite products in nearly every industry, including:
- Industrial
- Medical
- Air and Space
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Electronics
- Military
- Oil and Gas
- Shipping
- Mining
Generally, higher IP ratings are found in industrial, manufacturing, marine and military settings because of the inherently harsh environments associated with these industries. Check out the chart above for a more comprehensive look at IP65-69K definitions and at how IP65-69K ratings are used in various industries, applications and products.