Understanding Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings 

Unsure of what level of protection your equipment needs in an indoor plantroom vs outdoor plantroom? What do IP ratings actually refer to? This article provides a simple guide to solids and water protection rating for mechanical equipment. 

How to read IP Ratings

IP 56

5 – First digit
6 – Second digit

First digit = protection against solids (dust, tools, fingers, wires).
Second digit = protection against water (drips, sprays, immersion).

Example: IP56 = Dust protected + Water jets
– Suitable for indoor and outdoor plantrooms.

Ingress protection (IP) Rating Chart

For most indoor plantrooms, IP55-rated equipment is generally suitable as it provides protection against dust and water jets commonly found in controlled environments. For outdoor plantrooms exposed to weather and harsher conditions, IP56 is typically recommended due to its higher level of water protection. IP66-rated equipment is usually only required in extreme environments such as mining sites or high-dust industrial areas where equipment is exposed to heavy dust ingress.

Need help selecting the right IP-rated equipment for your application? Contact Masterflow Solutions today.