The IP rating or Ingress Protection rating classifies the level of protection that electrical appliances provide against the intrusion of solid objects (including dust) and liquids. It is defined in international standard IEC 60529

The IP rating of an electrical appliance is identified by a code that consists of the letters "IP" followed by two digits:

1. The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against solid objects.

PROTECTION AGAINST THE PENETRATION OF SOLID BODIES 1ST DIGIT
Protected against solid objects greater than 2" (50 mm) 1
Protected against solid objects greater than 0.5" (12 Mm)(ex. fingers) 2
Protected against solid objects greater than 0.1" (2.5 mm)(ex. tools, thick wires, etc.) 3
Protected against objects greater than 0.04" (1 Mm)(ex. most wires, screws, etc.) 4
Dust protected - ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but must not interfere with the normal operation of the equipment 5
Dust tight 6

 

2. The second digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against ingress of liquids.

PROTECTION AGAINST THE INGRESS OF WATER 2ND DIGIT
Protected against dripping water (vertically falling drops) 1
Protected against vertically dripping water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position 2
Protected against spraying water at an angle up to 60° from the vertical 3
Protected against water jets projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction 4
Protected against water jets projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction 5
Protected against heavy seas or water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction 6
Protected against the effects of immersion in water up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) and accidental immersion 7
Protected against the effects of immersion in water beyond 3.3 feet (1 meter) 8

 

The majority of the Schréder luminaires have an IP66 rated optical compartment, meaning they are:

  • dust tight
  • protected against heavy seas or water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction. Specific products may have higher IP ratings.