IP Ratings
IP stands for "Ingress Protection." The current format for expressing an IP rating is a 2-digit code. The first digit of an IP rating represents protection from solid objects. The second digit of an IP rating represents protection from water or moisture. The table below provides a chart of IP ratings and the corresponding definitions of the rating.
Note
IP ratings only apply to the "ENCLOSURE." A loudspeaker is considered an enclosure and as such we can apply an IP rating to it. Rigging hardware is not an enclosure and therefore IP ratings do not apply. Also, cable and cable-mount connectors used to connect to the loudspeaker are NOT part of the enclosure and therefore not part of the IP rating. Only the chassis-mounted part of the connector is considered part of the enclosure.
First Digit (Protection against solid objects) | Definition | Second Digit (Protection against liquids) | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
X | Characteristic numeral is not required to be specified. | X | Characteristic numeral is not required to be specified. |
0 | No protection | 0 | No protection |
1 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm. | 1 | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. |
2 | Protected against solid objects over 12 mm. | 2 | Protected against direct sprays up to 15° from the vertical. |
3 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm. | 3 | Protected against direct sprays up to 60° from the vertical |
4 | Protected against solid objects over 1 mm. | 4 | Protected against direct sprays from all directions. Limited ingress permitted |
5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress permitted. | 5 | Protected against low-pressure jets of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted. |
6 | Totally protected against dust. | 6 | Protected against strong jets of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted. |
7 | Protected against the effect of temporary immersion between 15cm and 1m. | ||
8 | Protected against the effect of long-term submersion of 1m or more. |