The IP (Ingress Protection) rating of motors indicates their degree of protection against intrusion of solid objects and liquids. The IP rating is composed of two digits. The first digit represents protection against solid objects, while the second digit represents protection against liquids. Here’s what each digit signifies:
First Digit (Protection against Solid Objects):
- 0: No protection against contact or ingress of solid objects.
- 1: Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm (e.g., hands).
- 2: Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm (e.g., fingers).
- 3: Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm (e.g., tools and wires).
- 4: Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm (e.g., small tools and wires).
- 5: Limited protection against dust ingress, but not entirely dust-tight.
- 6: Complete protection against dust ingress.
Second Digit (Protection against Liquids):
- 0: No protection against water ingress.
- 1: Protection against vertically falling water droplets (condensation).
- 2: Protection against water droplets at an angle of up to 15 degrees from vertical.
- 3: Protection against spraying water at an angle of up to 60 degrees from vertical.
- 4: Protection against splashing water from any direction.
- 5: Protection against water jets (low-pressure jets).
- 6: Protection against powerful water jets and heavy seas.
- 7: Protection against temporary immersion in water (up to 1 meter depth for a specified time).
- 8: Protection against continuous immersion in water under specified conditions (depth and duration).
Examples:
- An IP54 rated motor offers protection against limited dust ingress (5) and splashing water from any direction (4).
- An IP65 rated motor provides protection against dust ingress (6) and low-pressure water jets (5).
- An IP68 rated motor is fully dust-tight (6) and can be continuously immersed in water under specified conditions (8).
When selecting a motor, it’s important to consider the environmental conditions in which it will operate and choose an IP rating appropriate for those conditions to ensure the motor’s longevity and reliable performance.
