IP ratings are an internationally approved numerical system used for specifying the protection level of an enclosure or housing, against the ingress of solid objects & liquid. The first digit represents the degree of protection against dust, the second, moisture.
| Dust | 0 | No Protection | Moisture | 0 | No Protection | |
| Dust | 1 | Protected against solid objects Greater than 50mm. E.g. Hand. | Moisture | 1 | Dripping water shall have no harmful effect. | |
| Dust | 2 | Protected against solid objects Greater than 12mm. E.g. fingers. | Moisture | 2 | Protected against dripping water when enclosure is tilted 15 degrees. | |
| Dust | 3 | Protected against solid objects Greater than 2.5mm. E.g. tools. | Moisture | 3 | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees. | |
| Dust | 4 | Protected against solid objects Greater than 1mm. E.g. wires. | Moisture | 4 | Water splashed from any direction shall have no harmful effect. | |
| Dust | 5 | Ingress of dust is not totally protected but does no enter in sufficient quantities to harm equipment. | Moisture | 5 | Water hosed against the enclosure shall have no harmful effect. (Water jets) | |
| Dust | 6 | No ingress of dust. | Moisture | 6 | Water from powerful jets or heavy seas shall have no harmful effect. |