What are IP20-Rated Materials? Indoor Protection Explained

The term “IP20” doesn’t specifically refer to a type of material, but rather to a classification that describes the level of protection offered by an enclosure, usually for electrical or electronic equipment. The IP (Ingress Protection) rating system is a standard defined in the international standard IEC 60529. It specifies the degree to which an enclosure protects against the intrusion of foreign objects, dust, accidental contact, and water.

The rating “IP20” can be broken down as follows:

• IP: Ingress Protection
• 2: Protected against solid objects greater than 12.5mm (e.g., fingers)
• 0: Not protected against water ingress

In other words, an IP20-rated enclosure would provide some basic protection against larger objects like fingers but would not provide any protection against water ingress. This means that such enclosures are generally suitable for indoor environments where water exposure is not a concern.

It’s worth noting that the material used to construct an IP20-rated enclosure could vary widely, from metals like steel and aluminium to plastics and other composites. The key is not the material itself, but how the enclosure is designed and built to meet the IP20 criteria.

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating system is quite extensive and is used to specify the degree of protection an enclosure offers against external factors like solids and liquids. The rating typically consists of the letters “IP” followed by two digits.

Here’s a breakdown of what those digits represent:

First Digit: Protection against Solid Objects or Materials

• 0: No protection.
• 1: Protected against solid objects over 50 mm (e.g., hands).
• 2: Protected against solid objects over 12.5 mm (e.g., fingers).
• 3: Protected against solid objects over 2.5 mm (e.g., tools).
• 4: Protected against solid objects over 1.0 mm (e.g., wires).
• 5: Dust-protected; limited ingress of dust permitted (no harmful deposit).
• 6: Dust-tight; no ingress of dust.

Second Digit: Protection against Liquids

• 0: No protection.
• 1: Protected against vertically falling drops of water (e.g., condensation).
• 2: Protected against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15 degrees.
• 3: Protected against spraying water when tilted up to 60 degrees.
• 4: Protected against splashing water from any direction.
• 5: Protected against low-pressure jets of water from any direction.
• 6: Protected against high-pressure jets of water from any direction.
• 7: Protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
• 8: Protected against prolonged immersion in water under more severe conditions (specified by the manufacturer, often deeper than 1 meter).
• 9K: Protected against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, and steam cleaning (specific to road vehicles).

Examples

Here are some common combinations of IP20 ratings along with example products or materials for each:

1. IP00: No protection against solids or liquids.
   Example: Open electrical components in a controlled environment.
2. IP10: Protected against solid objects over 50 mm, no liquid protection.
   Example: Large ventilation grilles.
3. IP20: Protected against solid objects over 12.5 mm, no liquid protection.
   Example: Home appliances like toasters or desktop computers.
4. IP30: Protected against solid objects over 2.5 mm, no liquid protection.
   Example: Tools with non-conductive handles.
5. IP40: Protected against solid objects over 1.0 mm, no liquid protection.
   Example: Most wired telephones or indoor lighting fixtures.
6. IP50: Dust-protected, no liquid protection.
   Example: Control cabinets for indoor industrial use.
7. IP60: Dust-tight, no liquid protection.
   Example: Dust-sensitive laboratory equipment.
8. IP01: No solid protection, protected against vertically falling water drops.
   Example: Basic indoor ceiling fixtures.
9. IP11: Protected against objects over 50 mm and vertically falling water drops.
   Example: Simple outdoor lighting fixtures.
10. IP21: Protected against objects over 12.5 mm and vertically falling water drops.
    Example: Some home appliances like washing machines.
11. IP31: Protected against objects over 2.5 mm and vertically falling water drops.
    Example: Some power tools for light outdoor use.
12. IP41: Protected against objects over 1.0 mm and vertically falling water drops.
    Example: Indoor security cameras.
13. IP51: Dust-protected and protected against vertically falling water drops.
    Example: Partially enclosed outdoor electrical panels.
14. IP61: Dust-tight and protected against vertically falling water drops.
    Example: Precision instruments with minimal water exposure.
15. IP02 to IP62: Similar to IP01 to IP61, but with protection against water drops up to 15° tilt.
    Examples range from basic outdoor equipment to more specialized instruments.
16. IP03 to IP63: Protection against spraying water up to 60°.
    Examples include outdoor electrical sockets and weather-resistant cameras.
17. IP04 to IP64: Protection against splashing water from any direction.
    Examples include outdoor lighting and some smartphones.
18. IP05 to IP65: Protection against low-pressure water jets.
    Examples include garden hoses and outdoor security systems.
19. IP06 to IP66: Protection against high-pressure water jets.
    Examples include marine equipment and industrial washdown areas.
20. IP07 to IP67: Protection against water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
    Examples include waterproof watches and some rugged smartphones.
21. IP08 to IP68: Protection against prolonged water immersion beyond 1 meter.
    Examples include deep-water cameras and submarine equipment.
22. IP09K to IP69K: Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets.
    Examples include equipment for food processing plants and car wash systems.

Note that some combinations (like IP09 to IP69) are not typically used, as it’s unusual to have extreme water protection without corresponding solid protection.

Note that some IP ratings may also include additional letters to indicate other forms of protection, such as resistance to mechanical impacts, but the basic IP ratings focus on solids and liquids.