IP rating is the abbreviation of Ingress Protection (protection level). It consists of two numbers and is used to indicate the protection level of the electrical equipment casing against the intrusion of foreign objects.

The first number indicates the protection level against solid foreign objects:

- 0: No protection. There is no special protection for people or objects outside.

- 1: Prevent the intrusion of solid foreign objects with a diameter greater than 50mm. It can prevent the human body (such as the palm) from accidentally contacting the internal parts of the electrical appliance.

- 2: Prevent the intrusion of solid foreign objects with a diameter greater than 12.5mm. It can prevent fingers from contacting the internal parts of the electrical appliance.

- 3: Prevent the intrusion of solid foreign objects with a diameter greater than 2.5mm. It can prevent the intrusion of small foreign objects with a diameter greater than 2.5mm such as tools and wires.

- 4: Prevent the intrusion of solid foreign objects with a diameter greater than 1.0mm. It can prevent wires or strips with a diameter or thickness greater than 1.0mm from touching the internal parts of the electrical appliance.

- 5: Completely prevent the intrusion of foreign objects. Although it cannot completely prevent the intrusion of dust, the amount of dust intrusion will not affect the normal operation of the electrical appliance.

- 6: Completely prevent the intrusion of foreign objects and dust.

The second number indicates the protection level against liquids:

- 0: No protection. There is no special protection against water or moisture.

- 1: Prevent the intrusion of water droplets. Vertically falling water droplets (such as condensed water) will not damage the electrical appliance.

- 2: When tilted at 15°, water droplets can still be prevented from intruding. When the electrical appliance is tilted from vertical to 15°, dripping water will not damage the electrical appliance.

- 3: Prevent the intrusion of sprayed water. Prevent rain or the entry of water sprayed in a direction with an angle less than 60° from the vertical into the electrical appliance and cause damage.

- 4: Prevent the intrusion of splashing water. Prevent water splashing from all directions from entering the electrical appliance and causing damage.

- 5: Prevent the intrusion of sprayed water. Prevent water sprayed from nozzles in all directions from entering the electrical appliance and causing damage.

- 6: Prevent the intrusion of large waves. Electrical appliances installed on the deck can prevent damage caused by the invasion of large waves.

- 7: Prevent the intrusion of water when immersed. When the electrical appliance is immersed in water for a certain period of time or the water pressure is below a certain standard, it can be ensured that there is no damage caused by immersion.

- 8: Prevent the intrusion of water when submerged. The electrical appliance is submerged indefinitely under a specified water pressure, and it can be ensured that there is no damage caused by submersion.

IP rating is very important when selecting and using electrical equipment. Different application scenarios require different protection levels to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the equipment. For example, electrical equipment used outdoors usually requires a higher IP rating to prevent the intrusion of rain, dust and other foreign objects.