IP protective types and protection classes

IP (ingress protection) protective types specify what outer impacts plugs and receptacles are protected against.
Protective classes describe the security measures in place that protect against hazardous voltages, electrocution, and other electrical accidents.

IP - Protection types

CEE plugs and sockets always need to operate reliably. Therefore they are subject to certain protective types. IP (ingress protection) types specify the degree of protection. Every IP protective type consists of two numbers. They indicate how well the inside of the device is protected aginst penetration through the device enclosure. The first number indicates the protections against touching, debris and dust. The second number indicates the protection against water. Every combination of numbers is defined by the European standard DIN EN/IEC 60529.

Receptacles and connectors have to conform to the protective type when connected and disconnected. Plugs and inlets have to be protected according to the protective type when they are connected to their counterpart (connector or receptacle).

All CEE plugs and sockets have to conform to IP 44 or IP 67, CEE plugs and sockets with a rated current of 100/125 A always need IP 67 protection. Where receptacles with a rated current of 100/125 A are integrated into an enclosure, the entire structure needs to have IP 44 protection.

Ordinary SCHUKO® receptacles in accordance with DIN VDE 0620 and DIN 49440 ff. can only conform to IP 44 protection when the hinged lid is fully closed, because their structural shape makes it impossible to avoid ingress of water at the protective conductor.

A label on our plugs and receptacles indicates the respective protective type.

This chart shows an overview of all IP protective types in accordance with DIN EN/IEC 60529 (for information about protective classes see further below):

IP protection types for enclosures in accordance with IEC 60529, EN 60529, IEC 60529 (VDE 0470 part 1)

1st number of the code:

IEC 60529	Enclosure protected against ingress of:	Protection against contact with:
0	no protection	no protection
1	Solid body larger than 50 mm	Back of hand
2	Solid body larger than 12.5 mm	Finger
3	Solid body larger than 2.5 mm	Tool
4	Solid body larger than 1 mm	Wire
5	Dust in harmful quantities	Wire
6	Dust overall	Wire

2nd number of the code:

IEC 60529	Enclosure protected against ingress of:
0	no protection
1	Drop of water falling vertically
2	Drop of water falling vertically on enclosure inclined by up to 15°
3	Water spray
4	Splash water
5	Water jet
6	Strong water jet
7	Temporary immersion
8	Continuous immersion
9	Water at high pressure and steam cleaning

IP - Protection classes

Protection classes describe the safety measures that protect against dangerous voltages/electrical shock and thus against an electrical accident. There are four protection classes: 0, 1, 2 and 3.

The protection classes for all electrical equipment are defined in the standards DIN EN/IEC 61140 or VDE 0140-1. The symbols to be used for marking the equipment are defined in the standard DIN EN/IEC 60417.

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