The IP56 Enclosure Rating For Outdoor Gear

IP 5-6 is just a rating for enclosures which are susceptible to many different climate. This can be a standard produced by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and is just a global standard. In-the U.S., the National Electrical Manufacturers ASsociation (NEMA) sets similar standards.IEC Ingress Protection StandardsThe IEC includes a published standard 60529, which defines Ingress Protection employing a two digit code. This standard has all the information about screening and applications.The first digit indicates the protection against access to hazardous pieces and whether solid things can get to the encolosure. In other words, how difficult is it to stay your finger in there and trigger some trouble.The second digit shows the total amount of safety against water.Here are the designations for the first digit - Hazardous Parts:0 - Non-protected1 - Protected against access with the trunk of-the hand (50mm size object )2 - Protected against access with jointed finger (12 mm x 80 mm )3 - Protected against acess with an instrument (2.5 mm )4, 5, 6 - Protected against access with a cable (1.0 mm )Here are the designations for the first digit - Solid Foreign Objects:0 - Non-protected1 - Objects greater than 50mm2 - Objects greater than 12.5 mm3 - Objects greater than 2.54 - Objects greater than or equal to 1mm5 - Dust protected6 - Dust tightProtection status for the second digit - Ingress of Liquids0 - Non-protected1 - Water dripping vertically2 - Water dripping, enclosure moved up-to 15d3 - Spraying water, upt to 60d direction from vertical4 - Splashing water, any direction5 - Jetting water, any direction6 - Powerful jetting water, any direction7 - Temporary immersion in water8 - Continuous immersion in waterYou can easily see that an IP56 scored enclosure is protected against dirt (and other little particles) and is water tight against jetting water from any direction jack wolfskin kiel.