The IP56 Enclosure Ranking For Outside Gear

Internet Protocol Address 5-6 is just a rating for enclosures which can be subject to a variety of weather conditions. This is a standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and is really a worldwide standard. In-the U.S., the National Electrical Manufacturers ASsociation (NEMA) sets similar standards.IEC Ingress Protection StandardsThe IEC features a published standard 60529, which specifies Ingress Protection utilizing a two digit code outdoor neumuenster. This standard has all the information about screening and applications.The first digit indicates the defense against use of harmful parts and whether solid objects might get in to the encolosure. In other words, how hard is it to stay your finger within and cause some trouble.The second digit indicates the total amount of protection against water.Here are the designations for the first digit - Hazardous Parts:0 - Non-protected1 - Protected against access with the back of the hand (50mm size item )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 cord (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 o-r equal to 1mm5 - Dust protected6 - Dust tightProtection situation for the second digit - Ingress of Liquids0 - Non-protected1 - Water dripping vertically2 - Water dripping, enclosure tilted 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 an IP56 rated enclosure is protected against dirt (and other small particles) and is water tight against jetting water from any direction.