The protection class indicates the suitability of electrical equipment for different environmental conditions and the protection afforded to persons against potential hazards arising from the use of such equipment.
- Degree of protection against foreign objects (1st digit)
- Degree of protection against water (2nd digit)
| Code number | Brief description | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not protected | - |
| l | Protection against solid objects of 50 mm or greater in diameter | The access probe, a sphere of 50 mm in diameter, shall not fully penetrate the enclosure. |
| 2 | Protection against solid objects of 12.5 mm or greater in diameter | The access probe, a sphere of 12.5 mm in diameter, shall not fully penetrate the enclosure. |
| 3 | Protection against solid objects of 2.5 mm or greater in diameter | The access probe, a sphere of 2.5 mm in diameter, shall not penetrate the enclosure at all. |
| 4 | Protection against solid objects of 1.0 mm or greater in diameter | The access probe, a sphere of 1 mm in diameter, shall not penetrate the enclosure at all. |
| 5 | Protected against dust | The ingress of dust is not completely prevented. The quantity of dust that enters must not impair the safety or satisfactory operation of the equipment. |
| 6 | Dustproof | No ingress of dust |