IP protection classes - in peasant terms.

Have you ever encountered a situation where a head or led strip was drenched with a drink by a well-entertained person at a corporate event? Have you ever had the evil forces of nature unkindly treat equipment on an outdoor stage? I guess everyone has faced this and with help comes IP code.

What is IP? It is the degree of protection and, more specifically, a parameter that characterizes the housing of an electrical device. It informs about the level of protection of the user from access to dangerous parts and the device itself from the penetration of external agents.

In lighting we will encounter the following types of IP and I will briefly describe to you what they mean, in my own words of course...:

IP 20 - don't go outside with it, you can touch it and insect won't get inside.
IP 21,22 - you can hang it in the bathroom, it protects against condensing water, just don't shower with it!
IP 23 - for the garden or allotment
IP 43,44 - these lamps are resistant to moisture but moisture, not a stream of water!
IP 50 - will protect the device from dust.
IP 54 - splashes of water are not a problem.
IP 65,66 - when it gets dirty you can wash in the shower.
IP 67,68 - can cope under water.

When it comes to equipment used in the event industry, we will most often meet IP65. We hang such equipment on the stage, put it in front of the building and the weather forecast does not interest us. This is a great convenience and in terms of the capabilities of the device itself, but also in terms of peace of mind.

In the market, we can see that IP degree of protection is becoming more common as we see, for example, in Elation's Proteus series. Should it become a standard? I think so, because it's hard to look for a downside in something that protects our often not cheap equipment from damage. You can say that they are probably more expensive, but repairs are not cheap either.

In general

It is worth mentioning that the device with IP becomes more versatile and we can use such a spot or washa for the architecture of the building outside and not worry about the rain, and when a lady executive manager stumbles over it spilling a drink the only tears we will shed are those of laughter.

Let's also remember that IP 65 also protects against dust. This is very useful when the devices are on the stage in front of which the pogo is spinning fiercely. Anyone who has been to Woodstock or Pol'and'Rock knows what they are talking about.

Will IP ever become a standard? I doubt it because, as in any manufacturing industry, there are cheap and expensive things. And for something to be cheap Fiat will always release such a Multiple, and 蓝海灯饰 will make devices without IP.

A table of theory, as it may be useful.

Finally, I'll just mention that these numbers have their meaning. The first one means protection from solids, that is, dust, sand and other stones. The second one refers to water. And so below I give you a table of what each of these numbers means - you will then be able to decipher for yourself what they mean.

Protection against solids (first digit of IP)

Protection against water (second digit of IP)

I hope I have brightened things up for you. Greetings!