White Paper schurter.com/downloads Dirt particles, moisture and other foreign matter have no place in electrical products. The IP degree of protection provides information on how well a product is protected in this respect. SCHURTER device plug combination element 5707: IP 54 Protection of the plug connection to the housing (frontside), additional IP 65 protection in the housing device (rearside). Very often, electrical devices have to work reliably and safely for years under adverse conditions. For example in food processing, medical technology or similar industries. Dirt, bacteria, dust and moisture can rarely be kept away. So you have to start at a different point. It is important to prevent dirt or moisture from penetrating into the housing while at the same time providing the best possible protection for persons operating the equipment. The degree of protection against ingress of dirt and moisture is indicated by the so-called IP degree of protection. This IP degree of protection according to IEC/ EN 60529 specifies the extent to which an electrical component or device can be exposed to adverse environmental influences without being damaged or presenting a safety risk to persons. IP degree of protection The abbreviation IP stands for "International Protection". In the English language area, however, it is preferably translated with "Ingress Protection". The IP degree of protection must be clearly distinguished from the electrical protection class. The IP degrees of protection define the degree of protection of the housing against contact, foreign bodies and water. In contrast, the electrical protection classes describe measures to prevent hazardous voltages on parts of equipment which are not live during operation. The IP protection class - sometimes also called IP code - usually consists of two digits. The first digit stands for protection against the ingress of foreign bodies or in case of contact. The second digit indicates the protection against water. For example: IP 65, the first digit 6 means "dust-tight", the second digit 5 means protection against "strong water jets". The higher these two digits, the higher the protection of the component. Details on the structure and nomenclature of the IP protection rating can be found here [1].

Plugged in vs. unplugged state: waterproof IEC connector SCHURTER Type 4761 and Type 4762 with IP 67 or IP 69K Differentiation IP protection front/rear side In some cases, it makes sense to differentiate between front and rear IP protection. The protection against the ingress of foreign matter from the outside to the inside of the device is meant in the case of the front side. For example, in the case of a switch or a device connector [2]. It is therefore a question of sealing the component against the housing and sealing of movable elements, which are accessible from the outside. The IP protection...