Types of protection

Protection against dust, solid materials and water

Luminaires must belong to a particular protection class against moisture and dust to which they are exposed. The lowest protection class is "covered"; in other words, the luminaires have no protection against moisture or dust but are covered in such a way that it is impossible to touch electric parts without using a tool.

Luminaires without any indication ofa protection class are classified IP 20. The following table gives an overwiew of the protection classes, their definitions and their symbols:

IP TYPES OF PROTECTION TO DIN 60529
Protection against foreign bodies in addition to shock-hazard protection
1st digit		 Protection against foreign bodies in addition to shock-hazard protection
2nd digit
Digit Symbol Description
2 - Protection against ingress of solid foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 12 mm
4 - Protection against ingress of solid foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 1 mm
5 Symbol 5 Protection against harmful dust deposits. The ingress of dust is not completely prevented but the dust must not enter in such large amounts that the operation of the luminaire is impaired.
6 Symbol 6 Protection against the ingress of dust; dust-tight
IP TYPES OF PROTECTION TO DIN 60529
Digit Symbol Description
0 - No special protection
3 Symbol 3 Protection against water falling at any angle up to 60 degrees
4 Symbol 4 Protection against water sprayed at any angle at the luminaire
5 Symbol 5 Protection against a jet of water from a nozzle directed at the luminaire at any angle
7 Symbol 7 Protection against water if the luminaire is submerged in water under defined time and pressure conditions
8 Symbol 8 The luminaire is suitable for permanent submerging in water under conditions defined by the manufacturer