IP Ratings and Protection Classes

1st digit	Protection against ingress of foreign objects	Protection against contact/application
0	Equipment provides no protection against ingress of solid, foreign objects	No particular personal protection against accidental contact with live and/or moving parts. In enclosures with no access.
1	Protection against ingress of solid, foreign objects in a diameter > 50 mm.	Protection against accidental contact by large surfaces of the body (back of the hand) with live and/or moving parts. Closed areas only accessible to authorised and trained personnel.
2	Protection against ingress of solid, foreign objects in a diameter > 12.5 mm	Protection against finger contact with live and/or internal moving parts. Specific accessible areas
3	Protection against ingress of solid, foreign objects in a diameter > 2.5 mm.	Protection against contact between live and/or internal moving parts and tools, wires or similar objects in a thickness of > 2.5 mm. Generally accessible parts.
4	Protection against ingress of solid, foreign objects in a diameter > 1 mm.	Protection against contact between live and/or internal moving parts and tools, wires or similar objects in a thickness of > 1 mm. Generally accessible parts.
5	Protection against harmful, internal dust deposits. Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented. The quantity of dust entering must not interfere with operation (dust-protected).	Complete protection against contact with live and/or internal moving parts. Areas exposed to short-term high dust deposits.
6	Protection against ingress of dust (dust-tight).	Complete protection against contact with live and/or internal moving parts. Generally accessible areas

2nd digit	Protection against ingress of water	Application
0	No particular protection	In dry areas.
1	Protection against vertically falling drops of water (protection against dripping water). Shall have no harmful effect.	In areas exposed to moisture with component in pre-defined vertical position (e.g. condensation water).
2	Protection against vertically falling drops of water (protection against dripping water). Dripping water falling at an angle shall have no harmful effect on equipment (enclosure) tilted at an angle of up to 15° from its normal position.	In areas exposed to moisture with component not positioned exactly vertically (e.g. condensation water).
3	Protection against water falling at any angle up to 60° from the vertical. Shall have no harmful effect (protection against spraying water).	Areas exposed to rain and not splashing water.
4	Protection against water splashing against equipment (enclosure) from any direction. Shall have no harmful effect (protection against spraying water).	Areas exposed to rain and splashing water (e.g. areas exposed to passing vehicles).
5	Protection against water projected by a nozzle against equipment (enclosure) from any direction. Shall have no harmful effect (protection against water jets).	Areas exposed to moderately powerful water jets.
6	Protection against heavy sea or powerful jets of water. Water in harmful quantities must not enter the equipment (enclosure) (protection against floodwater).	Areas exposed to heavy wash and floodwater (e.g. jetties).
7	Protection against water when equipment (housing) is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time. Water must not enter in harmful quantities (immersion).	Areas washed over temporarily or covered with snow for a prolonged period.
8	Equipment (housing) is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer (submersion). However, the conditions must not be any more severe than those for digit 7.	In submerged function.

	Safety class I In the case of lights provided with class I protection, the protection aim is achieved by insulating live parts and connecting contactable metal parts to the protective-earth conductor. The protective-earth conductor connection terminal is marked .
	Safety class II In the case of lights provided with class II protection, electrical safety is ensured by means of double insulation.
	Safety class III In the case of light provided with class III protection, protection is based on safety extra-low voltage (SELV).

	VDE label For electrotechnical products, including products within the meaning of the German Act on Equipment and Product Safety (GPSG) and medical products within the meaning of the German Medical Products Act (MPG). The VDE label indicates conformity to VDE provisions or European or internationally harmonised standards and provides confirmation that the protection requirements of the pertinent guidelines are met. The VDE label shows that the product is safe in terms of electrical, mechanical, thermal, toxic, radiological and other risk.
	VDE-GS-label For technical work equipment and ready-to-use items of daily use within the meaning of the GPSG (optionally instead of VDE label for these products). If products are technical work equipment or ready-to-use items of daily use within the meaning of the German Act on Equipment and Product Safety, you can also use the VDE-GS label.
	VDE-EMC label For equipment conforming to the standards on electromagnetic compatibility. The VDE-EMC label expresses a product's conformity with the applicable standards on the electromagnetic compatibility of products. However, this mark also signalises the reliable operation of your product in an electromagnetic environment. As the requirements on issuing the label automatically and unreservedly cover satisfaction of the relevant standards.
	ENEC label from VDE For products meeting harmonised certification procedures. The European standards specified in the ENEC Agreement provide the basis for testing. Products (these currently being lights, light components, low-energy bulbs, IT equipment, transformers, appliance switches, electrical regulators and control devices, terminals, appliance couplers, some types of capacitor and radio interference suppression components) tested on this basis are allowed to carry VDE's ENEC label. Approval from another body involved in the European certification procedure is not necessary.
	VDE cable marking VDE cable marking applies to cables, leads and wiring conduits and trunkings.
	CE label The manufacturer documents and declares in its sole responsibility that the product marked satisfies the basic requirements of EU directives. This label is not a mark of tested safety and quality but is directed towards the authority supervising the market.
	F label Information showing that lights may be mounted on normally flammable surfaces.