IP Rating

An IP Rating (or IP code) is a rating system for security camera enclosures (not the camera)
created by the International Electrotechnical Commissions (IEC) international standard 60529.
Security camera manufacturers can voluntary submit to have their cameras tested by the
standard. Because it is a voluntary system, some surveillance cameras can be actually
be weatherproof without having obtained an IP rating.
Understanding the IP rating system
An IP rating can be a bit difficult to read, and is usually represented by two digits and may contain
an additional letter. The numbers represent how difficult it is for solids and liquid to enter the
security camera enclosure and the optional letter at the end represents how tamper-proof the
enclosure is. The most consistent use of the IP rating system is to help customers determine if
the camera will be able to withstand rain, wind, snow, and condensation, and if it is safe to use
the camera outside. The two most common IP ratings are IP66, IP67 and IP68, so as we talk
about what each digit means, we will be using these two designations as our examples.
The first digit of the IP rating
The first digit represents of the IP rating represents the level of protection provided by the
cameras enclosure against solid objects foreign to the camera and against access to hazardous
parts. Higher numbers relate to more protection, and here are the criteria:
0. No protection
1. Protection against object 50 mm or larger
2. Protection against object 12.5 mm or larger
3. Protection against object 2.5 mm or larger
4. Protection against object 1 mm or larger
5. Some dust protection
6. Full protection from dust
So, referring back to our IP66, IP67 and IP68 examples, all three of these cameras offer full
protection from dust.
The second digit of the IP rating
The second digit represents the level of protection against liquids, most notably water. The
second digit can range from 0 to 8, with 0 meaning no protection at all and 8 indicating immersion
possible over 1 meter in depth.
0. No protection
1. safe from vertically dripping water
2. safe from vertically dripping water and dripping water when tilted up to 15 degrees
3. safe from spraying water at an angle of up to 60 degrees
4. safe from splashing water from any direction
5. safe from water projected from a nozzle
6. safe from powerful water jets
7. safe for immersion up to 1 meter*
8. safe for immersion beyond 1 meter*
*Exact length of time and the exact amount of depth of pressure for which submerged cameras
can continue to operate is not measured by the IP rating.
Again, referring back to our IP66, IP67 and IP68 examples, you can see that the IP66 camera is
safe from powerful water jets, the IP67 camera is waterproof up to a depth of 1 meter, while
the IP68 camera is waterproof for a depth greater than 1 meter.
Understanding the third digit of an IP rating
The third digit of an IP rating is optional and represents how tamper-proof the security camera is.
Not all cameras that qualify for a solid and liquid rating also qualify for a protect rating
represented by the third digit. If there is no additional protection, the additional letter is simply
dropped from the rating. So, unlike the first two digits that will have a zero, should they not meet
the solid or liquid standards, if no additional protection is offered by the camera the letter will
simply be missing.
If the third digit includes one of these letters, it means that the camera
include protection from Intrusions:
A. back of hand
B. finger (and lower)
C. tool (and lower)
D. wire (and lower)
The following letters may be used to indicate the additional protection to the camera:
H. high voltage device
M. device moving during water test
S. device standing still during water test
W. weather conditions
You may also be interested in seeing cameras with a IP rating of IP66, cameras with a IP rating
of IP67, cameras with a IP rating of IP68.
IP66
IP66 refers to camera enclosures that have obtained the a rating from the International
Electrotechnical Commissions (IEC) international standard 60529 rating board that declares the
cameras to be:
Offering full protection from dust and solid matter larger than dust
Safe from powerful water jets
IP67
IP67 refers to camera enclosures that have obtained the a rating from the International
Electrotechnical Commissions (IEC) international standard 60529 rating board that declares the
cameras to be:
Offering full protection from dust and solid matter larger than dust
Safe for immersion in water up to 1 meter
IP68
IP68 refers to camera enclosures that have obtained the a rating from the International
Electrotechnical Commissions (IEC) international standard 60529 rating board that declares the
cameras to be:
Offering full protection from dust and solid matter larger than dust
Safe for immersion in water at depths greater than 1 meter