| 1st Digit | Description | Definition |
| 0 | Non-protected | No special protection |
| 1 | Protected against solid objects greater than 50 mm | A large surface of the body such as the hand (no protection against deliberate access). Solid objects exceeding 50mm diameter |
| 2 | Protected against solid objects greater than 12 mm | Fingers or other objects not exceeding 80 mm in length. Solid objects exceeding 12 mm diameter |
| 3 | Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5 mm | Tools, wires, etc of diameter or thickness greater than 2.5 mm. Solid objects exceeding 2.5 mm diameter. |
| 4 | Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0 mm | Wires or strips of thickness greater than 1.0 mm. Solid objects exceeding 1.0 mm |
| 5 | Dust protected | Ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the equipment |
| 6 | Dust-tight | No ingress of dust |
Protection against liquids
|
| 2nd Digit | Description | Definition |
| 0 | Non-protected | No special protection |
| 1 | Protected against dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) |
| 2 | Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15º | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15º from its normal position |
| 3 | Protected against spraying water | Water falling as spray at an angle up to 60º from the vertical shall have no harmful effect |
| 4 | Protected against splashing water | Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect |
| 5 | Protected against water jets | Water projected from a nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect |
| 6 | Protected against heavy seas | Water from heavy seas or water projected in powerful jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities |
| 7 | Protected against the effects of immersion | Ingress of water in a harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time |
| 8 | Protected against submersion | The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions, which shall be specified by the manufacturer |
