IP Ratings

IP Waterprrof Ratings - an explanation

When looking through electric scooter specifications you’ll often see an IP rating, typically of the type IP54. This is the electric scooter’s IP rating and refers to how well the scooter is protected from the elements.

The rating is set out by the International Electrotechnical Commission, a brief breakdown relating to electric scooters is provided below.

The IP rating will have two number that follow the IP, such as IP54

I P - Ingress Protection

5 4 - first number indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts such as electrical components and the ingress of foreign objects. While the second number refers to the protection against water.

First Number’s Rating Table

Level Sized Effective Against  Description
X - X means there is no data available / not tested.
0 - No protection against contact and ingress of objects.
1 >50 mm Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part.
2 >12.5 mm Fingers or similar objects.
3 >2.5 mm Tools, thick wires, etc.
4 >1 mm Most wires, slender screws.
5 Dust Protected Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment.
6 Dust-tight No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on airflow.

Second number’s Rating Table

Level Protection Against  Description
X - X means there is no data available / not tested.
0 None No protection against ingress of water.
1 Dripping Water Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect.
2 Dripping water when tilted at 15° Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15° from its normal position.
3 Spraying water Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
4 Splashing of water Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.
5 Water jets Water projected by a nozzle shall have no harmful effects.
6 Powerful water jets Water projected in powerful jets from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
7 Immersion, up to 1m No water ingress if underwater up to 1m for 30 mins