IP44 is one of many IP ratings. These ratings show the degrees of ingress protection that measure how effective the enclosure of an electrical device is at blocking entry by solids or liquids.
The numbers and letters in an IP rating explain the level of protection a product achieved under standardised testing, which determines which environments the product can be used in. Here’s what you need to know about IP44 and finding the IP rating you need.
IP44 meaning explained
These ratings are part of the IP Code published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and are included in safety standards such as:
- IEC 60529:1989
- BS EN 60529:1992
- ISO 20653:2013
to ensure the safe use of electrical equipment.
An ‘Ingress Protection’ rating typically features the letters ‘IP’ followed by two numbers, as you can see in the example below.
IP44
The first number represents the level of protection the product’s enclosure has against keeping out solid foreign bodies, using a scale of 0 – 6.
This can include anything from dust particles to human fingers, all of which can be hazardous if they touch the electrical components inside enclosures.
The second number rates the protection level of the product’s enclosure against forms of moisture, using a scale of 0 – 9.
As water can corrode metal components and risk causing electric shocks or starting fires if it comes into contact with live electrical wires, a higher level of protection is required.
In this case, an IP44 rating means the product is protected against ingress by small solid bodies of 1mm diameter or more, and has effective protection against splashing water from any direction or angle, including vertical drops or sprays of droplets.
Is IP44 Weatherproof or waterproof?
An IP44 rating indicates that the product is splashproof rather than waterproof.
As such, it’s considered safe to use IP44 products in drier or more sheltered areas where they may be infrequently exposed to moisture, either indoors or outdoors. It wouldn’t be wise to use a product with a rating lower than IP44 outside due to the higher risk of water ingress from heavy rain or submersion in water, and it shouldn’t be used in such situations.
IP44 v IP65
If you need your product to be weatherproof, you should aim for an IP rating of IP65 at a minimum.
Anything graded IP65 is fully dust-tight, as evidenced by the 6, and is protected against water jets from any direction, hence the 5.
For fully waterproof protection, you’ll need a sufficiently high second digit, as well as a 6 for the first digit, such as:
- IP66
- IP67
- IP68
The highest water ingress protection rating available is 9K, which is ideal for withstanding regular high-pressure jets of water in industries where sanitisation is essential, but this is generally far and above what most businesses will need if looking for basic waterproofing.
The misconception of waterproof ratings
While it might seem the natural next step, it’s actually counterintuitive to discuss weatherproof or waterproof ratings alongside IP ratings.
This is because IP ratings, like IP44 or IP65, were designed to specifically outline what protection is offered to each product, not a general weatherproof/waterproof grading.
This thought process can lead businesses to buy the highest possible IP ratings when a lower one would have been perfectly sufficient.
In most instances, especially in the UK, rainfall is predominantly vertical and intermittent, an outdoor connector is unlikely to need protection rated higher than a 5, as it doesn’t need to be safe in the face of:
- Powerful sprays or jets of water – an IP rating ending in a 6
- Withstand immersion in water for up to 30 minutes – choose an IP rating ending in 7
- Long-term immersion under high-pressure – select an IP rating of 8
- High-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs, or steam cleaning – rated 9K
Benefits of IP44 connectors
- Will stop ingress from solid objects larger than 1mm
- Protects connectors from splashing water in any direction, under an oscillating spray for a minimum of 10-minutes
This means IP44 connectors are considered splashproof
- Cost effectiveness
- Safe for most industrial applications, unless more intensive water protection is required
- Reliable performance
Find the right IP-rated connectors for your site
As suppliers of a full range of IP-rated power connectors, you can find a selection of IP44 connectors available on the Northern Connectors website. We provide circular and rectangular IP44 connectors from reputable brands, such as HARTING, Souriau, and Mennekes, plus panel-mounted or wall-mounted inlets and sockets and IP44 plugs, too.
To make finding connectors with the IP rating you need easier, you can also browse a variety of connector IP ratings, consult our simple IP ratings guide, or view our resources on which IP-rated connectors are most suitable for certain sectors – including automation, surveillance, food, lighting, and industrial uses.
Alternatively, if you need bespoke guidance on selecting a suitable solution for your application, call us on 01744 815 001, or complete our quick quote form (on the right-hand side of your screen), and we will be in touch at the nearest opportunity.
