IP Codes

Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures

This standard describes a system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. Developed by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), these standards are designed to numerically rate an electrical product on the level of protection its enclosure provides. By assigning different number codes, the product's degree of protection can be identified quickly and easily. In the code IP 54, for example, IP identifies this standard, the 5 describes the level of protection from solid objects, and 4 describes the level of protection from liquids.

First Characteristic Numeral
DEGREE OF PROTECTION (First Number in Code) Brief Description Definition

0 = Not protected-
1 = Protected against solid foreign objects of 50mm diameter and greater. The object probe, sphere of 50mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate.1
2 = Protected against solid foreign objects of 12.5mm diameter and greater. The object probe, sphere of 12.5mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate.1
3 = Protected against solid foreign objects of 2.5mm diameter and greater. The object probe, sphere of 2.5mm diameter, shall not penetrate at all.1
4 = Protected against solid foreign objects of 1mm diameter and greater. The object probe, sphere of 1mm diameter, shall not penetrate at all.1
5 = Dust-protectedIngress of dust is not totally prevented, but dust shall not penetrate in a quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the apparatus or to impair safety
6 = Dust-tight. No ingress of dust.

1 The full diameter of the object shall not pass through an opening of the enclosure

Second Characteristic Numeral
DEGREE OF PROTECTION (Second Number in Code) Brief Description Definition

0 = Not protected-
1 = Protected against vertically falling water drops. Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects.
2 = Protected against vertically falling water drops when enclosure is titled up to 15°. Vertically falling drops have no harmful effects when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15° on either side of the vertical.
3 = Protected against spraying water.Water sprayed at an angle up to 60° degrees on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects.
4 = Protected against splashing water. Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
5 = Protected against water jets.Water projected in jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
6 = Protected against powerful water jets. Water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
7 = Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is temporarily immersed 1 meter in water under standardised conditions of pressure and time.
8 = Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is continuously immersed in water under conditions which shall be agreed between manufacturer and the user, but are more severe than for number 7.

Latest figures reveal more than 200,000 people end up hospital each year through DIY and cleaning disasters.

Nearly 90,000 people are injured using power tools and some 30,000 are injured falling off ladders whilst painting or cleaning windows.

The top ten for accidents are:-

1 Knives, scalpels and cutting blades 20,000
2 Saws 15,000
3 Grinders 6,500
4 Hammers 6,000
5 Chisels 4,000
6 Screwdrivers 3,500
7 Power Drills 3,000
8= Planes 2,000
8= Axes 2,000
8= Welding Equipment 2,000

One more reason to use professional tradesmen, Windsor Kitchens & Carpentry offer a FREE, NO OBLIGATION, FIXED PRICE quotation for all the home improvement jobs you could possibly want with full guarantees and Public Liability Insurance. Alternatively, go to the buy with confidence website at http://www.buywithconfidence.info/introduction.html to find a list of Local Authority checked and approved tradesmen in your area.

Research shows as many as 25% of us spend holiday weekends working on the home.

Those who experience the “DIY DISASTER” may find they have additional problems as they may not be insured. Most building and contents insurance cover “standard perils” including damage from fire, water, subsidence and theft.

But homeowners who spill paint on the carpet or furniture, drill through water pipes or electricity cables in the wall or put their foot through the ceiling boarding the loft, may find they are not covered.

DIY enthusiasts should check their insurance details thoroughly or take out accidental cover at an additional premium of between £20 and £70 depending on the cover required and insurer.

Apparently the most common DIY disaster is spilling paint on carpets with average replacement costing up to £1,250. Repairing damage through drilling or knocking nails through pipes can cost as much as £2,000.

Windsor Kitchens & Carpentry carry full public liability insurance and all workmanship is fully guaranteed. But if you wish to find a selection of local trades, go to the buy with confidence website at http://www.buywithconfidence.info/introduction.html and find a Local Authority list of checked and approved tradesmen.

Martin Pettyfer, owner of Windsor Kitchens & Carpentry, has been accepted as an Approved Member of the Hampshire County Council Buy-With-Confidence Scheme and is pictured receiving his official certificate at the recent presentation ceremony.

The Buy-With-Confidence scheme was initiated by Hampshire County Council to help businesses comply with the law while improving consumer protection through a partnership approach.

Members have to prove to the local Trading Standards they are qualified, have appropriate insurance and are committed to providing a high level of service by providing references for previous work.

Approved Members are listed on the Buy-With-Confidence website, so consumers can be sure they are dealing with a company which has passed all the standards set by the scheme.

For more information, visit http://www.buywithconfidence.info/introduction.html.

Plan your kitchen according to your lifestyle. A family will have different expectations from a kitchen than a young couple. Keep this in mind when planning your storage.

Keep the existing service points in mind when planning the kitchen as rewiring and re-plumbing takes a lot of time and money.

Think about the ventilation points when planning your kitchen so you don't plan cupboards over them.

Decide where your sink, drainer and dishwasher need to go first as this will be the biggest unit to fit in.

Plan the main areas (sink, food preparation and hob) close together. This will make your kitchen more efficient.

When measuring the size of the kitchen, make sure that the exact shape of the walls is known. If there is an inwards corner in the room it will influence the shape of the worktop and the place of the wall-cupboards.

If you decide for a two-way galley kitchen, leave enough walking space between the two galleys.

If choosing a U-shaped kitchen, consider the floor space you will have left and maybe decide to use one of the legs of the U as a breakfast bar.

If you like to cook with a lot of fresh vegetables or you need a big freezer, consider a big fridge-freezer at the end of your worktop for loads of storage and easy access.

In a small and narrow kitchen you can create more space by making the wall-cupboards taller and shallower rather than having them protruding outwards. You will create more headspace and the kitchen will look wider.

Store all heavy items in the cupboards under the worktop.
Store rarely used items on the highest shelves of your cupboard to keep easy accessible space free for daily use.

Kitchens will always have drawers with all sorts of goods in it, like pens, buttons, matches and sandwich bags. To create more order, use little plastic boxes or special drawer organisers. You will find what you need much quicker.

Store your utensils near to where you are most likely to use them. This will make your kitchen more efficient.

Keep your worktop clutter free for a tidy look.

To disguise a boiler you can build a spice rack in front of it. This will not take a lot of space and will be an attractive display for all your spices.

Think about where you want your main bin to be situated. Try to integrate it in the area below the worktop to keep the look of the kitchen clean and clutter-free.