The IP code is a codification system used to denote the degree of protection provided by the shell, from access to dangerous parts, the ingress of external solid objects, water, and the provision of additional information related to such protection.
Classification of the degrees of protection provided by the shells, the designations of these degrees of protection, the requirements for each designation, the methods and control modes, and the tests for checking the shells of electrical equipment, including instrumentation and automation to comply with this degree of protection is established in GOST 14254-96.
| IP | 6 | 4 | B | M | |
| Code letters (International Protection) | X | ||||
| The first characteristic digit (numbers from 0 to 6 or the letter X) | X | ||||
| The second characteristic number (numbers from 0 to 8 or the letter X) | X | ||||
| Additional letter, if necessary (letter A, B, C, D) | X | ||||
| Auxiliary letter, if necessary (letter H, M, S, W) | X |
The first characteristic figure indicates that the shell provides:
- protecting people from access to dangerous parts, preventing or restricting the penetration of any part of the human body or object in the hands of a person;
- while at the same time protecting equipment located inside the shell from penetration of external solid objects.
The shell can be assigned a certain degree of protection, denoted by the first characteristic number, only if it corresponds simultaneously to all lower degrees of protection.
The second characteristic figure denotes the degree of protection provided by the enclosures with respect to the harmful effects on the equipment as a result of water penetration.
Tests for the second characteristic figure are carried out using fresh water. The actual degree of protection can be unsatisfactory when high pressure and (or) solvents are used for cleaning operations.
An additional letter denotes the degree of protection of people from access to dangerous parts, are used only if:
Auxiliary letters indicate additional information.
All of the above is described in detail in GOST 14254-96, the following table is suitable for easier understanding:
| Element of code | Numbers or letters of the IP code | Meaning for equipment protection | Meaning to protect people |
| First digit | Against the penetration of external solid objects: | Against access to hazardous parts: | |
| 0 | no protection | no protection | |
| 1 | diameter ≥ 50 mm | back of hand | |
| 2 | diameter ≥ 12.5 mm | finger | |
| 3 | diameter ≥ 12.5 mm | instrument | |
| 4 | diameter ≥ 1mm | wire | |
| 5 | dustproof | wire | |
| 6 | dustproof | wire | |
| The second digit | Against harmful effects from water penetration | ||
| 0 | no protection | ||
| 1 | vertical dropping | ||
| 2 | dropping (nominal angle 15 º) | ||
| 3 | sprinkling | ||
| 4 | continuous spraying | ||
| 5 | flowing | ||
| 6 | strong flowing | ||
| 7 | temporary, short immersion | ||
| 8 | prolonged immersion | ||
| Additional letter (if necessary) | against access to hazardous parts | ||
| A | back of hand | ||
| B | finger | ||
| C | instrument | ||
| D | wire | ||
| Auxiliary letter (if necessary) | Additional information pertaining to: | ||
| H | high-voltage devices | ||
| M | the state of motion during the water protection test | ||
| S | the state of immobility during water protection tests | ||
| W | requirements for the resistance of shells established outside the GOST 14254-96 | ||