CALL 01924 411921 
EMAIL BETECH
BROCHURE DOWNLOADS
QUICK QUOTE

IP Ratings for Industrial Motors: What You Really Need to Know

What's an IP Rating Anyway?

When you’re picking out motors for industrial use, you’ll spot those “IP” numbers everywhere. IP stands for Ingress Protection – basically how well your motor can keep dust and water out. And yes, it matters a lot more than most people think.

Breaking Down the Code

IP ratings aren’t particularly exciting, but they’re dead useful. Think of them as a shorthand way of knowing if your motor will survive its working environment. The system uses two numbers:

First number (0-6): How well it keeps solid bits out

Second number (0-9): How waterproof it is

Higher numbers mean better protection – simple as that. Sometimes you’ll see a third digit for special cases, but it’s rare.

IP

IP Stands for:
Ingress
Protection

6

First number (0-6): How well it keeps solid bits out

6

Second number (0-9): How waterproof it is

The Dust Defence (First Digit)

The first digit tells you how well your motor handles everything from fingers to fine dust:

  • IP2X: Stops fingers poking inside
  • IP3X: Safe from tools and thick wires
  • IP4X: Keeps out most screws and small wires
  • IP5X: Mostly dustproof (some might still get in)
  • IP6X: Totally dustproof – nothing’s getting through
The Water Story (Second Digit)

The second digit deals with everything from light drizzle to full underwater use:

  • IPX2: Can handle some dripping water when tilted
  • IPX3: Won’t die in light spray from various angles
  • IPX4: Handles splashing from any direction – minimum required for any rainfall exposure
  • IPX5: Withstands low-pressure water jets
  • IPX6: Stands up to powerful water jets
  • IPX7: Can be submerged briefly (up to 1m for 30 minutes)
  • IPX8: Works while permanently underwater at specified depths – often designed to operate completely submerged, sometimes requiring submersion for cooling purposes
  • IPX9K: Survives close-range high-pressure, hot water cleaning – essentially IP66 but for hot water and steam applications
Real-World Ratings You'll Actually See

Here’s the thing – higher IP ratings cost more money. It’s possible that selecting a higher IP rating could increase the cost of the motor, however it’s important to get it right to avoid premature failure.

Consider:

  • Where’s it going? Dry indoor space vs. outdoor exposure makes a massive difference.
  • What’s in the air? Sawdust in a woodshop needs different protection than flour dust in a bakery.
  • How wet will it get? Light rain exposure needs at least IPX4 protection, while applications with regular hosing need higher ratings.
  • Industry requirements? Food and pharmaceutical industries often have specific standards.
Picking the Right IP Rating For Your Application
  • Understand Abbreviations: Familiarise yourself with common abbreviations used on IEC motor nameplates.
  • Check for Deviations: Ensure the motor’s operating conditions do not deviate significantly from the nameplate specifications.
  • Consult Documentation: Refer to the motor’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website for more detailed information.
Testing: How We Know What We Know

Motors don’t just get their IP ratings by looking pretty. They’re put through proper torture tests – blasted with water jets, submerged, and filled with talcum powder to simulate dust. It’s all standardised under IEC 60529, so an IP65 motor from one manufacturer should offer the same protection as another’s.

Bottom Line

The IP rating might just be a couple of numbers, but they tell you exactly what your motor can handle. Get it wrong, and you’ll be replacing motors far sooner than planned. Get it right, and your equipment will keep running through whatever your environment throws at it. And sometimes, that’s the difference between a profitable operation and one plagued by downtime.

Don't just take our word for it, Be Amazed
We were back up and running with a brand new gearbox installed within 24hrs. Matt - Same day customer
We appreciate the service we received. We had a machine breakdown, and we were job stopped. Thanks to the service we received from Betech (in particular Leanne and Ella) we were back up and running with a brand new gearbox installed within 24hrs.
Glynn was outstanding, clear, knowledgeable and kept us up to date at every stage, couldn't ask for more reallyMario - Next day customer
Just like to say a big thank you to all you guys, first of all for having the stock so we kept a customer happy, secondly for the friendly helpful staff that we rely on, on many occasions From initial phone call until delivery, Glynn was outstanding, clear, knowledgeable and kept us up to date at every stage, couldn't ask for more really
Special thanks to Polly with her 'can do' 'no problem' attitudeJoyce - Next day customer
Thank you for the speedy turnaround from ordering at 4pm Friday to next working day dispatch at 10am on Monday. Special thanks to Polly with her 'can do' 'no problem' attitude who sorted this late on a Friday afternoon!
Even though the drive I required was out of stock a suitable alternative was offered which was sent quickly on a same day service.Stuart - Same day service customer
Thanks to Jodie and Ella, for sorting out a breakdown situation. Even though the drive I required was out of stock a suitable alternative was offered which was sent quickly on a same day service.
Well and truly saved the daySteve - Engineering customer
Service from the whole team is always outstanding
We would like to thank BeTech for brilliant service today.Andrea - Same day service customer
We would like to thank BeTech for brilliant service today. We rang this morning with a very desperate emergency request for a part for machinery in our factory which was holding up the entire production, and Betech pulled out all the stops to get us the part in record time. Well and truly saved the day - all of you! We are very grateful for the super-quick response and turnaround on sending the part - the same morning. Excellent, and highly recommended.
Understood how urgent this part was.Chris - Same day service customer
I dealt with Glynn Williams, no issues at all, spoke on the phone and he was very polite and understood how urgent this part was. sorted everything out very quickly. The parts arrived on site a few hours later.
Could not praise high enoughSara - National Distributor
Leanne was extremely helpful from the first phone call, understanding the urgency. The motor we needed wasn't in stock but she found an alternative and sent the spec sheets of both so we could compare the two. This was done without being asked so she anticipated our needs. Once the order was placed, the communication couldn't have been better with confirmations and ETA's forthcoming. The parts arrived exactly on schedule and the line was back up and running when promised. Could not praise high enough.
You have got us out of a hot spotMichael - Bearing Distributor
Thanks for your help with this. You have got us out of a hot spot. I really appreciate your quick response. It was a pleasure to speak with someone who went above and beyond even as we do not have an account. I deal with too many suppliers who do not give a monkey.
Urgent same day requirementsJohn - Same Day Service Customer
We received a quote very quickly from Jodie as always, sorted out our urgent same day requirements. Order was placed and we received our acknowledgment not long after. Service from Jodie is always good
Betech is one of the best companies that I deal withHelen - OEM Customer
I normally deal with either Joe Lane or Jodie Toohey and over the years they have both always been extremely efficient with regards to answering queries, quoting and keeping us up to date with delivery dates. Betech is one of the best companies that I deal with.
We absolutely love BetechAdam - Motor Rewinder
We absolutely love Betech. I only wish all companies we dealt with on a daily basis were like Betech. Have nothing negative to say other than we are getting low on our Betech pens and notepads. I will leave that thought with you.
Knowledge and Customer service is outstandingNicola - OEM Customer
I would like to thank Jodie Toohey her knowledge and Customer service is outstanding and any enquiry I have made she always replies promptly.
It is always a pleasure when dealing with BetechRichard - new motor and Invertek sales company
It is always a pleasure when dealing with Betech, I know I am assured of first class products and service. I have no hesitation in recommending your company to friends and colleagues. Thank you.
Ordered and delivered in 3 hoursDave - Same day service customer
Fantastic service ordered and delivered within 3 hours on the same day.
WOW... This is what service should be likeChris - Power transmission customer
WOW... This is what service should be like, so many companies are no longer like this ... Thanks for your speed and effeciency!!
All staff respond the same all very helpful thank you to allScott - Electrical engineering customer
All staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about all there products and were able to recalulate different options if original option wasn't available.
I cant really say any more the team are always friendly and knowledgeable. Fast, Efficient, Friendly! Lee - Power transmission customer
I have been using Betech as my go to for Motovario, Baldor and Invertek plus other brands for 10 years with Jodie being my main point of contact, I have never had an issue, quotes are speedy with the relevent data sheets attached, deliveries are always well packaged and 99% of the time are delivered the next morning. I cant really say any more the team are always friendly and knowledgeable. Fast, Efficient, Friendly!
Betech ISO 9001 logo

CALL 01924 411921

EMAIL US

Betech 100pt Ltd
Four Square Buildings, Thomas Street, Heckmondwike,
West Yorkshire WF16 0LS

Registered in England No. 240 4937
VAT No. 461 3067 67

Betech Terms & Conditions
To view our updated terms and conditions of sale

CLICK HERE

Products

MAC Centre

Support & News

About