What is an IP rating?

The IP Code (where IP stands for International Protection or even Ingress Protection) classifies the degrees of protection against intrusions in electrical enclosures by providing a two-tier scale where the first number indicates the degree of protection from moving parts (tools) or foreign objects and the second number indicates the protection level from various forms of moisture.

In short, this certification or rating provides the customer with more detailed information about the product that just the vague terms of 'waterproof' or 'dustproof'.