What Is an IP Rating?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. It's an international standard (IEC 60529) that classifies how well an electrical product is protected against the intrusion of solid particles (like dust) and liquids (like water).
You'll see IP ratings on everything from smartphones to outdoor lighting — and on EV charging cables. For an EV cable that lives outside in all weathers, the IP rating is one of the most important specs to check.
How to Read an IP Rating
The format is always IP followed by two digits:
- First digit — protection against solid objects (0–6)
- Second digit — protection against liquids (0–9)
Higher numbers mean better protection.
What Does IP55 Specifically Mean?
- First 5 — dust protected. Not fully sealed against dust, but no ingress that would interfere with safe operation.
- Second 5 — protected against water jets from any direction. A sustained water jet will not cause any harmful ingress.
For an EV charging cable, this means it is safe to use in rain, snow, and damp conditions — and will not be damaged by water splashing from passing vehicles or rainfall during charging.
Is IP55 Good Enough for EV Cables?
Yes. IP55 is the recognised standard for outdoor EV charging cables and connectors. All major wallbox manufacturers design their products around IP55-rated cables. It provides full protection against typical outdoor conditions throughout a UK winter.
What About Temperature?
A good outdoor EV cable should also be rated for temperature extremes. Our cables are tested and rated from -30°C to +60°C — covering the coldest UK winter nights and the hottest summer days without the cable jacket becoming brittle or degrading.
Why Does Certification Matter?
Any seller can claim "IP55" on a product listing. What matters is that the claim is verified by an independent test. Our cables carry CE certification, which requires third-party testing to confirm the claimed IP rating has been genuinely achieved.
Uncertified cables from unknown sources may claim IP55 without any testing to back it up. In the UK and EU, CE marking on electrical products is a legal requirement — buying uncertified cables carries both safety and legal risk.
Shop IP55 Certified Cables
Every EV-LEK cable is IP55 weatherproof and CE certified — tested and ready for year-round outdoor use across the UK.