An IP rating is a two-digit code that says how well a product is sealed. The first digit is protection against solid objects such as dust. The second is protection against water. Higher numbers mean better protection.
Reading the numbers
The first digit 6 means dust-tight. For water, 5 means it resists jets of water from any direction, and 6 means powerful jets. So IP65 is dust-tight and resists water jets, which suits rain.
A lower rating, such as IP54, resists splashing water and most dust. It can be fine for the back of a cabinet that sits under cover or behind a face that takes the weather.
Why it matters in India
Heavy monsoon rain, coastal humidity and summer dust all attack electronics. A screen without proper sealing can fail within a season. Ask for the rating of the front and the back, and check that cabling and power boxes are protected too.
Installation matters as much as the rating
A well-rated cabinet still fails if joints are poorly sealed or water collects on a ledge. Mounting, drainage, cable entry and shade all affect how long an outdoor screen lasts.
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