IP56 or IP66 rating?????

cpu

This socket is IP56 rated and is £29.00 from Argos:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9820391/Trail/C%24cip%3D42115.DIY%2C%2Bgarden%2Band%2Bcar%3EC%24cip%3D42186.Home%2Bimprovement%2Band%2Bsecurity%3EC%24cip%3D42198.Sockets%2Band%2Blight%2Bswitches.htm

This socket is IP66 rated and is £29.41 from Alertelectrical:

http://www.alertelectrical.com/Wiring-Accessories/Weatherproof-Sockets/GET-IP66-Weatherproof-IP66-Double-Socket-Switched--GWPIU3020.asp

Not sure of the differences between the two ratings. Anyone advise please? I want to put up a small amount of outdoor Xmas lights this year and want to get 1 or maybe 2 outdoor sockets put in.

Also, as a separate question, are those plastic outdoor weatherboxes really ok for protecting transformers? http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A340303&ts=25086&id=44658 I have outdoor lights which I plugged in indoors last year because of the transformer and it was a real nuisance. Can I put the transformer in a weatherbox and plug in outdoors?

I will be asking an electrician to do the wiring, but I'd rather buy the stuff myself first and just get him to do the work. He's a nice bloke but he's one of those old friendly 'just you leave it to me' types and I'm not always happy with his choice of product, even although his workmanship is very professional and he's so reasonable with his charges I often feel he should charge more. :rolleyes:

Thanks for any help.

Mr_Warren_2

The IP rating of an electrical item reffers to its resistance to water ingress. Small water splashes, shower conditions or completely waterproof. The higher the IP the better resistance to water ingress. As both items are similarly priced, go for the highest IP.

Cypher

The first digit is actually the protection against someone putting their fingers into the box or from foreign bodies such as dust.

5 = Protection from the amount of dust that would interfere with the operation of the equipment
6 = dust tight

The second digit is the water moisture penetration one, both boxes you mention are the same rating.

6 = Protection against heavy seas, or powerful jets of water

cpu

Completely forgotten I had asked this! Thanks very much for replies. Apologies for not acknowledging sooner. :beer:

mepone9

go for the MK masterseal socket far better quality.