I HAVE ALSO SEEN A RATING OF IP54, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

The IP rating of an enclosure, or Ingress Protection Rating specifies how resistant the device is to foreign objects and moisture. The first digit represents foreign objects. The range is from 1 (objects greater than 50 mm) to 6 (completely dust tight). The second digit represents moisture. The range is from 1 (dripping water) to 8 (immersion in water for more than 1 minute). IP54 represents that the equipment will operate in dusty conditions, and will resist splashing water.