Armor Rating on Salvage Items

What does the armor rating on salvage items mean?

It's really difficult to search these forums for information (Which is what I have to do to find things out, since it isn't documeneted in the slightest from "official" resources) without being spoiled in several different ways.

You can actually equip the salvageable armor if it's of an appropriate type for your class.

I'm not sure that's right. Given that all armor in the game has to be "custom fit", right? They said that in the game somewhere.

no you cant
the armor is salvageable not wearable

After X amount of armour on an item it will salvage for more parts.

eg: Charr axe warriors armour can often be 17, when it is 22 or above it will be salvaged for twice the amount of craft items.

Hmm... I know someone told me you could, but they might have been BSing me.