WHAT IS IP PROTECTION
IP Tests with the main standard EN 60529 are also included in many other standards such as EN 60335 and EN 60598.
The EN 60529 Standard covers the classification of protection degrees provided by enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72.5 kV.
The IP Code (Ingress Protection Code or also known as International Protection Code) is an international standard developed by the European Commission (CENELEC - Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique) to determine the resistance of electrically operated devices to external factors. The IP Code stands for "International Protection Code" or "Ingress Protection Code."
IP Classification
- IP Codes are used to specify the safe operating conditions of electrical products. The IP Code generally consists of a 2 or 3-digit number. These digits are used to indicate the resistance of the product to different external factors. Each digit represents protection against a specific effect, and the numbers in the digit indicate the degree of protection. The meanings of the digits used in IP Classification are shown in the image.
1. Protection against solid objects
2. Protection against liquids
3. Protection against mechanical impacts
1. Protection against solid objects
| Level | Protection Against Object Size | Details |
|---|---|---|
0 | - | No protection against contact and entry of objects. |
1 | >50 mm | Solid objects with a diameter of 50 mm or more cannot enter the device. |
2 | >12.5 mm | Solid objects with a diameter of 12.5 mm or more cannot enter the device. |
3 | >2.5 mm | Solid particles with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more cannot enter the device. |
4 | >1 mm | Solid particles with a diameter of 1 mm or more cannot enter the device. |
5 | Dust Resistant | Dust particles cannot enter the device in a way that would impair its operation. |
6 | Dustproof | Fully protected against dust. |
2. Protection Against Liquids
| Level | Protection Against | Test | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
0 | Unprotected | - | - |
1 | Protection against vertical water drops | Vertical water drops do not damage the device. | Test Duration: 10 Minutes Precipitation Rate: 1 mm/min |
2 | Protection against vertical water drops when the device body is tilted at a 15º angle. | Vertical water drops do not damage the device even when its body is tilted at a 15º angle in both directions. | Test Duration: 10 Minutes Precipitation Rate: 3 mm/min |
3 | Protection against fine water spray | Fine water droplets do not damage the device even if they hit it at a 60º angle in both directions. | Test Duration: 5 Minutes Water Volume: 0.7 L/min Pressure: 80–100 kPa |
4 | Protection against splashing water | Water splashes coming from any direction do not damage the device. | Test Duration: 5 Minutes Water Volume: 10 L/min Pressure: 80–100 kPa |
5 | Protection against water jets | Water jets coming from any direction do not damage the device. | Test Duration: At least 15 Minutes Water Volume: 12.5 L/min Pressure: 30 kPa from a 3 m distance |
6 | Protection against strong water jets | Strong water jets coming from any direction do not damage the device. | Test Duration: At least 3 Minutes Water Volume: 100 L/min Pressure: 100 kPa from a 3 m distance |
6k | Protection against high-pressure water sprays | Resistant to high-pressure water sprays from all directions. (12.5 mm hose) | Test Duration: At least 3 Minutes Water Volume: 75 L/min Pressure: 1000 kPa from a 3 m distance |
7 | Protection against temporary immersion in water | Resistant to water ingress under defined conditions of temporary immersion up to 1 meter. | Test Duration: 30 Minutes The device was immersed at least 1 meter from its bottom and measured 15 cm above the device. |
8 | Protection against continuous immersion in water | The device is resistant to continuous immersion in water under the conditions specified by the manufacturer. | Test Duration: Continuous immersion in water at the depth specified by the manufacturer, typically 3 meters. |
9k | High temperature and pressure water sprays | Resistant to close-range, high-pressure, and high-temperature water sprays. | 100 Bar Pressure 80 Degrees Celsius |