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IP-code. Protection against ingress of solid objects, dust and moisture

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IP-code – introduction

IP degree of protection (eng.: ingress protection) – a parameter characterising the enclosure of an electrical device, indicating the level of protection of the user against access to hazardous parts and of the device itself against penetration by external agents.

The IP code consists of the letters “IP”, two characteristic numeral numbers and optionally two letters – an additional letter and a suplementary letter.

The first digit indicates the level of protection the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects. The second digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against harmful ingress of water.

IP tests – protection against access to hazardous parts and solid foreign objects

The first letter of the IP code according to the PN-EN 60529 or ISO 20653 standard, for digits from 1 to 4 defines the class of protection against access to hazardous parts and solid foreign objects.

Tests verifying if the enclosure can be assigned a given protection class have been designed so that the degree of protection when using the specific housing is clearly defined. Tests are performed with the use of access probes (spheres, wires and test fingers), applying the force specified in the standard on the test object.

Stopień ochrony przed obcymi ciałami stałymi

Degree of protection against solid foreign objects

Degree of protection against solid foreign objects provides information on what is the maximum size of objects that can penetrate the enclosure.

IP degreeAccess probe
IP1XSphere ø 50 mm
IP2XSphere ø 12.5 mm
IP3XWire 2.5 mm
IP4XWire 1 mm

The condition for a given degree of protection against solid foreign objects is met, when the access probe does not penetrate the enclosure, which could disturb equipment operation.

Stopień ochrony przed obcymi ciałami stałymi

Degree of protection against access to hazardous parts

Degree of protection against access to hazardous parts provides information on whether the enclosure is protected against the risk of electrocution (by electrical parts), mechanical injuries of the human body (by moving parts), etc.

IP degreeAccess probe
IP1XSphere ø 50 mm on a handle
IP2XSphere ø 12.5 mm on a handle / test finger (depending on the standard)
IP3XWire 2.5 mm on a handle
IP4XWire 1 mm on a handle

The access is verified with the use of a system that signals closing of the electrical circuit.

Stopień ochrony przed obcymi ciałami stałymi

BOSMAL’s tests covering the entire IP protection range

If degrees of protection against access to hazardous parts and solid foreign objects differ within a given piece of equipment (its enclosure may have protections restricting the access to hazardous parts), the IP code is extended to include an additional letter A, B, C or D.

Stopień ochrony przed obcymi ciałami stałymi

Standards

  • PN-EN 60529
  • DIN 40050-9
  • ISO 20653

All our IP testing methods are certified (AB 128 accreditation).

IP tests (dust resistance)

Testing performed

  • Dust resistance tests (IP5X/IP6X) according to PN-EN 60529 and ISO 20653

Objects tested

  • elements of electrical and electronic equipment,
  • assemblies for machines and devices.

Test dust types used

  • Arizona (A2, A4) according to ISO 12103-1,
  • talk,
  • Portland cement,
  • others.
Badania odporności na pył

Test benches

  • chambers with vertical circulation of dust-air mixture of volumes 1 m3 and 0.3 m3.

Characteristics of the dust chamber of volume 1 m3

  • dimensions of the chamber workspace: (1000 x 1000 x 1000) mm,
  • the ability to perform tests at ambient temperature and at elevated temperature (up to 100°C),
  • the ability to perform tests at negative pressure,
  • access opening with a diameter of 80 mm, enabling the routing of power cables and vacuum hoses to the test objects inside the chamber,
  • possibility of coupling the chamber with an external drive system, e.g. in the case of tests on alternators.
Komora pyłowa 1 m3

Example test in dust chamber – alternator durability testing

IP tests (resistance to water)

Testing performed

  • resistance to dripping water (IPX1, IPX2)
  • resistance to rain (IPX3, IPX4) using a tube with oscillating movement,
  • resistance to spurts of water (IPX5, IPX6, IPX6K),
  • immersion (IPX7, IPX8),
  • resistance to high-pressure washing (IPX9, IPX9K).

In the photo: Testing an electric motor for IPX6K protection class

Standards

We perform testing (PCA accredited range) according to the following norms:

  • PN-EN 60529:2003/A2
  • ISO 20653
  • also JIS D 0203, DIN 40050 p.9, as well as many other manufacturer norms and research programmes agreed with the customer.
Walidacja dyszy wg IEC 60529

Dripping water testing stand

  • dripping box with nozzles 0.4 mm, possibility of testing area expansion to 1 m²
  • tilted table (15°) and rotating table
  • precipitation height: 1 mm/min, 3 mm/min

In the photo: dripping box for the tests IPX1, IPX2.

skrzynia kroplowa do testów IPX1 i IPX2

Rain testing stands

  • tube with oscillating movement (ranges 20 cm, 40 cm, 60 cm) and other spray terminations
  • flow rate up to 40 l/min
  • possibility of rotating the test object
  • possibility of using UV dye

In the photo: rain simulation on test object by means of an oscillating spray tube – tests IPX3, IPX4.

Nadeszczanie obiektu badań przy pomocy rury natryskowej, oscylacyjnej - test IPX3 i IPX4
  • Rain simulation on the test object using an oscillating spray tube - IPX3, IPX4 tests
    Rain simulation on the test object using an oscillating spray tube – IPX3, IPX4 tests
  • Rain simulation on the test object using an oscillating spray tube - IPX3, IPX4 tests
    Rain simulation on the test object using an oscillating spray tube – IPX3, IPX4 tests

Water immersion testing stand

  • immersion tank (diameter of elevator 900 mm, head of water: 1.5 m)
  • possibility of modifications: water temperature, submersion depth, testing time

In the photo: test object in immersion tank.

Stanowisko badawcze do testów zanurzeniowych

Resistance to high-pressure washing test stand

  • working pressure: 30-120 bar
  • water temperature: <80°C
  • nozlle fulfilling the requirements of PN-EN 60529:2003/A2:2014-07 (inter alia)

In the photo: testing a vehicle lamp for IPX9K protection class

Badanie lampy samochodowej na stopień ochrony IPX9K

Tested objects

  • Parts of vehicles’ equipment and other assemblies from machines and devices

In the photo: testing an alternator for IPX9K protection class

Badanie alternatora na stopień ochrony IPX9K

Other water resistance tests

Testing the resistance of products to wading through water

Example: testing an electric vehicle cooling fan

Damp resistance tests

Technical parameters

  • Water flow rate: up to 40 l/min
  • Rotational speed: controlled

Flow tubes in accordance with:

  • JIS D 0203
  • DIN 40050 part 9
  • EN 60529

Resistance to high-pressure washing test

Technical parameters

  • Water flow rate: up to 16 l/min
  • Water pressure: up to 100 bar
  • Water temperature: up to 100°C
  • Flow stream: flat (25° to 40°)
  • Element mounted in a fixed position, or with the possibility of rotating in a single plane through 360°

High Pressure Cleaning with Thermal Shock

Technical parameters

  • test object temperature around 80°C (oil),
  • water temperature to 14°C,
  • water pressure 82 bars

High Pressure Cleaning with Thermal Shock – test zarejestrowany kamerą termowizyjną

  • External video

Standards

  • DIN 40050-9
  • ISO 12103-1
  • ISO 20653
  • JIS D 0203
  • PN-EN 60529
  • VW 80000 (M-03)

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