Ingress protection rating
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International standard IEC 60529 classifies the level of protection that electrical appliances provide against the intrusion of solid objects or dust, accidental contact, and water. The resulting Ingress Protection (IP) rating (explanation of the letters IP is given in IEC 60529(ed2.1), clause 4.1), is identified by a code that consists of the letters IP followed by two digits and an optional letter. The digits ('characteristic numerals') indicate conformity with the conditions summarized in the tables below. Where there is no protection rating with regard to one of the criteria, the digit is replaced with the letter X.
For example, an electrical socket rated IP22 is protected against insertion of fingers and will not be damaged or become unsafe when exposed to vertically or nearly vertically dripping water. IP22 or IP2X are typical minimum requirements for the design of electrical accessories for in-door use.
One source reports that the Australian national standard AS 1939 adds to the international standard a third optional digit, which indicates protection against mechanical impact damage. It ranges from 0 for no protection to 9 for protection against 20 joule impacts (equivalent to 5 kg dropped from 40 cm).
This standard is sometimes referred to colloquially simply as "IP codes" or "IP ratings" of the IEC. For instance a manufacturer of an electrical/electronic product may list that products' "IP rating" as "IPX4 Waterproof" (i.e. splash proof only) or "IPX7 Waterproof" (Manufacturer defines time and pressure/depth conditions. e.g. temporarily submersible to 1 metre for up to 3 minutes.).
It could be argued that the use of the word "Waterproof" as in "IPX4 Waterproof" is misleading, as the average consumer may not be aware of this standard, and may read "Waterproof" to mean just that, i.e. Waterproof even when submersed in relatively shallow waters of a few feet.
Contents |
[edit] First digit
The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects.
| Level | Object size protected against | Effective against |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | — | no protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | >50 mm | any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part |
| 2 | >12.5 mm |
fingers or similar objects |
| 3 | >2.5 mm |
tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | >1 mm |
most wires, screws, etc. |
| 5 | dust protected |
ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact |
| 6 | dust tight |
no ingress of dust; complete protection against contact |
[edit] Second digit
Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.
| Level | Protected against | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | not protected | — |
| 1 | dripping water |
Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect. |
| 2 | dripping water when tilted up to 15° |
Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position. |
| 3 | spraying water |
Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect. |
| 4 | splashing water |
Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect. |
| 5 | water jets |
Water projected by a nozzle against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | heavy seas |
Water from heavy seas or projected in powerful jets shall not enter the enclosure in harmful quantities. |
| 7 | the effects of immersion |
Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time. |
| 8 | submersion |
The equipment is suitable for continuous submersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. |
[edit] Additional letters
The standard defines additional letters that can be appended to classify only the level of protection against access to hazardous parts by persons:
| Level | Protected against access to hazardous parts with |
|---|---|
| A | back of hand |
| B | finger |
| C | tool |
| D | wire |
Further letters can be appended to provide additional information related to the protection of the device:
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| H | high voltage device |
| M | device moving during water test |
| S | device standing still during water test |
| W | weather conditions |
[edit] References
- IEC 60529: Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code). International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.
North American ingress-protection rating systems are defined in NEMA 250, UL 50, UL 508, and CSA C22.2 No. 94.
