EN 50102

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The IK code is an international numeric classification for the degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts. It provides a means of specifying the capacity of an enclosure to protect its contents from external impacts. The IK Code is defined in European Standard BS EN 50102:1995 and in international standard IEC 62262.

Before the advent of the IK code, a third numeral had been occasionally added to the closely related IP code on ingress protection, to indicate the level of impact protection — e.g. IP66(9). Non standard use of this system was one of the factors leading to the development of this standard, which uses a separate two numeral code to distinguish it from the old differing systems. The standard came into effect in October 1995 and conflicting national standards had to be withdrawn by April 1997.

EN 50102 specifies the way enclosures should be mounted when tests are carried out, the atmospheric conditions that should prevail, the number of impacts (5) and their (even) distribution, and the size, style, material, dimensions etc. of the various types of hammer, designed to produce the energy levels required.

**IK code and impact energy** (values changed in Amd 1:1998)
IK code	IK00	IK01	IK02	IK03	IK04	IK05	IK06	IK07	IK08	IK09	IK10
Impact energy (joule)	*	0.14	0.2	0.35	0.5	0.7	1	2	5	10	20

To test for resistance to higher impacts an energy of 50 joules is recommended

**Impact test characteristics**
IK code	IK00	IK01 to IK05	IK06	IK07	IK08	IK09	IK10
Impact energy (joules)	*	<1	1	2	5	10	20
R mm (radius of striking element)	*	10	10	25	25	50	50
Material	*	polyamide¹⁾	polamide²⁾	steel²⁾	steel²⁾	steel²⁾	steel²⁾
Mass kg	*	0.2	0.5	0.5	1.7	5	5
Pendulum hammer	*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Spring hammer	*	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Free fall hammer	*	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes