Ingress Protection (IP Rating)
International Applicable Standard
Executive Summary
• Specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipments against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies
• This document describes the classes of protection, and the standards and certification
• Independent certification is important when customers require an objective classification and comparison of devices
IEC/EN 60529 is an international set of test specification standards
for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of
electrical equipments against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign
bodies (i.e. tools, dust, fingers, etc) and moisture. This classification
system utilizes the letters “IP” (“Ingress Protection”) followed by two or
three digits. (A third digit is sometimes used. An “x” is used for one of the
digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPX4 which addresses
moisture resistance only.)
Degrees of Protection Against Solid Objects - First Digit
The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree that persons are
protected against contact with moving parts (other than smooth rotating
shafts, etc.) and the degree that equipment is protected against solid
foreign bodies intruding into an enclosure.
Degrees of Protection Against Moisture - Second Digit
The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment
inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of
moisture (e.g. dripping, spraying, submersion, etc.)
Optional IP Code Symbols
The chart illustrates the use of special symbols in the IP classification
system. In the “1st digit” column, not the grid-like symbols net to
numbers 5 and 6. In the “2nd digit” column numbers 3-8 are symbolized
by teardrop shaped symbols, sometimes enclosed in a box or a triangle,
sometimes unenclosed (#7-8). These symbols can be placed on
equipment to illustrate the IP protection provided.
Note: IEC/EN 60529 does not specify sealing effectiveness against
the following; mechanical damage of equipment; the risk of
explosions; certain types of moisture conditions, e.g. those that are
produced by condensation, corrosive vapors, fungus, vermin etc.
Reference
1 IEC 60529:1989+A1:1999, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP
Code) (http://www.iec.ch)
Standard versus Certification
Standard
Certification
ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004 defines a standard as a document,
established by consensus and approved by a recognized
body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules,
guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results,
aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in
a given context.
Certification is a third-party attestation related to products,
processes, systems, standards or persons.
Standards are generally designated by a few letters (prefix)
and a number. The letters (e.g., ISO, EN, BS,) indicate the
standards body which has approved them; the number
identifies the specific standard.
“Harmonized European Standards” are the standards
drafted by the European standards bodies (CEN/CENELEC),
on a mandate from the European Commission, with
reference to the European Directives of the “New Approach”
kind. These directives define generic safety requirements to
which some families of products, considered dangerous or
associated to serious risks, must adhere. Products made
in accordance with the harmonized standards benefit from
an agreement of conformity to the essential requirements of
the directives, provided that the reference of the harmonized
standard has been published in the Official Journal of the
European Communities and that the harmonized standard
has been implemented at a national level.
The harmonized European standards are voluntary. However,
producers who choose to use specifications other than the
harmonized standards will be required to prove conformity
of the product to the requirements of the directives in order
to obtain the CE mark, which must be affixed to products
defined by these directives.
Ingress Protection (IP Rating)
It is distinct from the other systems of proof of conformity
such as supplier declarations, laboratory test reports or
inspection body reports. Certification is based on the results
of tests, inspections and audits and gives confidence to the
customer on account of the systematic intervention of a
competent third body.
Certification is mandatory when and where it is required
by law. For instance, the European Commission requires
that the CE mark be obtained for defined products which
are particularly dangerous or associated to serious risks,
as specified by the “New Approach” Directives. For these
products, the CE mark is necessary to allow them to
circulate freely in the European Market
Product certification attests that a product complies
with the safety, fitness for use and/or interchangeability
characteristics defined in standard(s), and in specification(s)
supplementary to standards, where they are requested by
the market.
Voluntary Certification
When not required by law, that is when conformity to
standards is a producer’s choice, certification is voluntary. In
these cases, certification of conformity to a given standard
may be an internal product requirement for a company, or
it can be a strategic competitive factor since it represents
a quality symbol to consumers. Unlike a CE mark, IP
certification is not required by law. It is up to the suppliers’
discretion to invest in independent 3rd party testing and
certification. Customers who place value on objective testing
of the device they are puchasing can ask their supplier for
the official certificate.
1st Digit
0
Protection from solid objects
Non protected
1
2nd Digit
0
Protection from moisture
Non protected
1
Protected against solid objects greater than 50mm
2
Protected against vertically dripping water
2
Protected against solid objects greater than 12.5mm
3
Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15°
3
Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm
4
Protected against spraying water
4
Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0mm
5
Protected against splashing water
5
Dust protected
6
Protected against jetting water
6
Dust tight
Protected against powerfully jetting water
7
Protected against the temporary effects of immersion
8
Protected against continuous submersion
Ingress Protection (IP Rating)
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