DEGREES OF IP PROTECTION: TESTS ACCORDING TO EN 60529

IP Tests: how do they take place?

IP tests are used to assess the degree of protection of electrical enclosures against the penetration of solid foreign bodies and water. IP protection tests carried out by Istituto Giordano verify the product's resistance to the ingress of small objects and dust, and to water through rain, splashes, jets and immersion.

Istituto Giordano is able to perform the tests for the evaluation of the IP rating according to EN 60529 - Degrees of Protection of Enclosures (IP Code), under ISO 17025 (tests accredited by ACCREDIA).

What does the IP rating indicate?

In summary, the IP rating clearly defines the ability of an enclosure to protect the electrical equipment inside, ensuring its safety and functionality in different environments.
The IP grade is generally indicated by two characteristic digits plus any two letters (additional and supplementary).
 

IP code: this is how it is structured

First digit: protection of persons against contact with hazardous parts and protection of materials against the ingress of solids;

Second digit: protection of materials against harmful ingress of water;

Additional letter: to be used if the protection of persons against contact with hazardous parts is higher than the protection against the entry of solid bodies required by the first characteristic numeral;

Supplementary: to be used to provide further information about the material.

NOTE: when a characteristic digit is not required, it is replaced by the letter “X” (“XX” if both digits are omitted), additional and/or supplementary letters may be omitted without being replaced.

Example:


 

IP GRADES TABLE: IP classification

 

Element	Digit or letter	Significance for equipment protection	Significance for the protection of persons
Characteristic letter	IP	-	-
First characteristic figure		Against the penetration of solid foreign bodie	Against access to dangerous part
	0	(unprotected)	(unprotected)
	1	≥ 50 mm in diameter	Back of the hand
	2	≥ 12,5 mm in diameter	Finger
	3	≥ 2,5 mm in diameter	Tool
	4	≥ 1,0 mm in diameter	Edge
	5	Protected against dust	Edge
	6	Fully protected against dust	Edge
Second characteristic figure		Against the penetration of water with harmful effects
	0	(unprotected)
	1	Vertical drop
	2	Falling water drops (15° inclination)
	3	Rain
	4	Splashing water
	5	Water jets
	6	Powerful waves or jets of water
	7	Temporary immersion
	8	Continuous immersion
	9	Water jets at high pressure and temperature
Additional letter			Against access to dangerous parts
	A		Back of the hand
	B		Finger
	C		Tool
	D		Edge
		Additional information
Supplementary letter	H	Suitable for high-voltage equipment
	M	Moving device during water test
	S	Device stopped during water test
	W	Special weather conditions

 

Protection against the ingress of solid foreign bodies - first digit
Degree of protection	Protection against penetration of solid foreign bodies		Protecting people against access to dangerous parts
IP1X	≥ 50 mm		Back of the hand
IP2X	≥ 12,5 mm		Finger
IP3X	≥ 2,5 mm		Tool
IP4X	≥ 1,0 mm		Cable
IP5X	Protected against dust
IP6X	Fully protected against dust

 

Protection against water ingress - second digit
Degree of protection	Protected against	Description of the test
IPX1	Drip water
IPX2	Drip water with 15° inclination
IPX3	Rain
IPX4	Water splashes
IPX5	Water jets
IPX6	Powerful waves or jets of water
IPX7	Temporary immersion
IPX8	Continuous immersion
IPX9	Water jets at high pressure and temperature

 

Broad indication of the environment in which the equipment will be use
	Luminaires placed in dry rooms
	Luminaires placed in damp rooms
	Devices subjected to rain (partially sheltered or not sheltered)
	Flushed appliances
	Devices subjected to washing with powerful jets or waves
	Devices subjected to temporary or permanent immersion
	Steam-cleaned appliances

Over time, the laboratory has acquired considerable experience in the field of planning and carrying out IP tests in an ad hoc manner, in order to be able to verify particular requirements and support the customer in activities that do not fully fall within the scope of the standards (e.g. IP tests on mechanical component enclosures).

A special feature of the laboratory is a dust chamber for the evaluation of IP5X, IP6X grades for large objects (1000 x 1000 x 2000h mm).