IP waterproof and dustproof rating

In industrial production, especially for electronic and electrical products that can be used outdoors, there are different levels of dust and water resistance requirements for the equipment. The enclosure protection level (IP code/dustproof and waterproof) of automation instrument equipment is an important indicator to ensure the normal operation of the equipment and the safety and reliability of the product protection. So, when choosing and using instrument products, special attention should be paid to the protection level of the instruments, which is of great significance for correct product selection, installation, and use. Below, we will provide a detailed introduction to the relevant knowledge of IP protection levels.

What is the IP protection level?

The EN60529 standard is widely used internationally to define the sealing performance of electrical equipment such as inkjet printers. This standard quantifies different categories of protection levels, mainly including protection against solid foreign objects invading the shell (including tools, fingers, or dust, etc.) and protection against water (water entering the shell through condensation, flushing, immersion, etc., causing harmful effects on equipment).

The two digits after the IP indicate the protective strength of the device casing against solid foreign objects and water intrusion. The first digit represents the level of dust and foreign object intrusion prevention for the electrical equipment, and the second digit represents the degree of sealing against moisture and water intrusion. The larger the digit, the higher the protection level.

For example, the protection level is IP54, where IP is the marking letter, the number 5 is the first marking number, and 4 is the second marking number. The first marking number represents the contact protection and foreign object protection level, and the second marking number represents the waterproof protection level.

The protection level represented by the two marked numbers is shown in the following table:

In addition, when the level of protection requirements is higher than the level represented by the above characteristic numbers, the extended range will be expressed by adding an attachment letter after the first two digits, which also needs to meet the requirements of these additional letters.

Detailed classification of IP waterproof levels

The following waterproof grades refer to internationally applicable standards such as IEC60529, GB4208, GB/T10485-2007, DIN40050-9, ISO20653, ISO16750, etc

1. Scope

The waterproof test includes the second characteristic number from 1 to 8, which is the protection level code from IPX1 to IPX8

2. Waterproof test contents of various levels

（1）IPX1

Method name: Vertical Drip Test

Experimental equipment: drip test device and its test method

Sample placement: Place the sample in its normal working position on a rotating sample table at a speed of 1r/min, with the distance from the top of the sample to the drip outlet not exceeding 200mm

Experimental conditions: drip rate of 1.0+0.5mm/min; Test duration: 10 minutes

(2)IPX2

Method name: Tilt 15 ° Drip Test

Experimental equipment: drip test device and its test method

Sample placement: Place one side of the sample at a 15 ° angle to the vertical line, with a distance of no more than 200mm from the top of the sample to the drip outlet. After each surface is tested, switch to another surface for a total of four times

Experimental conditions: drip rate of 3.0+0.5mm/min; Test duration: 4 × 2.5 minutes for a total of 10 minutes

(3) IPX3

Method name: Rain test

a. Swing tube water pouring test

Test Equipment: Swing Tube Water Splashing Test

Sample placement: Select a swing tube with an appropriate radius, so that the height of the sample table is at the diameter position of the swing tube. Place the sample on the sample table so that the distance from its top to the sample spray nozzle is not greater than 200mm, and the sample table does not rotate.

Experimental conditions: The water flow rate is calculated based on the number of spray holes in the swing pipe, with each hole being 0.07 L/min. When pouring water, the water sprayed from the spray holes on both sides of the midpoint of the swing tube in a 60 ° arc segment is directed towards the sample. The sample is placed at the center of the half circle of the pendulum tube. The swinging tube swings 60 degrees on both sides along the vertical line, for a total of 120 degrees. Each swing (2 × 120 °) takes about 4 seconds.

Test pressure: 400kPa; Test time: Continuous watering for 10 minutes; Rotate the sample 90 ° after 5 minutes of testing

b. Spray nozzle type water spraying test

Experimental equipment: Handheld water splashing test device,

Sample placement: Ensure that the parallel distance between the top of the test and the handheld nozzle is between 300mm and 500mm

Test conditions: A baffle with a balance weight should be installed during the test, with a water flow rate of 10L/min

Test time: Calculated based on the surface area of the tested sample shell, 1 minute per square meter (excluding installation area), with a minimum of 5 minutes.

(4) IPX4

Method name: Splash test;

a. Swing tube splash test

Test equipment and sample placement: Select a swing tube with an appropriate radius, so that the height of the sample table is at the diameter position of the swing tube. Place the sample on the sample table so that the distance from its top to the sample spray nozzle is not greater than 200mm, and the sample table does not rotate.

Experimental conditions: The water flow rate is calculated based on the number of spray holes in the swing pipe, with each hole being 0.07L/min; The spraying area is the water sprayed from the spraying holes within the 90 ° arc segments on both sides of the midpoint of the swing pipe towards the sample. The sample is placed at the center of the half circle of the pendulum tube. The swinging tube swings 180 ° on both sides along the vertical line, for a total of approximately 360 °. Each swing (2 × 360 °) lasts about 12 seconds.

Test time: Same as IPX3 clause a in (3) above (i.e. 10 minutes).

b. Spray nozzle splash test

Experimental equipment: Handheld water splashing test device,

Sample placement: The baffle with balanced weight installed on the equipment should be removed, so that the parallel distance from the top of the test to the handheld nozzle spray port is between 300mm and 500mm.

Test conditions: A baffle with a balance weight should be installed during the test, with a water flow rate of 10L/min.

Test time: calculated based on the surface area of the tested sample shell, with a minimum of 5 minutes per square meter (excluding installation area).

(5)IPX4K

Test name: Pressure Swing Tube Rain Test

Experimental equipment: swinging tube rain test

Sample placement: Select a swing tube with an appropriate radius, so that the height of the sample table is at the diameter position of the swing tube. Place the sample on the sample table so that the distance from its top to the sample spray nozzle is not greater than 200mm, and the sample table does not rotate.

Experimental conditions: The water flow rate is calculated based on the number of spray holes in the swing pipe, with each hole being 0.6 ± 0.5 L/min. The spraying area is the water sprayed from the spraying holes within the 90 ° arc segments on both sides of the midpoint of the swing pipe towards the sample. The sample is placed at the center of the half circle of the pendulum tube. The swinging tube swings 180 ° on both sides along the vertical line, for a total of approximately 360 °. Each swing (2 × 360 °) lasts about 12 seconds.

Test pressure: 400kPa

Test time: After 5 minutes of testing, the sample is rotated 90 degrees

Note: The spray pipe has 121 holes with a diameter of 0.5mm;

--Center 1 hole

--Core area 2 layers (12 holes per layer, 30 degree distribution)

--4 outer rings (24 holes per ring, 15 degree distribution);

--A movable cover.

Spray pipes should be made of copper zinc alloy (brass).

（6）IPX5

Method name: Spray test

Experimental equipment: The inner diameter of the nozzle's spray port is 6.3mm

Experimental conditions: Keep the distance between the test sample and the water spray nozzle at 2.5-3m, with a water flow rate of 12.5L/min (750L/h);

Test time: Calculated based on the surface area of the tested sample shell, with a minimum of 3 minutes per square meter (excluding installation area).

（7）IPX6

Method name: Strong water spray test;

Experimental equipment: The inner diameter of the nozzle's spray port is 12.5mm;

Experimental conditions: Keep the distance between the test sample and the water spray nozzle at 2.5-3m, with a water flow rate of 100L/min (6000L/h);

Test time: Calculated based on the surface area of the tested sample shell, with a minimum of 3 minutes per square meter (excluding installation area).

D=6.3mm waterproof protection level 5 and 6K;

D=12.5mm waterproof protection level 6.

（8）IPX7

Method name: Short term immersion test;

Experimental equipment: immersion tank.

Test conditions: The size of the sample should be such that the distance from the bottom of the sample to the water surface is at least 1m after being placed in the immersion tank. The distance from the top of the sample to the water surface should be at least 0.15m. Test time: 30min.

（9）IPX8

Method name: Continuous diving test;

Test equipment, test conditions, and test time: to be agreed upon by the supply and demand (buyer and seller) parties Its severity should be higher than IPX7.

（10）IPX9K

Method name: High pressure injection test

Experimental equipment: The inner diameter of the nozzle's spray port is 12.5mm;

Test conditions: Spray angle: 0 °, 30 °, 60 °, 90 ° (4 positions); Number of spray holes: 4; Sample stage speed: 5 ± 1r. p.m; Distance of 100-150mm, 30 seconds for each position; Flow rate of 14-16 L/min, spray pressure of 8000~

10000kPa , The water temperature requirement is 80 ± 5 ℃

Test time: 30 seconds for each position, 4 seconds for a total of 120 seconds.

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