IP Enclosure Ratings and Industry Standards
IP Rating, or Ingress Protection Rating, represents a code that manufacturers specifies to clients, so they know how well the product is protected against intrusions of solid particles or liquids. This rating is consistent internationally to keep consistency in the enclosures. The rating system is defined to the standard of EN 60529 (British – BS EN 60529:1992).
The first digit in the rating code explains the solid particle protection (such as wires, dust etc), and the second digit explains the moisture protection (from condensation to jet streams). If there is an X instead of a number this means it has not been rated yet. The ratings range from IP00 to IP69K, from no protection to complete protection.
Solids:
0 – No protection assured
1 – Protection assured against solid objects that are over 50mm (e.g. hands).
2 – Protection assured against solid objects that are over 12.5mm (e.g. fingers).
3 – Protection assured against solid objects that are over 2.5mm (e.g. wires).
4 – Protection assured against solid objects that are over 1mm (e.g. tools and small wires).
5 – Protected against quantity of dust that could interfere with the normal operation of the product but not fully dust tight. Complete protection against solid objects.
6 – Fully dust tight and complete protection against solid objects.
Liquids:
0 – No protection assured.
1 – Protection assured against vertical drops of water.
2 – Protection assured against vertical drops of water when the product is tilted up to 15° from its normal position.
3 – Protection assured against direct sprays of water at any angle up to 60°.
4 – Protection assured against water splashing from any angle.
5 – Protection assured against water jets projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) from any angle.
6 – Protection assured against powerful water jets projected by a nozzle (12.5mm) from any angle.
7 – Protection assured against water immersion at a depth between 15 cm and 1 meter for maximum 30 minutes.
8 – Protection assured against long periods of water immersion at a depth of over 1 meter.
9K – Protection assured against the effects of high-pressure water jets and steam cleaning.
The most common rating we see in England for outdoor and indoor enclosure cabinets are the IP44, IP55 and IP65, these are the ones you most commonly see around on the side of the road.
How can Mainframe help?
At Mainframe we offer all levels of integration according to your requirements and our cabinets are tested at certified test-houses before shipping them off to site. We also have a wide range of of-the-shelf cabinets to choose from, all sent with fast shipping. Our dedicated design team is here to help you out with any design related queries you may have or can assist with own design after your own requirements.
If you need advice on which cabinet is right for your project or you have a special design in mind, please give us a call on 01702 443800 and speak with one of our experts today.
