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To maintain safety and performance under arduous operating conditions
and to reduce maintenance, products are designed to minimise the
ingress of dust and water. The test equipment is designed to assess
the degree of protection (IP rating) in accordance with IEC 598
(BS4533) and IEC 529 (BS 5490).
Water ingress testing includes hose testing from a pumped supply.
Water flow rate is controlled to assess IP X5 (protected against
water jets) and IP X6 (against heavy seas). Other equipment allows
testing for IP X7 (watertight), IP X3 and IP X4 (rain-proof and
splash-proof) and IP X1 and IP X2 (drip-proof).
Explanation of IP numbers for degrees of
protection
The designation to indicate the degrees of protection consists
of the characteristic letters IP followed by two numerals (the "characteristic
numerals") indicating conformity with the conditions stated.
The first numeral indicates the degree of protection against the
ingress of solids, and the second numeral indicates the degree of
protection against the ingress of water.
| SCN* |
Degree of protection |
| IP
- 0 |
No
special protection. |
| IP - 1 |
Protected against
vertical water droplets. |
| IP
- 2 |
Protection
against falling water to a maximum of 15º from the vertical. |
| IP
- 3 |
Protection
against rain to a maximum of 60º from the vertical (rain
proof). |
| IP
- 4 |
Protected
against water sprays (splash proof). |
| IP
- 5 |
Protected
against water jets (jet proof). |
| IP
- 6 |
Protected
against powerful water jets. |
| IP
- 7 |
Protected
against the effects of temporary immersion in water. |
| IP
- 8 |
Protected
against the effects of permanent immersion in water. |
* second characteristic numeral (SCN)
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