IP (Ingress Protection Rating) is a system for classifying the degrees of protection of the shell of equipment operating from electric current, against the penetration of moisture and solid objects in accordance with the international standard IEC 60529 (analogues of DIN 40050, GOST 14254-96). Everything that is connected with this should be considered in more detail.
general characteristics
IP (degree of protection) implies a method that is tested by standard test methods, provided with a shell that prevents access to hazardous parts, and also protects against penetration of water or solid objects from the outside. Foreign bodies as a concept are tools and fingers relating to current-carrying elements. Here IP (degree of protection) implies not only the security aspect, but also the absence of harmful effects that can affect the operation of elements. To determine the level of protection there is a special marking affixed to any device that is powered by electricity.
IP (degree of protection) is indicated on the devices by means of an international protection mark, after which there is a pair of numbers. The first of them means protection against the penetration of dense objects, and the second guarantees an obstacle to water, for example, IP54. If you have knowledge about the correspondence of certain numbers to specific classes, you can understand how and what to connect correctly. The degree of protection IP20 is the minimum class of protection against the possibility of fingers touching live parts. The maximum class is IP68, which means that you have a dustproof device that can be under water for quite a long time. Safety and specification of devices is ensured only in those cases when all the required procedures in terms of their maintenance are carried out on time. It is important to fully follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
We understand the specifications
If we consider such a thing as IP (degree of protection), then the first figure in the characteristic indicates the protective ability that is provided by the shell. It prevents access to parts of increased danger, restricting or preventing the penetration into the shell of a certain part of the person’s body or object, which may be in his hands, as well as equipment located inside the shell, from the penetration of various objects from the outside.
First parameter
If the first digit in the characteristic is 0, then such a shell is not a guarantee of protection against the penetration of various objects from the outside, or from access to dangerous parts. The number 1 at this place indicates the possibility of protection against access to the back of the hand to elements that are dangerous to humans, 2 - with your finger, 3 - with any tool, 4-6 - with wire. In addition, the number 6 is a guarantee of complete protection against dust.
Second IP parameter (degree of protection)
Under the second characteristic figure is the level of equipment protection from the negative effects of water provided by a special shell. If it is a value of 0, then a complete lack of protection is implied. Under the number 1 is the protection against drops falling vertically, 2 - vertically falling drops when deviating from the shell by 15 degrees, 3 - protection against rain water; 4 - providing protection against complete splashing, 5 - from water jets, 6 - from strong jets, 7 - from the effects associated with temporary immersion in water, 8 - from effects that are associated with prolonged exposure to water. These two numbers are indicated after IP (degree of protection). A table of parameter values, which contains the above information, allows you to determine what level is involved in each particular case.
Nuances
Quite often, in the presence of protection against liquid ingress, one can talk about the possibility of automatically providing protection against foreign objects and penetration. For example, if the device has a liquid protection value of 4, that is, against direct spray, then we are talking about automatic protection against ingress at level 5. The degree of protection IP65 guarantees protection against water jets and fine dust.
The most common classes are:
- The degree of protection IP 20 implies that the devices can be used indoors when it comes to a normal environment with no strong pollution. Typical areas of application include warm and dry industrial production workshops, office premises, theaters, shops.
- The degree of protection IP 21 / IP 22 allows the use of devices in industrial rooms without heating and under awnings, which is ensured by the presence of protection against dripping and condensation of water. Their use in the conditions described in the previous paragraph is allowed.
- Degree of protection IP 23 allows the use of lamps or other devices in industrial premises without heating, as well as outside buildings. Naturally, they can also be installed in the places described above.
- The degree of protection IP 24 indicates the possibility of using devices outside buildings in conditions of temperature and humidity fluctuations. Their use is allowed in the places described in the previous paragraphs.
- Degree of protection IP 44 allows the use of devices in outdoor or outdoor lighting when it comes to lighting fixtures. All are protected against splashes, raindrops and small solids.
- Degree of protection IP 50 means that the device can be used in dusty environments. Such equipment usually has protection against rapid internal contamination. Such devices must not be used in conditions of high humidity.
- Degree of protection IP 54 is the standard class for waterproof design. Devices are allowed to be washed, while negative consequences are completely eliminated. If we are talking about lamps, they are often used in rooms where there is a high content of moisture and dust, as well as under various awnings. Very often this class is typical for recessed LED lights.
- The degree of protection IP 60 indicates that, for example, the luminaire is completely protected from dust accumulation, while it can be used in a rather dusty environment. In this design, devices are extremely rare. Usually, where such a class is required, devices are installed in which the degree of protection is IP 65 / IP 66, which are related to jet protection, that is, water jets under pressure can be used to clean them. Although in this case we are not talking about complete waterproofness, the penetrated moisture is not capable of exerting a harmful effect on their functioning.
- The degree of protection IP 67 / IP 68 implies the possibility of immersion in water for a long time. Lamps of this class can be immersed in pools or fountains for their lighting.
How to understand which device is in front of you?
Typically, the packaging of any electrical device that is characterized by even a minimal degree of protection against external influences contains information about this. It turns out that if there is no information on this either on the box or in the instruction, then we are talking about absolute insecurity corresponding to IP20.
additional information
A letter is sometimes found on the marking that characterizes the degree of protection of people from access to elements representing a danger, and it is indicated if, in reality, the level of protection exceeds that described by the first digit. Only protection against water is indicated, and the first digit was replaced by "X". So, there are a few letters that are used in this field. The letter “A” conceals the ability of the sheath to protect from access by the back of the hand to dangerous parts, “B” with a finger, “C” with a tool and “D” with a wire. Under the auxiliary letter "H" hiding high-voltage equipment. Marking “M” indicates that the device was in working condition during water tests. The letter "S" refers to the immobility of the parts of the device during immersion in water. "W" guarantees protection against adverse weather conditions.
The degree of protection of the shell may be designated by any additional letter only if it fully meets the lower level parameters. The highest at the moment is IP69K, which is used for high temperature pressure washing. Such cases have not only increased protection against dust, but also the ability to withstand high water pressure during washing. Initially, this standard was developed for road vehicles, especially those requiring regular cleaning, but now it is actively used in other industries - the chemical and food industries.
conclusions
This or that degree of protection of the device shows where and in what working conditions you can use it.