The issue of ensuring confidentiality of data is very important in the modern world, where it can be transmitted in various ways. A great many different mechanisms, both hardware and software, should prevent this. But how to judge their effectiveness? How confident can you talk about data security? Especially for this, the concept of “IP protection class” was invented.
Ingress protection
The literal translation of the term is "degree of protection." It is used as a classification system for the quality of the integrity of the shell of electrical equipment, as well as other devices. As tests, the protection against penetration of solid objects, water and dust is checked. In the Russian Federation, this check is performed in accordance with GOST 14254-96. This protection classification is used if it is necessary to verify the integrity of hazardous mechanical and live parts. Therefore, a requirement is made with regard to resistance to elements such as dust and water. The degree of protection of luminaires (IP) is the same as in devices that are under significant voltage.
Marking
To indicate how high a level of security this shell can provide, use two letters of the Latin alphabet (IP) and two numbers. The first speaks of protection against solid objects, and the second - about the presence of obstacles to the penetration of water. Maximum safety is provided by enclosures that are marked as IP68. This designation indicates that it is a dustproof device that can also withstand prolonged exposure to water under significant pressure. The IP protection class has an additional letter after the digits. Given the complexity and features of labeling, let's dwell on them in more detail.
First digit
The first digit is used to indicate the degree of IP protection provided by the shell itself from such factors:
- Prevents people from accessing dangerous parts, limiting the possible penetration of part of the body or of an object that is in the hands of a person.
- Protects internal contents from damage by external solid objects.
So, if the first digit is zero, then, therefore, the shell does not provide security in the cases mentioned above. This class of IP protection means that in fact it does not exist. A unit is used to indicate that it will be difficult to stick your hand inside the shell, 2 - even a finger will not pass, 3 - the tool will not help, and classes 4, 5, 6 mean that you can’t get access even with the help of a wire. But this is access to content, but what about external threats? So, if 1, 2, 3 or 4 is indicated on the shell, then only objects with, respectively, the diameter of which does not exceed 50, 12.5, 2.5 and 1 millimeter can get into it. If it’s number 5, then it is guaranteed partial, and 6 - full protection against dust. This degree of protection of the IP shell may be needed for devices where even maintenance personnel should not look. But, despite the apparent tightness, there is no guarantee at all that the same safety will be provided with respect to the destructive effect of water. Therefore, the classification has two numbers.
Second digit
It indicates the level of protection of IP equipment from the damaging effects of water. So, if it costs zero, then there is no need to talk about any security. "Unit" means that the equipment is protected from water droplets that fall vertically from above. The "deuce" will provide safety against liquid dripping from above if the shell deviates by an angle of up to 15 degrees. "Three" guarantees you protection from rain. "Four" will protect the equipment from continuous spraying. "Five" will be able to protect the contents of the shell from water jets. "Six" will protect against strong directed fluid flows. "Seven" provides safety for short-term immersion of the shell in water. "Eight" means that protection is guaranteed even for prolonged exposure to liquids. But the presence of a high second number still does not mean that the shell is safe and will be able to protect its contents from dust or various penetrations. So, it can be made in the form of a membrane through which moisture does not really get. But if you pick up the wire ... Although this is a separate story, we will not dwell on it.
Extra letters
But what about the values that come after the numbers? Additional letters are used to indicate the level of protection in cases where real security is higher than indicated by numbers. So, the following symbols are used:
- A - penetration by hand is impossible.
- B - the finger will not get inside.
- C - it is impossible to penetrate the instrument.
- D - do not get inside even with wire.
- N - high-voltage electrical equipment is protected, when working with which it is necessary to observe increased caution.
- S / M - when checking the performance of the water resistance test, the device worked / did not work accordingly.
- W - provides protection against various weather conditions (except for critical ones, such as a tornado and the like).
The peculiarity of this designation is that each subsequent letter can be applied only if the shell meets all the previous ones. So the degree of protection IP only increases with the alphabet.
Standard extension
If we take the European Union standard DIN 40050-9, then there is an extension to the IP69K level. It is designed for high temperature high pressure washers. So, they not only provide protection from dust, but also withstand significant water pressure. Initially, this standard was developed for machines that need to be cleaned regularly (concrete mixers, dump trucks, etc.), but now it has found application in other industries. So, the IP69K protection class is used in the food and chemical industries of the economic sector.
Conclusion
To summarize, we can say that the best option is with the highest rate, because the numbers say that it has the highest IP protection class. But there is a significant problem: the higher it is, the more expensive the shell will cost. Therefore, here you have to make a choice between price and quality. Therefore, it is necessary that the IP protection class be selected for specific conditions. That is, before buying, you should evaluate the degree of threat and choose a shell according to it. Although, of course, if there is a desire and opportunity, you can not stint and choose the most expensive IP protection class.