When buying electronic devices, most users pay attention to technical documentation. However, not all parameters can be understood by a simple layman. For example, IP degree of protection. The decoding of this term is in no way connected with computer technology, as it might seem from the very beginning, but refers to the level of security of a particular device.
Definition
What is IP protection? Decryption (GOST 14254-96) is carried out according to the official definition and means the ability of the device shell to resist penetration into objects. In other words, this is an indicator of how firmly and holistically the device is made and how long it can resist the external environment. The main component of the IP indicator is protection. The decoding of the term, though tricky, but upon closer examination, even a child will understand it.
This indicator has the form IPXX, where X is a certain figure indicating the level of protection against a certain type of threat. Sometimes X is left in the technical specifications if tests for this type of protection have not been carried out.
First digit
Now let's take a closer look at the degree of IP protection. Decryption will be made from left to right. So, the first digit is responsible for the penetration of solid objects into the frame of the device.
- 0 - lack of any protection.
- 1 - you can stick large objects into the device or it is not protected from deliberate intervention.
- 2 - protection against objects more than 1.25 centimeters, for example, fingers.
- 3 - more than 0.25 centimeters. Cables and tools.
- 4 - over 1 millimeter. Small wires and similar objects.
- 5 - dustproof. Such a device is fully protected from any external influences. Dust entering the interior cannot interfere with its performance.
- 6 - dustproof. A device that does not let anything pass inside.
Thus, if you see the designation IP4X in the documentation, this means that the device is protected from damage that parts of the body could cause to it, and is also safe to use. What does the second X mean in IP protection? Decryption below.
Second digit
It should be noted, speaking about the degree of protection of IP, the decryption is quite simple. The second X means the value according to which, the device is protected from penetration into any liquids.
- 0 - lack of any protection.
- 1 - protection against vertically falling drops.
- 2 - a similar shell, but the operability of the device will not be affected if it is tilted by 15%.
- 3 - falling spray. The shell of the device provides protection from light rain.
- 4 - spray. Similar to the previous version, however, moisture resistance is provided on all sides.
- 5 - protection against jets from any direction.
- 6 - waves. If you spray the device with water from a bucket, then this will not harm him.
- 7 - immersion. A good example is a moisture-proof watch that can be used underwater at a shallow depth (up to 1 meter).
- 8 - the device remains operational during prolonged immersion in water.
Both parameters affect each other when considering the aggregate degree of IP protection. Decryption sometimes leads to the fact that the device, protected from moisture at level 4, automatically provides dust protection (5).
Letter
The last letter in the encoding may be an extra letter. It is not always written and indicates narrow and specific areas of application of the device. The first four letters are responsible for protecting hazardous parts of the device.
- A - from the back of the hand.
- In - from the fingers.
- C - tools.
- D - wire.
Thus, if the device can be protected only from large objects and has the IP1X mark, but at the same time the hazardous parts are protected from penetration even by wire, then in the end the instruction will indicate IP1XD. The following four letters indicate the test conditions and general characteristics of the device.
- N - high voltage equipment.
- M - The device was turned on during water tests.
- S - the device was turned off during a fluid test.
- W - provides protection against extreme weather conditions.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the extension of the German IP69K standard, which is responsible for high-temperature pressure washing. Initially, vehicles could serve as an example, but now similar technologies are used in other industries.