IEC 60529 Dust Test

IP Protection Rating Test Introduction

IP stands for Ingress Protection. The IP protection rating system provides a method for classifying the level of protection against dust, water, and impact for electrical equipment and enclosures. This system is widely recognized by most European countries and was drafted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

The international standard is IEC 60529.

The protection rating is expressed with "IP" followed by two digits, which indicate the level of protection. Occasionally, the digits are followed by two letters.

The first digit indicates the size of solid objects that the equipment is protected against, or the extent of protection against contact with hazardous parts inside the enclosure (this is relevant only if the rating is followed by additional letters, such as IP45A). The protection level is represented by numbers 0-6 (see Table 1 for details).

The second digit indicates the degree of water protection, represented by numbers 1-9, as detailed in Table 2.

If letters follow the digits:

1) The first letter indicates the level of protection against access to hazardous parts by different parts of the human body, with codes A, B, C, and D, as detailed in Table 3. This letter is sometimes omitted, meaning protection against specific body parts is not considered.

2) The second letter indicates special test conditions, with codes H, M, S, and W, as detailed in Table 4.

If the first letter is omitted, it is placed directly after the second digit.

Table 1

Letter Code | Meaning

0 | No protection

1 | Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm

2 | Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm

3 | Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm

4 | Protection against solid objects larger than 1.0mm

5 | Protection against dust (dust is not entirely prevented, but the amount that enters does not interfere with normal operation or safety)

6 | Protection against dust ingress

Table 2

Letter Code | Meaning

0 | No protection

1 | Protection against vertically falling water drops (10 min)

2 | Protection against vertically falling water drops when the equipment is tilted up to 15° (2.5 min per position)

3 | Protection against water spray (1 min/m², at least 5 min, up to 10 min), water sprayed at an angle of up to 60° from the vertical should not cause damage

4 | Protection against water splashing from any angle (180° from the vertical)

5 | Protection against water jets (6.3mm nozzle); water projected from any angle should not cause damage (1 min/m², at least 3 min)

6 | Protection against powerful water jets (12.5mm nozzle); water projected from any angle should not cause damage (1 min/m², at least 3 min)

7 | Protection against temporary immersion in water (0.15m above and 1m below the water level for 30 min)

8 | Protection against continuous immersion in water (conditions specified by the user)

9 | Protection against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets; water projected from any angle should not cause damage (30s per position, 1 min/m², at least 3 min)

Table 3

Letter Code | Meaning

A | Protection against access to hazardous parts with the back of the hand (test probe: 50mm sphere, with some clearance from hazardous parts)

B | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a finger (test probe: 12mm diameter, 80mm length, with some clearance from hazardous parts)

C | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a tool (test probe: 2.5mm diameter, 100mm length, with some clearance from hazardous parts)

D | Protection against access to hazardous parts with a wire (test probe: 1mm diameter, 100mm length, with some clearance from hazardous parts)

Table 4

Letter Code | Meaning

H | High-voltage equipment

M | Water protection when the device's moving parts are in operation

S | Water protection when the device's moving parts are stationary

W | Suitability for use under specified weather conditions and providing additional protective features or processes

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