Differentiate IP65, IP67, IP69K from 4 aspects

2019-08-23

When searching for product specifications, you often encounter a manufacturer-defined IP rating.

What do these numbers mean? What does IP rating mean?

In this new blog post, we will focus on what IP ratings are and what specific products they can tell you.

1. IP rating is defined by international standards

The IP (or Ingress Protection) rating is defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 60529 to classify the sealing effect of a particular electrical enclosure to prevent foreign matter and moisture from entering. These foreign objects may include hands, fingers, tools, wires and dust. This international standard is intended to provide more information than fuzzy marketing terms such as "waterproof". Entry protection testing of lighting products according to IEC 60529 may be carried out by nationally recognized laboratories and NVLAP accredited laboratories.

2. The numbers in the IP rating indicate two meanings

The feature numbers in the IP rating indicate compliance with the conditions summarized in the table below. The first number indicates the degree of protection of the particular enclosure from the entry of hazardous parts and solid foreign objects. The second number indicates that the equipment inside the enclosure is protected from water intrusion. For example, an LED fixture rated at IP 65 is completely protected from dust ingress, but becomes unsafe if fully immersed in water.

3. There can be a third number in the IP rating

Additional numbers, usually additional letters, indicate additional protection that the attachment has:

D - Wire

F - Oil Resistant

H - High Voltage

M - Device Moving During Water Test

S - Device Standing Still During Water Test

W - Weather Conditions

The letter K is specified in DIN 40050-9 and not in IEC 60529.

The IP rating with the letter "K" (usually IP69K) is most prominent in the food processing industry or in industries where high levels of hygiene and cleanliness are critical. IP69K is dust-proof, high temperature, chemical and high pressure water. Housings with this rating can withstand rigorous high pressure flushing procedures. This special water intrusion test consisted of placing the product on a turntable at a speed of 5 ± 1 revolution per minute. The product is then injected at close range at a rate of about 4 gallons per minute, with a water pressure between 1160-1450 psi and a temperature of 176 °F (80 °C). The nozzle for spraying water is held at various angles between 4 and 6 inches from the outer casing of the product.

4. NEMA chassis ratings are IP rated

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association defines the NMA enclosure type with a NEMA standard number of 250. Although the two standards are not directly identical, the table on the right outlines that the IEC 60529 IP code is NEMA compliant. NEMA ratings also require additional product features and tests that are not addressed by IP ratings, such as icing conditions, hazardous areas, and cable knockouts.