Protection class
The degree of protection indicates the suitability of electrical equipment (e.g. devices , lights and installation material ) for various ambient conditions, and also the protection of people against potential hazards when using them. Degrees of protection are IP00 to IP69K.
The type of protection must be distinguished from the electrical protection class . While the protective art the protection of active parts against contact, penetration of foreign matter and water, and the impact resistance define (so-called. Housing protection), which protective describes class not measures against dangerous voltages to be touched, operably under tension stationary conductive parts of resources.
Basics
In many applications, electrical and electronic devices have to work safely for many years under difficult environmental conditions. In addition to the permissible temperature range , the corrosive load - this means resistance to aggressive media in industry such as moisture , water , vapors , acids , alkalis , oil or fuels - is a restriction on use. In addition, the ingress of foreign bodies and dust , as well as the contamination with bacteria and viruses (in medical technology), or the mechanical stress due to impact action for a reliable function and safe use can be prevented.
The test procedures for the IP protection classes try to simulate common error possibilities. For example, IP2X can be checked using a simulated finger, IP3X represents protection against access with tools, IP4X protection against access with wire. In practice, as is also the case in EU directives e.g. B. for vehicles and the following standards is described, appropriate IP test probe sets are used to ensure that no access to certain parts is possible.
IP protection class (contact protection, dust, water)
With regard to their suitability for various environmental conditions, electrical equipment is designed with suitable degrees of protection, expressed using IP codes . The abbreviation IP stands for International Protection . In the English-speaking world, the abbreviation is sometimes also translated as Ingress Protection (protection against intrusion).
standardization
There are various German and international standards for the IP codes.
- DIN EN 60529 (VDE 0470-1): 2014-09 Degrees of protection through housing (IP code) (IEC 60529: 1989 + A1: 1999 + A2: 2013); German version EN 60529: 1991 + A1: 2000 + A2: 2013 , previously VDE 0470-1
- ISO 20653: 2013 Road vehicles - Degree of protection (IP code) - Protection against foreign objects, water and contact - Electrical equipment describes the current status for road vehicles with extensions of the coding of the degree of protection compared to earlier DIN standards.
All standards are valid, but differ in the revision status and in detail. When specifying IP codes, it is necessary to specify the reference standard for unambiguous coding.
Since the meanings of the degrees of protection within the respective standards have also changed compared to previous editions, it is also necessary to always state the number and date of publication of the standard in order to establish a clear reference.
With ISO 20653 of August 15, 2006 , the withdrawn DIN 40 050 Part 9 was adopted almost word for word. The only difference between the two regulations is the composition of the dust ( test dust ).
nomenclature
The letters IP, which are always present in the designation of the degree of protection, are appended with two code numbers (generally without spaces). These indicate the scope of protection a housing offers with regard to contact or foreign bodies (first code number) and moisture or water (second code number).
If one of the two code numbers does not have to or should not be specified, it is replaced by the letter X (for example "IPX1"). If necessary, defined letters can be added to the combination of digits to describe the degree of protection more precisely. ISO 20653, for example, provides the letter K for marking the equipment of road vehicles for individual code numbers.
First digit of the IP code - protection against foreign bodies and contact
| 1st code number | Meaning: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 20653 | DIN EN 60529 | Protection against foreign bodies | Protection against contact |
| 0 | no protection | no protection | |
| 1 | Protected against solid foreign objects with a diameter of ≥ 50 mm | Protected against access with the back of the hand | |
| 2 | Protected against solid foreign objects with a diameter of ≥ 12.5 mm | Protected against access with a finger | |
| 3 | Protected against solid foreign objects with a diameter ≥ 2.5 mm | Protected against access with a tool | |
| 4th | Protected against solid foreign objects with a diameter ≥ 1.0 mm | Protected against access with a wire | |
| 5K | 5 | Protected against dust in harmful quantities | complete protection against contact |
| 6K | 6th | dustproof | complete protection against contact |
More detailed explanations can be found in the respective standards.
Note: While DIN EN 60529 defines IP5X and IP6X, these two types of protection are called IP5 K X and IP6 K X in ISO 20653 Part 9 .
Second digit of the IP code - protection against water
| 2nd code number | Meaning: Protection against water |
|
|---|---|---|
| ISO 20653 | DIN EN 60529 | |
| 0 | no protection | |
| 1 | Protection against dripping water | |
| 2 | Protection against falling dripping water when the housing is inclined up to 15 ° | |
| 3 | Protection against falling spray water up to 60 ° from the vertical | |
| 4th | Protection against splash water on all sides | |
| 4K | Protection against splash water on all sides with increased pressure | |
| 5 | Protection against water jets (nozzle) from any angle | |
| 6th | Protection against strong water jets | |
| 6K | Protection against powerful water jets under increased pressure, specifically for road vehicles | |
| 7th | Protection against temporary immersion | |
| 8th | Protection against permanent immersion | |
| 9 | Protection against water with high pressure / steam jet cleaning, especially agriculture | |
| 9K | Protection against water during high pressure / steam jet cleaning, specifically for road vehicles | |
More detailed explanations can be found in the respective standards.
Note: DIN EN 60529 does not define IPX9K. ISO 20653 does not define IPX9, only IPX9K.
Up to degree of protection IPX6 (with DIN EN 60529) or IPX6K (with ISO 20653), the lower degrees of protection are included. In the case of the higher degrees of protection, this does not automatically apply to water protection degrees 7, 8 and 9K. If inclusion of a lower degree of protection is required, this is indicated by a double designation, e.g. IPX6K / IPX9K.
Code letter for the 3rd digit - access to dangerous active parts
According to DIN EN 60529, this code letter can be used optionally, more detailed explanations can be found there.
| Code letter | meaning |
|---|---|
| A. | Protected against access to dangerous active parts with the back of the hand |
| B. | Protected against access to dangerous active parts with a finger |
| C. | Protected against access to dangerous active parts with a tool |
| D. | Protected against access to dangerous active parts with a wire |
Code letter for the 4th digit
According to DIN EN 60529, this code letter can be used optionally, more detailed explanations can be found there.
| Code letter | meaning |
|---|---|
| H | High-voltage equipment |
| M. | Checked when moving parts are in operation |
| S. | Checked when moving parts are at a standstill |
| W. | Tested under specified weather conditions |
IK protection class (shock resistance)
In the past, in France in particular, an optional third digit of the IP code was used to classify the protection with regard to the action of mechanical forces. This has since been replaced by the IK code or the IK impact resistance level . However, both methods of classification cannot be clearly transferred.
Typical degrees of protection
In industrial plants IP54 is typically used in switch cabinets IP20. In the automotive sector, installation in the dry room of the vehicle makes sense up to IP55 (possibly with specifications for the installation position, so that an “umbrella” principle is created). IP6K6K, IP6K7, IP6K8 and IP6K9K according to DIN 40 050 Part 9 are used in construction machinery, in disaster control, for defense technology, openly accessible installation locations and in the engine compartment of road vehicles. Combinations of the degrees of protection are also sometimes used. IPX6 and IPX7 are specified for devices that are used in open cockpits of watercraft. They have to function reliably even in continuous rain and seawater overflowing .
Often (for example with controls in local public transport or on elevators) vandalism must also be taken into account, in which case IP5X is appropriate, even if the control circuits work with low voltage and there is no increased risk of contamination.
Complete protection against accidental contact is provided from IP5X, as from this level of protection an unintentional intrusion is prevented.
literature
- DIN EN 60529 ( VDE 0470-1): 2000-09 Degrees of protection through housing (IP code) (IEC 60529: 1989 + A1: 1999); German version EN 60529: 1991 + A1: 2000 . VDE publishing house, Berlin
- Gerhard Kiefer: VDE 0100 and practice . 1st edition. VDE-Verlag, Berlin and Offenbach 1984, ISBN 3-8007-1359-4 .
- Werner Hörmann, Bernd Schröder: Protection against electric shock in low-voltage systems - Comment from DIN VDE 0100-410 (VDE 0100-410): 2007-06. VDE series of publications Volume 140, VDE-Verlag, Berlin, ISBN 978-3-8007-3190-9 .
- Dieter Vogt, Herbert Schmolke: Electrical installation in residential buildings . 7th edition. VDE-Verlag, Berlin / Offenbach 2010, ISBN 978-3-8007-3029-2 .
- DIN 40050-9: 1993-05: Road vehicles: IP protection classes . Protection against foreign bodies, water and contact. Electrical equipment . May 1993th edition. Beuth-Verlag, Berlin 1993.
- ISO 20653: 2006 (E): Road vehicles - Degrees of protection (IP-Code) - Protection of electrical equipment against foreign objects, water and access . 2010-08-15 edition. ISO, 2006.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ J. Lienig, H. Brümmer: Electronic device technology . Springer Vieweg, 2014, ISBN 978-3-642-40961-5 , pp. 42-43.
- ↑ ISO 20653: 2013: Road vehicles - Degrees of protection (IP Code) - Protection of electrical equipment against foreign objects, water and access
- ↑ DIN EN 60529; VDE 0470-1: 2014-09 Degrees of protection through housing (IP code) (IEC 60529: 1989 + A1: 1999 + A2: 2013); German version EN 60529: 1991 + A1: 2000 + A2: 2013 .
- ↑ ISO 20653: 2013-02
- ↑ Road vehicles - Degrees of protection (IP-Code) - Protection of electrical equipment against foreign objects, water and access , only available in English
- ↑ DIN 40 050-9: 1993-05 road vehicles; IP degrees of protection; Protection against foreign bodies, water and contact; Electrical equipment, date of issue: 1993-05
- ↑ https://www.elektropraktiker.de/ep-2001-10-828-829.pdf?eID=tx_nawsecuredl&falId=5682&hash=483306c363336ffd62461f903c8a9ea4