IP code system-second characteristic numerals

IP code is a system to indicates the protection provided by enclosure against access to hazard parts, ingress of solid foreign objects, ingress of water and so on. Refers to IEC60529, the second characteristic numerals indicates the degrees of protection against ingress of water, and show as numerals from 0 to 8. Omitting first characteristic numerals, the degrees of waterproof can be show as below:

IPX0: no protection

IPX1: protected against vertically falling water drops.

IPX2: protected against vertically f all water drops when enclosure titled up to 150.

IPX3: protected against spraying water.

IPX4: protected against splashing water.

IPX5: protected against water jet.

IPX6: protected against powerful water jet.

IPX7: protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water.

IPX7: protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water.

The test for IPX1 and IPX2 are made with a drip box which produces flow of water drops over the enclosure. The enclosure under test should put in the support base, and the base should be smaller than enclosure under test. The difference between IPX1 and IPX2 is the flow of water drops, and the IPX2 requires the enclosure is test for 2.5 min in each of four fixed positions of tilt rather turn the base as IPX1. The duration of the both tests is 10 min.

The test for IPX3 and IPX4 are made with the oscillating tube or spray nozzle. The tests   require the oscillating tube is provided with spray holes over an arc of 600 (IPX3) or 1800 (IPX4), the enclosure under test is placed in the center point of the semicircle. The numbers of spray hole is depends of the tube radius (refers to IEC60529 table 9), but the tube radius can be not more than 1.6m. The test duration for IPX3 and IPX4 are 5 min and 10 min separately. If oscillating tube can not wet all parts of the enclosure under test, the hand-held spray nozzle should be used.

The test for IPX5 and IPX6 are made with 6.3mm and 12.5mm nozzles separately. The delivery rate of IPX5 test is 12.5l/min, and IPX6 test is 100l/min. The minimum test duration for both test is 3 min, the distance from nozzle to enclosure surface is between 2.5m and 3m.

The test for IPX7 and IPX8 are made with the immersion tank. IPX7 indicates temporary immersion between 0.15m and 1m, the enclosure should be immersed in water completely for 30 min. If the lowest point of enclosures with a height less than 850mm is located 1m below the surface of the water. If the highest point of enclosures with a height equal to or greater than 850mm is located 0.15m below the surface of the water. IPX8 indicates continuous immersion, the test conditions are subject to agreements between user and manufacturer.

All the tests are conducted with fresh water. Pego can provide lab design accordingly.