IP testing at TRaC's UKAS accredited test laboratory can determine a products susceptibility to solid particle (including dust) ingress and liquid (water) ingress.
The standard we most commonly use at TRaC for ingress protection is BS EN 60529. Within this standard it outlines an international classification system to test the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of solid particles and liquid. This classification system utilises the letters "IP" ("Ingress Protection") normally followed by two digits.
IP Ratings
The first digit of the IP rating represents the level of protection from solid ingress, and the second digit represents the level of protection from liquid ingress according the table below:
| | IP rating | Level of protection |
Solid ingress
|
IP1X |
Protected against solid objects greater than 50mm diameter |
IP2X
|
Protected against solid objects greater than 12.5mm diameter
|
IP3X
|
Protected against solid objects greater than 2.5mm diameter
|
IP4X
|
Protected against solid objects greater than 1.0mm diameter |
| IP5X |
Dust protected |
| IP6X |
Dust tight (with a vacuum applied to the product) |
| Liquid ingress |
IPX1
|
Protected against dripping water
|
IPX2
|
Protected against dripping water when tilted up to 15
|
IPX3
|
Protected against spraying water
|
IPX4
|
Protected against splashing water
|
IPX5
|
Protected against water jets
|
IPX6
|
Protected against powerful water jets
|
IPX7
|
Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water
|
IPX8
|
Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water
|
The most frequently requested IP ratings are:
IP34, IP44, IP45, IP54, IP55, IP65, IP66.
Waterproof and immersion testing
A variety of waterproofness tests can be offered by TRaC to simulate the range and this type of condition that a product may be exposed when in service.
Ingress Protection testingThe testing parameters for each are as follows:
| Drip Proof |
Drip Tray Area: 0.77m x 0.77m |
| Fine Mist |
Maximum Working Area: 0.76m x 0.76m x 0.5m |
| Spray Proof |
Maximum Item Size: 3.0m3 |
| Driving Rain |
Maximum Item Size: 3.0m3 (single pass) |
| Icing/Freezing Rain |
Maximum Working Area: 4.0m x 2.5m x 2.5m
Minimum Temperature: -50°C |
Our accreditation for waterproofness testing includes to BS EN 60068, BS 3G100, DEF STAN 00-35, DEF STAN 07-55, DEF STAN 08-123, MIL STD 810 and RTCA DO 160standards.
The testing parameters for immersion testing are as follows:
| Max Item Size (m) | Area (m) | Max Depth (m) | Max Equivalent Depth (m) |
| 0.3 dia x 0.3 high |
2.0 x 2.0 |
22 |
60 (using pressure vessel) |
Our accreditation for immersion testing is to BS EN 60068, DEF STAN 00-35, DEF STAN 07-55 and TR 2130 standards.