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EN 60529 outlines an international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies (i.e. tools, dust, fingers) and moisture. This classification system utilizes the letters “IP” (“Ingress Protection”) followed by two or three digits. (A third digit is sometimes used. An “x” is used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPX4 which addresses moisture resistance only.)
The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree that persons are protected against contact with moving parts (other than smooth rotating shafts, etc.) and the degree that equipment is protected against solid foreign bodies intruding into an enclosure.
| Digit | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| 0 | No special protection |
| 1 | Protection from a large part of the body such as a hand (but no protection from deliberate access) from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter. |
| 2 | Protection against fingers or other object not greater than 80mm in length and 12mm in diameter. |
| 3 | Protection from entry by tools, wires, etc., with a diameter of thickness greater than 1.0mm. |
| 4 | Protection from entry by solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 1.0mm |
| 5 | Protection from the amount of dust that would interfere with the operation of the equipment. |
| 6 | Dust tight. |
The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture (e.g. dripping, spraying, submersion, etc.)
| Digit | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| 0 | No special protection |
| 1 | Protection from dripping water. |
| 2 | Protection from vertically dripping water. |
| 3 | Protection from sprayed water. |
| 4 | Protection from splashed water. |
| 5 | Protection from water projected from a nozzle |
| 6 | Protection against heavy seas, or powerful jets of water. |
| 7 | Protection against immersion. |
| 8 | Protection against complete, continuous submersion in water. |
IP69K is a special designation for devices subjected to high-pressure and temperature wash-downs, such as those found in food processing. Its use identifies protection against hot-steam-jet cleaning per EN 60529 and DIN 40050-9. The rating’s K suffix means the sensor must withstand direct application of extremely high-pressure water jets. Water at a pressure of 100 bar (1,450 psi) blasts the sensor at angles of 0, 30, 60 and 90° for 30 sec at each point (120 sec total time) at a temperature of 80°C. Absolutely no water ingress is permitted in devices that obtain this rating.
See also:
Food & Beverage Industry
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