طرق اختبار وتقييم IP
In industrial production, especially electronic and electrical products that can be used outdoors, there will be different levels of dustproof and waterproof requirements for equipment. The enclosure protection level (IP code / dustproof and waterproof) of automation instrumentation equipment is an important indicator to ensure the normal operation of the equipment and the protection of product safety and reliability. Then, when choosing and using instrument products, we must pay special attention to the protection level of instruments and meters, which is of great significance for correct product selection, product installation and use. Here we will introduce the relevant knowledge of IP rating.
What is an IP rating?
An IP rating is a way of showing how effective an item is at blocking out foreign bodies. The IP stands for Ingress Protection and the following digits such as IP65,reflect protection from solid particles and water respectively.
The first digit ranges from 0–6
- IP0X: The product is not protectedagainst any physical contact or objects.
- IP1X: Only protected from objects larger than 50 مم. You won’t accidentally stick your hand into this product, but you can still easily get, say, your finger in. You probably shouldn’t.
- IP2X: Protected from any object larger than 12.5 مم. This now includes fingers.
- IP3X: Protected from things above 2.5 مم, which includes most tools and thick wires.
- IP4X: Protected from anything bigger than 1 مم.
- IP5X: Dust resistant. Some dust may get through, but it won’t be enough to damage the product.
- IP6X: “None shall pass!” This product is fully dust tight.
The second digit ranges from 0–9.
- IPX0: The product offers no special protectionfrom water.
- IPX1: Can resist water that drips verticallyonto the product.
- IPX2: Can resist water that hits the product at a 15° angleor less.
- IPX3: Can take water sprays of up to 60°.
- IPX4: Is resistant to water splashes from any direction.
- IPX5: Can resist a sustained, low-pressure water jet spray.
- IPX6: Can resist high-pressure, heavy spraysof water.
- IPX6K: Can resist water jets of extremely high pressure. Rarely used.
- IPX7: Can be submerged up to 1 meterin water for 30 minutes.
- IPX8: Can be submerged deeper than 1 meter. The exact depth is specified by the manufacturer.
- IPX9K: Resists high-pressure, high-temperature spraysat close range. A very special case that’s dictated by a separate standard. Rarely used.
فضلاً عن ذلك, when the level of protection requirements is higher than the level indicated by the above characteristic numbers, the extended range will be expressed by adding an appendix letter after the first 2 digits, which also needs to meet the respective requirements of these additional letters.
Testing method
IP rating is only officially given to a product that undergoes special testing by a certified, independent company. Here, I will introduce several methods of waterproof testing
1) IPX1
Method name: vertical drip test
Test equipment: drip test device and test method
Sample placement: Place the sample on the rotating sample stage at 1r/min according to the normal working position of the sample, and the distance from the top of the sample to the drip port is not more than 200mm
Test conditions: dripping amount is 1.0+0.5mm/min; test duration: 10min
2) IPX2
Method name: dripping test at 15° inclination
Test equipment: drip test device and test method
Placement of the sample: Make one of the samples at an angle of 15° to the vertical line, and the distance from the top of the sample to the drip port is not more than 200mm. After each side is tested, change the other side for a total of four times.
Test conditions: dripping amount is 3.0+0.5mm/min; test duration: 4×2.5min for a total of 10min
3) IPX3
Method name: rain test
- Swing pipe water spray test
Test equipment: pendulum-type spray water splash test
Sample placement: Choose a swing tube with an appropriate radius, so that the height of the sample table is at the diameter of the swing tube, and place the sample on the sample table so that the distance from the top to the sample water jet is not greater than 200mm, and the sample table does not rotate.
Test conditions: The water flow is calculated according to the number of water spray holes in the swing pipe, and each hole is 0.07 L/min. When spraying water, the water spray from the water spray holes in the 60° arc sections on both sides of the midpoint of the pendulum tube is sprayed to the sample. The sample to be tested is placed in the center of the semicircle of the pendulum tube. The swing tube swings 60° on both sides of the vertical line, a total of 120°. Each swing (2×120°) is about 4s.
Test pressure: 400kPa; Test time: continuous water spray for 10min; sample rotates 90° after 5min test
2. Sprinkler water spray test
Test equipment: hand-held water spray test device,
Specimen placement: Make the parallel distance from the top of the test to the nozzle of the hand-held nozzle between 300mm and 500mm
Test conditions: baffles with counterweights should be installed during the test, and the water flow should be 10L/min
Test time: Calculated according to the surface area of the shell of the tested sample, each square meter is 1min (excluding installation area), at least 5min.
4) IPX4
Method name: splash test;
- Swing tube splash test
Test equipment and sample placement: choose a swing tube with an appropriate radius, so that the height of the sample table is at the diameter of the swing tube, and place the sample on the sample table so that the distance from the top to the sample water jet is not more than 200mm, and the sample table Do not rotate.
Test conditions: The water flow rate is calculated according to the number of water spray holes in the swing tube, and each hole is 0.07L/min; the water spray area is the water spray from the water spray holes in the 90° arc sections on both sides of the swing tube midpoint and sprayed to the sample. The sample to be tested is placed in the center of the semicircle of the pendulum tube. The swing tube swings 180° on both sides of the vertical line, about 360° in total. Each swing (2×360°) is about 12s.
Test time: the same as the above paragraph (3) IPX3 paragraph a (ie 10 min).
- Nozzle Splash Test
Test equipment: hand-held water spray test device,
Specimen placement: The baffle plate with counterweights installed on the equipment should be removed, so that the parallel distance from the top of the test to the water outlet of the hand-held sprinkler is between 300mm and 500mm.
Test conditions: During the test, a baffle with a counterweight should be installed, and the water flow should be 10L/min.
Test time: calculated according to the surface area of the tested sample shell, 1min per square meter (excluding installation area) at least 5min.
5) IPX5
Method name: water spray test
Test equipment: The inner diameter of the water jet of the nozzle is 6.3mm
Test conditions: The distance between the test sample and the water spout is 2.5~3m, and the water flow is 12.5L/min (750L/h);
Test time: Calculated according to the surface area of the shell of the tested sample, each square meter is 1min (excluding installation area) at least 3min.
6) IPX6
Method name: strong water spray test;
Test equipment: the inner diameter of the water jet of the nozzle is 12.5mm;
Test conditions: The distance between the test sample and the water spout is 2.5-3m, and the water flow is 100L/min (6000L/h);
Test time: Calculated according to the surface area of the shell of the tested sample, each square meter is 1min (excluding installation area) at least 3min.
D=6.3mm waterproof protection grade 5 and 6K;
D=12.5mm waterproof protection grade 6.
7) IPX7
Method name: short-time immersion test;
Test equipment: immersion tank.
Test conditions: The size should be such that after the sample is placed in the immersion tank, the distance from the bottom of the sample to the water surface is at least 1m. The distance from the top of the sample to the water surface is at least 0.15 م. Test time: 30min.
8) IPX8
Method name: continuous diving test;
Test equipment test conditions and test time: negotiated by both the supply and demand (buyer and seller). Its severity should be higher than IPX7.