Intrusion prevention testing, also known as IP code testing

Protection testing is a form of enclosure testing.Testing involves determining the level of protection against solids and liquids.Protection standards specify levels of dust and water resistance.The level of protection is called the IP code or entry protection level.IP standard for international protected markings.

Electrical enclosure testing is very important.NEMA 250 recognizes various levels of enclosures.

For more information, see ourElectrical Enclosure Ratings.Ultimately, water intrusion testing equipment is critical to the safety of users and consumers.

Solid particle testing

The susceptibility of a product to the ingress of solid particles is determined using calibrated IP test equipment.Solid foreign objects may include fingers and other solid objects.It can also include using sand testing andDust test.

To test larger solid objects, IP test facilities will use calibrated items of certain sizes.These items are also called accessibility probes to see if there are openings that would allow penetration.

For dust testing, place the test item in the dust chamber.Dust is calibrated material that is agitated so that it is suspended within the chamber and covers the test item.After the dust ingress test is completed, the exterior of the enclosure will be thoroughly cleaned.Then open the case and see how much dust is inside.

Water ingress test

There are several ways to determine if a box is waterproof.Water resistance testing can include liquids at various levels, volumes and test durations.Product canWithstands the drip test.They can also conduct driving rain tests orWater spray test.Rain or rain while drivingWater jet testingThis can be done from a garden hose or fire hose.

Immersion testIt is also an integral part of the entrance protection IP test.Immerse the test item in water.Immersion depth and exposure time are defined in international standards.Different products must have anti-immersion properties to meet the requirements of IP test standards.

Liquids for IP testing can also be adjusted.Products shipped on board may need to be tested in cold water.Liquids can also be corrosive.For example, we completed some ocean simulations.Products are immersed in cold salt water to simulate ocean conditions.There are few IP code labs that can perform this test.

How to determine IP code?

IP codes have two digits.

Codes range from IP0X to IPX9.

The first digit is between 0 and 6. It is entry protection for entities.

The second number ranges from 0 to 9. This is a protective measure against the ingress of liquids.The two digits that go into the protection mark code are completely independent of each other.

Some devices only require the IP rating to be one of two digits.If only a liquid and not a solid has been tested, its solids number can have an "x" in it.This is why the tests are sometimes called IPX tests.Given these parameters, there will be 70 entry protection code combinations.

Provide some IP code examples:

IP 67 tested: This test item is dustproof and provides immersion protection up to 1 meter.

IPx4 tested: This product is not tested on solids but provides protection against splash water.For more information, check out our " Popular IP Code Standards"List.

What is IP69K testing?

IP code use case testing is different from the rest.IP 69KThe protection level represents a dust-proof, high-pressure and high-temperature water spray casing.The IP69K rating is also considered steam injection tested.This grade provides the highest level of enclosure, enclosure and seal testing.

What are the most common chassis protection standards?

IEC 60529 / EN 60529Is one of the most popular enclosure testing standards.NEMA 250protectionLevelAlso very popular.Some other popular standards are IEC 60598 andISO 20653.There is a cross-reference table between NEMA and IP codes, which has been included below.