Today we are looking at the letter “I” as part of our A to Z of Ritherdon campaign. For this, we have chosen IP Rating/Testing.
What is IP Testing?
IP Testing is how Ritherdon, and other metal manufacturers, test products to see how well enclosures can protect electrical components from external factors such as dirt and water ingress.
This testing allows consumers to understand the products they use and allows them to adapt their purchase accordingly.
After the IP Tests are completed, an enclosure is given an IP Rating which manufacturers and customers use to identify the level of protection a specific enclosure provides.
(Check out our video below to see our in-house IP Testing in action.)
What Is An IP Rating?
The IP Rating is a universally recognized standard that defines objectively the level of ingress protection an enclosure provides, rather than stating an enclosure is ‘dustproof and waterproof’.
The IP Code has two ratings, the first numeral is for solids and the second for liquids.
For both ratings, zero stands for no protection. When an X is used, it signifies that no testing has been carried out, for example when an IP Rating reads IP2X it simply stands for an IP Rating 2 for solids with no testing performed for liquids.
Many factors can inform an IP Rating from the enclosure’s design, shape, hinges used, gaskets that seal around the door and the body etc. For example, IP Testing Ritherdon RB cabinets and RH Pillars both with and without louvre units, gave different IP Ratings each time.
How IP Ratings Class Solids:
The scale used for solids or foreign objects being able to enter an enclosure is from 1 to 6, where 1 is protection against the ingress of large objects (defined as greater than 50mm) and 6 being the highest protection, where the enclosure is dust tight.
It also describes the protection for a person from being able to access the hazardous parts housed inside an electrical enclosure.
How IP Ratings Class Liquids:
The scale of protection from water or moisture is from 1-8 and establishes different types of ingress of water, varying from splashes of water to higher pressure jets of water (1-6) to protection from a prolonged immersion of water (7-8).
See our homemade chart below to see how IP Ratings are quantified.
Should you have any inquiries or projects you’d like to discuss in more depth, feel free to call us at 01254 819 100 and press 1 for Sales.
Alternatively, you can reach us via email at our centralised inbox sales@ritherdon.co.uk through our reliable ticketing system or via the online chat feature on our website, available during and after office hours.
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