As part of our accredited testing scope, Eurofins CML can offer, either as part of a certification project or stand-alone testing, UKAS accredited testing and certification of the Degree of Protection of products against IEC 60529.
Degree of Protection testing, also referred to as IP testing, confirms the degree of protection an item has against the ingress of solids and liquids. By conducting the prescribed tests we measure the effect that the exposure has on the equipment and confirm the IP rating.
The IP rating is defined by a code that includes two numbers, such as IP65. The first numeral indicates the degree of protection against the ingress of solids and the second numeral against the ingress of liquids.
Offering fast project delivery time, our laboratory engineers can also give guidance on the sample requirements and preparation and, in the event of a test failure, support towards successful completion.
If you would like further information or a quotation then please contact us at cmlsalesinbox@cpt.eurofinseu.com or phone us on 0151 559 1160 and ask for IP services.
We also have a dedicated IP website with information on the range of tests we offer, research and development support, photos and videos of each test, a useful ‘determine your IP rating’ tool and much more. Click here to send us an enquiry or determine the IP rating required.
IP Ratings Chart
IPXX - 1st Digit
| Level | Effective against | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | – | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | >50 mm | Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part |
| 2 | >12.5 mm | Fingers or similar objects |
| 3 | >2.5 mm | Tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | >1 mm | Most wires, slender screws, large ants etc. |
| 5 | Dust protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment. |
| 6 | Dust tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on air flow. |
IPXX - 2nd Digit
| Level | Effective against | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | None | – |
| 1 | Dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect on the specimen when mounted in an upright position onto a turntable and rotated at 1 RPM |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted at 15° | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15° from its normal position. A total of four positions are tested within two axes. |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture, or b) A spray nozzle with a counterbalanced shield.
Test a) is conducted for 5 minutes, then repeated with the specimen tilted 90° for the second 5-minute test. Test b) is conducted (with shield in place) for 5 minutes’ minimum. |
| 4 | Splashing of water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture, or b) A spray nozzle with no shield.
Test a) is conducted for 10 minutes. Test b) is conducted (without shield) for 5 minutes’ minimum. |
| 5 | Water jets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | Powerful water jets with increased pressure | Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction, under elevated pressure, shall have no harmful effects. Found in DIN 40050, and not IEC 60529 |
| 7 | Powerful water jets with increased pressure | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). |
| 8 | Immersion, 1 m or more depth | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. The test depth and/or duration is expected to be greater than the requirements for IPx7, and other environmental effects may be added, such as temperature cycling before immerson. |
| 9 | Powerful high temperature water jets | Protected against close-range high pressure, high temperature spray downs.
Smaller specimens rotate slowly on a turntable, from 4 specific angles. Larger specimens are mounted upright, no turntable required, and are tested freehand for at least 3 minutes at distance of 0.15–0.2 m. There are specific requirements for the nozzle used for the testing. |