What are IP and NEMA Ratings and What Levels of Protection do they Offer?
QUESTION
What protection is provided by the IP65 and NEMA 4X sealing ratings available with some Commtest products?
ANSWER
IP65 provides complete protection from dust, and also provides protection against low pressure jets if the water comes from all directions - limited ingress permitted.
The NEMA 4X rated protective enclosure is equivalent to an IP66 rating, providing complete protection from dust and splashing water.
Commtest's vbOnline surveillance system includes an optional NEMA 4X rated protective enclosure. The vb3000 instrument is available with optional an IP65 rated protective enclosure. Non-IP rated vbSeries® instruments would most likely meet the IP54 standard.
NEMA Protection Standards
NEMA the US-based National Electrical Manufacturers Association, define national standards for sealing/waterproofing enclosures, similar to the IP rating system. You can learn more about the NEMA standard for electrical equipment enclosures by visiting their website.
IP Standards
Ingress Protection (IP) specifies the environmental protection an enclosure provides. IP ratings are developed by the European Committee for Electro Technical Standardization (CENELEC) (described IEC/EN 60529).
The IP rating normally has two (or three) numbers:
- Protection from solid objects or materials
- Protection from liquids
- Protection against mechanical impacts (commonly omitted)
The table below summarizes the IP ratings and definitions. IP65 is standard on the new vbSeries and optional on some vb3000 instruments. The IP65 rating is highlighted.
|
1st number: |
Definition |
2nd number: |
Definition |
|
0 |
No protection |
0 |
No protection |
|
1 |
Protected against solids objects over 50 mm (e.g. accidental touch by hands |
1 |
Protected against vertically falling drops of water |
|
2 |
Protected against solids objects over 12 mm (e.g. fingers) |
2 |
Protected against direct sprays up to 15° from the vertical |
|
3 |
Protected against solids objects over 2.5 mm (e.g. tools and wires) |
3 |
Protected against direct sprays up to 60° from the vertical |
|
4 |
Protected against solids objects over 1 mm (e.g. tools, wires and small wires |
4 |
Protected against sprays from all directions - limited ingress permitted |
|
5 |
Protected against dust - limited ingress (no harmful deposit) |
5 |
Protected against low pressure jets if water from all directions - limited ingress permitted |
|
6 |
Totally protected against dust |
6 |
Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on shipdecks - limited ingress permitted |
|
7 |
|
7 |
Protected against the effects of temporary immersion between 15 cm and 1 m. Duration of test 30 minutes |
|
8 |
|
8 |
Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure |
FAQ ID: 18229 Last Reviewed: 19 October 2006