Norma Ip
Norma Ip
Norma Ip
IND-Support MTA
Michael Vollmer / 07.09.2005
IP-PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL-PRODUCTS
International Standard IEC 60529 outlines an international classification system that describes the
sealing characteristics of electrical equipment. The classification system defines the level of protection
provided enclosures to prevent the ingress of foreign objects and moisture into the electrical equip-
ment. The class system uses the “IP” code, or “Ingress Protection” code, to define the level of seal.
The IP code uses a system of numerical digits to define the level of both foreign object and moisture
protection. Although the IP class is primarily used for establishing the level of seal in electrical equip-
ment, it is adapted herein for determining level of seal in passive electrical components.
An “x” is used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPx4 which addresses
moisture resistance only.
Note: EN 60529 does not specify sealing effectiveness against the following: mechanical dam-
age of the equipment; the risk of explosions; certain types of moisture conditions, e.g. those
that are produced by condensation; corrosive vapours; funus; vermin
IP 2 3 C S
Identification letter
Additional letter
Final letter
3 - Protects the equipment within the housing against damaging effects of water that is sprayed
from every direction against the housing
C - Protects people who are handling tools with a diameter of 2.5mm and larger, and a length
less than 100mm, against access to dangerous components (the tool can be inserted into the
housing at full length)
S - Is tested to provide protection against damaging effects of water ingress, while all
components of the equipment are in standstill position
Enclosure Types
On the US Market there is established the NEMA coding instead of IP. The NEMA coding is not com-
parable 1:1 to the IP system.
In Non-Hazardous Locations, the specific enclosure Types, their applications, and the environmental
conditions they are designed to protect against, when completely and properly installed, are as
follows:
Type 1 - Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against
incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling
dirt.
Type 2 - Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against
incidental contact with the enclosed equipment, to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt,
and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 3 - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and that will be undamaged by the external
formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 3R - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt, rain, sleet, and snow; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice
on the enclosure.
Type 3S - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and in which the external mechanism(s)
remain operable when ice laden.
Type 4 - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water; and
that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 4X - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water, and corro-
sion; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 5 - Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against
incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt;
against settling airborne dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and to provide a degree of protection against
dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 6 - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during occasional temporary
submersion at a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the en-
closure.
Type 6P - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at
a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 12 - Enclosures constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection
to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and against dripping and light
splashing of liquids.
Type 12K - Enclosures constructed (with knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection
to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection
against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and against dripping and light
splashing of liquids.
If the installation is outdoors and/or additional protection is required by Table 2-1 and Table 2-2, a
combination-type enclosure is required
* For Class III type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings see the National Electrical Code, Article 500.
** Due to the characteristics of the gas, vapor, or dust, a product suitable for one Class or Group may not be suitable for an-
other Class or Group unless marked on the product.
Type 7 - Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class I, Division 1,
Groups A, B, C, or D as defined in NFPA 70.
Type 8 - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use in hazardous locations classified as
Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D as defined in NFPA 70.
Type 9 - Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class II, Division
1, Groups E, F, or G as defined in NFPA 70.
Type 10 - Enclosures constructed to meet the requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administra-
tion, 30 CFR, Part 18.
IEC Publication 60529 Classification of Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures provides a system
for specifying the enclosures of electrical equipment on the basis of the degree of protection provided by
the enclosure. IEC 60529 does not specify degrees of protection against mechanical damage of equip-
ment, risk of explosions, or conditions such as moisture (produced for example by condensation), corro-
sive vapors, fungus, or vermin. The NEMA Standard for Enclosures for Electrical Equipment does test
for environmental conditions such as corrosion, rust, icing, oil, and coolants. For this reason, and be-
cause the test and evaluations for other characteristics are not identical, the IEC Enclosure Classification
Designations cannot be exactly equated with the enclosure Type numbers in this Standard.
The IEC designation consists of the letters IP followed by two numerals. The first characteristic numeral
indicates the degree of protection provided by the enclosure with respect to persons and solid foreign
objects entering the enclosure. The second characteristic numeral indicates the degree of protection
provided by the enclosure with respect to the harmful ingress of water.
Table A-1 provides an equivalent conversion from the enclosure Type numbers in this Standard to the
IEC Enclosure Classification Designations. The enclosure type numbers meet or exceed the test re-
quirements for the associated IEC Classification; for this reason Table A-1 cannot be used to convert
from IEC Classifications to enclosure Type numbers.
Table A-1
Conversion of Enclosure Type numbers to IEC Classification Designations
Cannot be used to convert IEC Classification Designations to NEMA Type numbers
Enclosure IEC Enclosure
Type Number Classification Designation
1 IP10
2 IP11
3 IP54
3R IP14
3S IP54
4 and 4X IP56
5 IP52
6 AND 6P IP67
12 AND 12K IP52
13 IP54
This comparison is based on tests specified in IEC Publication 60529.
This information is only an approximate comparison and can not be used to transmit 1 by 1!!!
BBA330/335 IP69k
* Due to approval reasons the IP protection in the Certificates is mentioned as IP68 + IPx9k