IP protection ratings
The protection rating of an enclosure is indicated by the abbreviation IP (Ingress Protection) followed by a two-digit code. The first digit has two meanings: protection for persons and equipment. The second digit has only one meaning: protection against water.
As standard, almost all ROLEC enclosures are designed to protection classes IP 65 and IP 66, thereby meeting a high industrial standard for series-produced products: this means the enclosures offer protection against the ingress of water and dust.
In addition, ROLEC standard enclosures made of aluminium and polyester can be supplied in protection classes IP 67 and IP 69K on request.
Definition of the first key figure
Scope of protection: Protection against accidental contact over a large area with live and internal moving parts, e.g. with the hand, but no protection against deliberate access to these parts. Protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects with a diameter greater than 50 mm.
Scope of protection: Protection against contact with active or internal moving parts. Protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects with a diameter greater than 12 mm.
Scope of protection: Protection against contact between live or internal moving parts and tools, wire, etc. with a thickness of more than 2.5 mm. Protection against the penetration of solid foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 2.5 mm.
Scope of protection: Protection against contact with active or internal moving parts using tools, wires or similar objects with a thickness greater than 1 mm.
Definition of the second key figure
Degree of protection: Vertically falling droplets must not have any damaging effects if the enclosure is inclined up to an angle of 15° either side of vertical.
Scope of protection: Water sprayed at an angle of up to 60° on either side of the vertical must not have any adverse effects.
Degree of protection: Water that is splashed against the enclosure from any direction must not have any damaging effects.
Degree of protection: Water sprayed onto the housing from any direction must not cause any adverse effects.
Degree of protection: Water directed at the housing from any direction in a powerful jet must not cause any harmful effects.
Degree of protection: Water must not enter in quantities sufficient to cause damage when the enclosure is temporarily immersed in water under standardised pressure and time conditions.
Note
The protection ratings specified for the ROLEC enclosure refer to the unmodified standard enclosure as supplied. In particular, with regard to water protection (second digit), the test conditions are met if no water, or only harmless quantities of water, have penetrated the enclosure within the specified test period. As ageing is not taken into account in the protection class tests, the maintenance of the protection class over the service life of the device is not guaranteed. Temperature changes, such as those that can occur outdoors, are also not taken into account. Such temperature changes lead, amongst other things, to negative pressure inside the enclosure and, under certain circumstances, moisture may be drawn through the sealing zones. ROLEC offers ready-to-fit pressure equalisation elements.
IP ratings
The IK protection rating describes an enclosure’s resistance to mechanical stress and impact. It is defined by the designation ‘IK’ followed by a two-digit number. The higher the IK rating, the more resistant the enclosure is to external influences such as knocks or impacts. ROLEC enclosures meet high IK protection ratings – depending on the model – and are therefore also suitable for demanding industrial environments.
Protection class IK: Impact resistance rating
The IK protection rating is a measure of the resistance of enclosures for electrical equipment to mechanical stress, particularly impact loads. The IK code is internationally standardised in accordance with IEC 62262 (corresponding to EN 62262, formerly EN 50102). There are ten protection levels, depending on the impact energy that the enclosure can withstand.
