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FEATURE CABLES & CONNECTORS When specifying


the right industrial connector for your application, ingress protection is a key priority.


IP ratIngs: a CoMPLete gUIde


C


onnectors are very often used in harsh environments that are regularly exposed to the elements, so when specifying and


purchasing connectors you need to know they will be able to withstand such conditions without their applications being compromised. The international IP (Ingress Protection)


Code is a rating system that has been specifically designed to provide this important information. IP ratings provide a benchmark of the IP performance of mechanical casings and electrical enclosure products, helping users to recognise how a component will perform under specific conditions. But as well as checking the IP ratings of the connectors, you need to ensure you have a good understanding of what they mean.


wHat are IP ratIngs?


When choosing an industrial connector, most buyers will be looking to find products that offer protection against potential contamination issues, including dust, water or intrusion from other foreign objects. However, the degree of protection offered by certain products will vary between connectors, depending on the following factors: • Shape • Design • Fastening mechanism • Cost. IP ratings are intended to provide a


standardised worldwide measurement of the exact degree of protection provided, based on rigorous testing by local and international regulators. The IP Code is published and overseen by the International Electrotechnical Commission as part of its IEC 60529 standards, and the ratings are aligned with local regulations in most regions, including the UK and EU. Customers can get a clear understanding of


exactly how much protection and resistance a connector can be expected to provide, with insights that are more detailed than a very basic ‘dustproof’ or ‘waterproof’ labelling.


2 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JUNE 2022 0 How to read IP ratIngs


IP ratings are easy to understand and consist of four letters or digits with a specific meaning. Reading them from left to right, they can be deciphered as:


IP


Code letters (standing for International Protection)


6


First digit denotes the level of protection against solid


particles and foreign objects To learn about the specific degree of


protection denoted by each digit, we outline these below:


First digit (protection against solid particles and foreign objects) X - Not tested or rated for protection of this type 0 - No protection against solid particles or foreign bodies


1 - Protection against contact by hand, or large solid foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 50mm


2 - Protection against contact by fingers, or any foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 12mm


3 - Protection against tools, wires or similar thin solid objects with a diameter greater than 2.5mm


4 - Protection against fine tools, nails, screws, large insects or other solid objects with a diameter greater than 1mm


5 - Full protection against all contact, and partial protection against damage from any amount of dust


6 - Complete vacuum-sealed protection against dust or any other solid particles.


Second digit (protection against water and moisture) X - No protection against water or moisture 1 - Protection against damage from vertically- dripping water, including condensation


2 - Protection against damage from vertically- dripping water, when the enclosure is tilted


7


Second digit denotes the level of protection against water and moisture


up to 15˚ off its standard vertical orientation


3 - Protection against damage from direct diagonal water sprays, when the enclosure is tilted up to 60˚ off its standard vertical orientation


4 - Protection against splashing water from any direction


5 - Protection against damage from low- pressure jets of water, from a nozzle size of up to 6.3mm, from any direction


6 - Protection against damage from powerful jets of water, from a nozzle size of up to 12.5mm, from any direction, and against water penetration in temporary flooding conditions


7 - Protection against damage when temporarily immersed in water for up to 30 minutes, at depths of between 15cm and 1m


8 - Protection against damage from long-term immersion in water under high pressure, within parameters specified by the manufacturer


9K - Protection against damage from high- pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs or steam cleaning processes. Choosing a connector with the correct


IP rating is vital for ensuring that your infrastructure is protected in any environmental and weather conditions. This will enable your components to operate safely and reliably for extended periods of time.


Northern Connectors www.northern-connectors.co.uk


But what are IP ratings and how


do you read them?


Scott Jones, general manager, Northern Connectors, explains


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