IP Ratings — Your Complete Guide — How to read an IP Rating
Introduction
IP ratings are given to any product that requires electricity or has moving parts or both. The IP rating contains a range of information within it, with each letter and number possessing its own meaning, and each refers to its ability to withstand the elements during “use”. This is very important for some products in some applications. But not in all.
For many consumer products and industrial equipment types, encasements or enclosures that protect internal electrical parts and machinery are another consideration for their overall quality rating.
Specifically, electrical enclosures are rated using their own standard, known as the IP rating.
The IP rating contains a range of letters and numbers within it, with each letter and number possessing its own meaning listed below. You will be able to decipher what conditions a piece of equipment or object can withstand and what it cannot, how it has been tested, and whether it is reliable in dusty or moist environments. You will also learn if your person is safe from accidental contact with potentially hazardous equipment.
IP Rating Chart
This powerful combination of letters and numbers are applied everywhere, from the laptop or phone you’re reading off to the equipment that built your home. They are even applied to components within components such as actuators — the devices that help create movement powered by water, air or electricity.
Those devices — actuators — are found in even more items and equipment around you and the industries you work within than you could ever initially think.
If you’re responsible for using actuators, understanding the IP rating is crucial in ensuring you select the appropriate actuator for an effective and efficient output, whether for a TV stand, Car trunk opener or yacht hatch lift.
This article will break down what the IP rating is, how to understand it, its comparison to alternate ratings, its applications, its relevance to actuators and the different testing methods. It also goes through common terms like “weatherproofing”, “water-resistant” and “waterproof”.
Read on for more.
Manufacturers for all types of electrical devices need an IP rating to assure whoever is procuring them that their enclosure can offer adequate protection. Of course, that necessary protection differs depending on the purpose of the enclosure.
There are, however, some broad conclusions one can draw on the appropriate IP rating for actuators.
What are Linear actuators?
A linear actuator is a device that helps it achieve mobility by converting electrical, air or hydraulic energy into a mechanical force.
Actuators are used in applications that are used to make something move/lift/slide/drop, and basically create movement. Its this application that drives your need for certain IP ratings of an Actuator.
Dust-ridden environments
Actuators could quite easily be found in dusty environments, generated from any number of materials, whether textile, paper, or general manufacturing activity.
Actuators by design can still perform well in this environment, including rod-style and rod-less linear actuators. In addition, further design features like wipers and pressure ports can enhance the protection level against dust ingression on machinery.
Actuator IP ratings for dusty environments?
In the factory environment, indoor, a minimum IP rating of IP54 is appropriate so it is nearly dust-tight and can provide protection against splashing water.
Of course, the dustier the environment, the higher that numerical first digit should be. For instance, if there is woodwork taking place or in outdoor and possibly windy conditions. The outdoor environment should provide further protection from liquid ingressions, such as high powered jet spray in case of heavy rain.
Liquid environments
Many actuators can be found around water and may project water onto other machinery or items. Even when the actuator is not fully immersed in liquid, it can still receive water vapor from any spray its projects, so it needs a level of protection from liquid according to the context and environment it is in.
Actuator IP ratings for liquid environments?
Actuators with a rating of IP65 would be sufficient for a minimal vapor contact but for actuators that carry water projectile devices.
Some actuators like those that move items could end up in the pathway of water projectile and spray. In that case, an IP66 or IP67 rating is appropriate.
In other cases, actuators could be found in equipment where frequent washdowns occur, particularly in food-handling environments where sanitation and cleanliness are of paramount importance. In that case, you are looking for the highest IP68 and IP69k ratings to prevent contact with aggressive chemicals causing ingressions to internal mechanical components.
Waterproof Testing
Waterproof ratings require more rigorous testing against water ingressions, including against high-powered water jets and total immersion, which can afford items, products and components the higher IP ratings — IPX7, IPX8, IPX9k.
Typical products that must pass an immersion test include scuba diving gear, specific clothing like Goretex jackets and industrial equipment used for a rugged activity like mining. Military equipment must also undergo rigorous immersion testing.
IPX7 immersion test example
An item rated IPX7 must withstand being immersed in up to 1 meter of water, with any ingression of water proving not to cause any harm to the product. Test details may vary in temperature, salinity, chemical addition or time immersed, but a typical timeframe is 30 minutes for this protection level.
IPX8 immersion test example
To achieve an IPX8 rating the item must prove to be able to withstand being immersed in water over 1 meter deep. Equipment designed for waterproofing tends to be sealed airtight, but that doesn’t necessarily mean water might not seep through. However, the immersion test should also determine whether any seepage causes harmful effects.
Why immersion testing is important
While some equipment must be waterproof as a matter of functionality, waterproofing is an added feature for other items such as cell phones or cameras.
A waterproof stamp backed up by an IP rating is a powerful marketing tool that gives manufacturers a competitive edge and has pushed more manufacturers in different fields to push the envelope by designing more waterproof enclosures.
Summary
In conclusion, getting to grips with the IP rating is one thing. However, the key is to appreciate the IP rating you should adopt for any particular item or piece of equipment before jumping in and going for the highest rating. After all, a higher degree of protection is great, but you could be missing out on other benefits if you are holding out for a higher IP rating where one isn’t necessary, and of course, there is a cost implication to doing so.
To get to grips with the IP rating you need, you must appreciate the context the item is being used. Factors to consider are how much dust or moving solids and water are present, how vulnerable the item or equipment is, the potential harm to it if exposed to these elements, and the potential harm to you should you incidentally make contact with it.
Also, remember that some companies will market their goods waterproof when it is a value-add rather than a necessity for your usability.
The IP rating is particularly important for actuators, but this is where there is also an especially high degree of variability.
Determine what your actuator is used for, whether it will be immersed in water or surrounded by flying wood, for example.
Therefore, determining what IP rating you need is your starting point to choosing a product and not something you necessarily need the manufacturer to guide you towards.
For further information on FIRGELLI® Linear Actuator please visit our main website here.
Originally published at https://www.firgelliauto.com on September 22, 2021.
Author: Robbie Dickson