IP VFD Enclosure Ratings
The Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are a standard created by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). It is a European-based standard that has become more common in North America.
In this system, the first number in the code classifies and rates the degrees of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and other contaminants. The second number classifies and rates the protection against liquid ingress. It does not include corrosion or other considerations like the NEMA ratings do.
For a more in-depth look into the most common ratings in VFD systems, check out our article here.
Solid Particle Protection (First Digit)
| Level | Object Size Protected Against | Effective Against |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | --- | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | >50mm | Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part |
| 2 | >12.5mm | Fingers or similar objects |
| 3 | >2.5mm | Tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | >1mm | Most wires, screws, etc. |
| 5 | Dust Protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact |
| 6 | Dust Tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact |
Liquid Ingress Protection (Second Digit)
| Level | Protected Against | Testing for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not Protected | --- |
| 1 | Dripping Water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) still have no harmful effect. |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an up to 15° from its normal position. |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect. |
| 4 | Splashing water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have harmful effect. |
| 5 | Water jets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | Water projected in powerful jets (12.mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 m | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). |
| 8 | Immersion beyond 1 m | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under the conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but on in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. |