IP Testing (Ingress Protection Testing)

Are your electrical devices well protected against the ingress of water, dust or other foreign objects? Do they still work when touched with the back of a hand, fingers or tools and wires? Let's test it - we will carry out the IP test for you.

The ingress protection testing or IP test (IP = International Protection or Ingress Protection) provides information on the degree to which an electronic device is protected against the ingress of foreign objects or whether it functions properly despite contact with the back of a hand, fingers, tools or wires.

There is an international classification system for the protection class within the IEC 60529 standard.

IP Codes are made up of the letters IP (International Protection) and two numbers. The first number of the code stands for the degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and against ingress of solid foreign objects. The second number stands for the degree of protection against liquids.

Protection against access to hazardous parts and the ingress of solid foreign objects

  • IP0X: No protection 
  • IP1X: Protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm such as the back of a hand
  • IP2X: Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm such as a finger or a similar object
  • IP3X: Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5 mm such as a screwdriver
  • IP4X: Protection against a solid object thicker than 1 mm such as a wire
  • IP5X: Protection against dust (talcum powder). The test is performed with or without vacuum. The ingress of dust is allowed as long as the functionality of the device is still guaranteed.
  • IP6X: Protection against dust (talcum powder). The test is performed with vacuum. The ingress of dust is not allowed.
IP test (ingress protection testing): Testing for dust tightness of housings

"To evaluate the test, often a high-voltage test (dielectric strength test) is performed."

IP Testing against water

  • IPX0: No protection
  • IPX1: Protection against dripping water
  • IPX2: Protection against vertically dripping water at an angle of 15 degrees
  • IPX3: Protection against spraying water
  • IPX4: Protection against splashing water  
  • IPX5: Protection against jets of water  
  • IPX6: Protection against powerful water jets
  • IPX7: Protection against submersion in water 1 m deep for 30 minutes with no harmful extent of water ingress
  • IPX8: Protection against submersion in water more than 1 m deep for over 30 minutes with no harmful extent of water ingress
  • IPX9: Protection against powerful high temperature water jets with no harmful extend of water ingress
IP test (ingress protection testing): Test for protection against the ingress of water

More questions? We will gladly help you!