Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)

Applies to the classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72,5 kV. The contents of the corrigenda of January 2003, of September 2007 and of October 2009 have been included in this copy.
This consolidated version consists of the second edition (1989) and its amendment 1 (1999). Therefore, no need to order amendment in addition to this publication.

Degrés de protection procurés par les enveloppes (Code IP)

Applies to the classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72,5 kV. Le contenu des corrigenda de janvier 2003, de septembre 2007 et d'octobre 2009 a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.
Cette version consolidée comprend la deuxième édition (1989) et son amendement 1 (1999). Il n'est donc pas nécessaire de commander l'amendement avec cette publication.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
26-Feb-2001
Current Stage
PPUB - Publication issued
Start Date
27-Feb-2001
Completion Date
27-Feb-2001
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Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)

Degrés de protection procurés par les enveloppes (Code IP)

IEC 60529:1989+A1:1999

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IEC 60529

®


Edition 2.1 2001-02




CONSOLIDATED



VERSION




VERSION



CONSOLIDÉE
colour

inside










Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)



Degrés de protection procurés par les enveloppes (Code IP)



















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


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INTERNATIONALE



ICS 13.260; 29.020 ISBN 2-8318-5588-8



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IEC 60529
®

Edition 2.1 2001-02

REDLINE VERSION
VERSION REDLINE
colour
inside


Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)

Degrés de protection procurés par les enveloppes (Code IP)

IEC 60529:1989+A1:1999

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– 2 – 60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7

1 Scope and object . 8
2 ObjectNormative references . 8
3 Definitions . 9
4 Designations . 11
4.1 Arrangement of the IP Code . 11
4.2 Elements of the IP Code and their meanings . 11
4.3 Examples for the use of letters in the IP Code . 12
5 Degrees of protection against access to hazardous parts and against solid foreign
objects indicated by the first characteristic numeral . 13
5.1 Protection against access to hazardous parts . 13
5.2 Protection against solid foreign objects . 14
6 Degrees of protection against ingress of water indicated by the second
characteristic numeral . 15
7 Degrees of protection against access to hazardous parts indicated
by the additional letter . 17
8 Supplementary letters . 17
9 Examples of designations with the IP Code . 18
9.1 IP Code not using optional letters: . 18
9.2 IP Code using optional letters: . 19
10 Marking . 19
11 General requirements for tests . 19
11.1 Atmospheric conditions for water or dust tests . 19
11.2 Test samples . 20
11.3 Application of test requirements and interpretation of test results . 20
11.4 Combination of test conditions for the first characteristic numeral. 20
11.5 Empty enclosures . 21
12 Tests for protection against access to hazardous parts indicated by the first
characteristic numeral . 21
12.1 Access probes . 21
12.2 Test conditions . 21
12.3 Acceptance conditions . 23
12.3.1 For low-voltage equipment (rated voltages not exceeding 1 000 V
a.c. and 1 500 V d.c.) . 23
12.3.2 For high-voltage equipment (rated voltages exceeding 1 000 V a.c.
and 1 500 V d.c.) . 23
12.3.3 For equipment with hazardous mechanical parts. 23
13 Tests for protection against solid foreign objects indicated by the first
characteristic numeral . 24
13.1 Test means . 24
13.2 Test conditions for first characteristic numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 . 24
13.3 Acceptance conditions for first characteristic numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 . 24

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60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999 – 3 –
13.4 Dust test for first characteristic numerals 5 and 6 . 24
13.5 Special conditions for first characteristic numeral 5 . 26
13.5.1 Test conditions for first characteristic numeral 5 . 26
13.5.2 Acceptance conditions for first characteristic numeral 5 . 26
13.6 Special conditions for first characteristic numeral 6 . 26
13.6.1 Test conditions for first characteristic numeral 6 . 26
13.6.2 Acceptance conditions for first characteristic numeral 6 . 26
14 Tests for protection against water indicated by the second characteristic numeral . 26
14.1 Test means . 26
14.2 Test conditions . 27
14.2.1 Test for second characteristic numeral 1 with the drip box . 28
14.2.2 Test for second characteristic numeral 2 with the drip box . 28
14.2.3 Test for second characteristic numeral 3 with oscillating tube
or spray nozzle . 28
14.2.4 Test for second characteristic numeral 4 with oscillating tube
or spray nozzle . 29
14.2.5 Test for second characteristic numeral 5 with the 6,3 mm nozzle . 30
14.2.6 Test for second characteristic numeral 6 with the 12,5 mm nozzle . 30
14.2.7 Test for second characteristic numeral 7: temporary immersion between
0,15 m and 1 m . 30
14.2.8 Test for second characteristic numeral 8: continuous immersion
subject to agreement . 31
14.3 Acceptance conditions . 31
15 Tests for protection against access to hazardous parts indicated by the additional letter . 31
15.1 Access probes . 31
15.2 Test conditions . 31
15.3 Acceptance conditions . 32

Annex A (informative) Examples of IP coding for the verification of protection
of low-voltage equipment against access to hazardous parts . 38
Annex B (informative) Summary of responsibilities of relevant technical committees . 44

Bibliography . 46

Figure 1 – Jointed test finger . 33
Figure 2 – Test device to verify protection against dust (dust chamber) . 34
Figure 3 – Test device to verify protection against vertically falling water drops (drip box) . 35
Figure 4 – Test device to verify protection against spraying and splashing water;
second characteristic numerals 3 and 4 (oscillating tube) . 36
Figure 5 – Hand-held device to verify protection against spraying and splashing water;
second characteristic numerals 3 and 4 (spray nozzle) . 37
Figure 6 – Test device to verify protection against water jets (hose nozzle) . 37

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– 4 – 60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999
Table 1 – Degrees of protection against access to hazardous parts indicated by the first
characteristic numeral . 14
Table 2 – Degrees of protection against solid foreign objects indicated by the first
characteristic numeral . 15
Table 3 – Degrees of protection against water indicated by the second
characteristic numeral . 16
Table 4 – Degrees of protection against access to hazardous parts indicated by the
additional letter . 17
Table 5 – Test conditions for degrees of protection indicated by the first
characteristic numeral . 21
Table 6 – Access probes for the tests for protection of persons against access to
hazardous parts . 22
Table 7 – Test means for the tests for protection against solid foreign objects . 24
Table 8 – Test means and main test conditions for the tests for protection against water . 27
Table 9 – Total water flow rate q under IPX3 and IPX4 test conditions –
v
Mean flow rate per hole q = 0,07 l/min . 29
vl

IP Codes of examples in annex A . 43

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60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

DEGREES OF PROTECTION PROVIDED
BY ENCLOSURES (IP Code)



FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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This Consolidated version of IEC 60529 bears the edition number 2.1. It consists of the
second edition (1989) [documents 70(CO)13 + 70(CO)15 and 70(CO)16 + 70(CO)17], its
corrigendum 1 (2003), its corrigendum 2 (2007), its corrigendum 3 (2009) and its
amendment 1 (1999) [documents 70/91/FDIS and 70/92/RVD]. The technical content is
identical to the base edition and its amendment.
In this Redline version, a vertical line in the margin shows where the technical content
is modified by amendment 1. Additions and deletions are displayed in red, with
deletions being struck through. A separate Final version with all changes accepted is
available in this publication.
This publication has been prepared for user convenience.

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– 6 – 60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999
International Standard IEC 60529 has been prepared by technical committee 70: Degrees of
protection by enclosures.
Annexes A and B are for information only.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of the base publication and its amendment will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under
"http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the
publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

IMPORTANT – The “colour inside” logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this publication using a colour printer.

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60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION

This standard describes a system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the
enclosures of electrical equipment. Whilst this system is suitable for use with most types of
electrical equipment, it should not be assumed that all the listed degrees of protection are
applicable to a particular type of equipment. The manufacturer of the equipment should be
consulted to determine the degrees of protection available and the parts of equipment to
which the stated degree of protection applies.
The adoption of this classification system, wherever possible, Will promote uniformity in
methods of describing the protection provided by the enclosure and in the tests to prove the
various degrees of protection. It should also reduce the number of types of test devices
necessary to test a wide range. of products.
This second edition of IEC 60529 takes account of experiences with the first edition, and
clarifies the requirements. It provides for an optional extension of the IP Code by an additional
letter A, B, C, or D if the actual protection of persons against access to hazardous parts is
higher than that indicated by the first characteristic numeral.
In general, enclosures with an IP coding to the first edition would be eligible for the same
code according to this edition.

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– 8 – 60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999
DEGREES OF PROTECTION PROVIDED
BY ENCLOSURES (IP Code)


1 Scope and object
This standard applies to the classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures for
electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72,5 kV.
2 Object
The object of this standard is to give:
a) Definitions for degrees of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment as
regards:
1) protection of persons against access to hazardous parts inside the enclosure;
2) protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign
objects;
3) protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful effects due to the
ingress of water.
b) Designations for these degrees of protection.
c) Requirements for each designation.
d) Tests to be performed to verify that the enclosure meets the requirements of this standard.
It will remain the responsibility of individual technical committees to decide on the extent and
manner in which, the classification is used in their standards and to define “enclosure” as it
applies to their equipment. However, it is recommended that for a given classification the
tests do not differ from those specified in this standard. If necessary, complementary
requirements may be included in the relevant product standard. A guide for the details to be
specified in relevant product standards is given in annex B.
For a particular type of equipment, a technical committee may specify different requirements
provided that at least the same level of safety is ensured.
This standard deals only with enclosures that are in all other respects suitable for their
intended use as specified in the relevant product standard and which from the point of view of
materials and workmanship ensure that the claimed degrees of protection are maintained
under the normal conditions of use.
This standard is also applicable to empty enclosures provided that the general test
requirements are met and that the selected degree of protection is suitable for the type of
equipment to be protected.
Measures to protect both the enclosure and the equipment inside the enclosure against
external influences or conditions such as
– mechanical impacts
– corrosion
– corrosive solvents (for example, cutting liquids)
– fungus
– vermin
– solar radiation
– icing
– moisture (for example, produced by condensation)
– explosive atmospheres

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60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999 – 9 –
and the protection against contact with hazardous moving parts external to the enclosure
(such as fans), are matters for the relevant product standard to be protected.
Barriers external to the enclosure and not attached to it and obstacles which have been
provided solely for the safety of personnel are not considered as a part of the enclosure and
are not dealt with in this standard.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-195:1998, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 195: Earthing and
protection against electric shock
IEC 60050(826):1982, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 826:
Electrical installations of buildings
IEC 60068-1:1988, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60068-2-68:1994, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test L: Dust and sand
IEC 60071-2:1996, Insulation co-ordination – Part 2: Application guide
3 Definitions
For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions apply:
3.1
enclosure
a part providing protection of equipment against certain external influences and, in any
*
direction, protection against direct contact [IEV 826-03-12] .
NOTE This definition taken from the existing International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) needs the following
explanations under the scope of this standard:
1) Enclosures provide protection of persons or livestock against access to hazardous parts.
2) Barriers, shapes of openings or any other means – whether attached to the enclosure or formed by the
enclosed equipment – suitable to prevent or limit the penetration of the specified test probes are considered
as a part of the enclosure, except when they can be removed without the use of a key or tool.
3.2
direct contact
contact of persons or livestock with live parts [IEV 826-03-05]
NOTE This IEV definition is given for information. In this standard “direct contact” is replaced by “access to
hazardous parts”.
3.3
degree of protection
the extent of protection provided by an enclosure against access to hazardous parts, against.
ingress of solid foreign objects and/or against ingress of water and verified by standardized
test methods
––––––––
*
IEC 60050(826).

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– 10 – 60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999
3.4
IP Code
a coding system to indicate the degrees of protection provided by an enclosure against
access to hazardous parts, ingress of solid foreign objects, ingress of water and to give
additional information in connection with such protection
3.5
hazardous part
a part that is hazardous to approach or touch
3.5.1
hazardous live part
a live part which, under certain conditions of external influences, can give an electric shock
(see IEC 536, at present Document 64(CO)196 60050-195, 195-06-05)
3.5.2
hazardous mechanical part
a moving part, other than a smooth rotating shaft, that is hazardous to touch
3.6
protection provided by an enclosure against access to hazardous parts
the protection of persons against
– contact with hazardous low-voltage live parts
– contact with hazardous mechanical parts
– approach to hazardous high-voltage live parts below adequate clearance inside an enclosure
NOTE This protection may be provided
– by means of the enclosure itself,
– by means of barriers as part of the enclosure or distances inside the enclosure.
3.7
adequate clearance for protection against access to hazardous parts
a distance to prevent contact or approach of an access probe to a hazardous part
3.8
access probe
a test probe simulating in a conventional manner a part of a person or a tool, or the like, held
by a person to verify adequate clearance from hazardous parts
3.9
object probe
a test pr
...

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