💦 IP protection degree (Ingress Protection)
In short
Classification and testing of the degrees of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment according to PN-EN 60529 — the IP Code. The test is performed according to PN-EN 60529:2003 + A2:2014-07 (IEC 60529:1989 + AMD1:1999 + AMD2:2013); Arrangement of the code: IP + first numeral (0–6 or X) + second numeral (0–9 or X) + additional letter A–D and supplementary letter H, M, S, W (optional). The procedure comprises 6 steps; it is used for: Classification and testing of the degree of protection of enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage of up to 72,5 kV, including empty enclosures, Confirmation of the IP Code declared by the manufacturer or required by the product standard, Dust protection and dust tightness tests (IP5X, IP6X) in a dust chamber with talcum powder.
At a glance
- Standard: PN-EN 60529:2003 + A2:2014-07 (IEC 60529:1989 + AMD1:1999 + AMD2:2013)
- Category: Electronics and EMC
- Procedure steps: 6
- Arrangement of the code: IP + first numeral (0–6 or X) + second numeral (0–9 or X) + additional letter A–D and supplementary letter H, M, S, W (optional)
- Dust test: talcum through a 75 µm sieve (50 µm wire), 2 kg/m³ of chamber; category 1: depression ≤ 2 kPa, 80 enclosure volumes, ≤ 60 volumes/h, 2 h or up to 8 h (according to test reports)
- IP6X: no deposit of dust inside the enclosure after the test (according to test reports); conditions for IP5X — 13.5.2 of the standard
Overview
STATUS (as of 02.11.2026). PN-EN 60529:2003 — Polish version (published 19.05.2003), implements EN 60529:1991 with amendment A1:2000 and IEC 60529:1989 [IDT]; amendment PN-EN 60529:2003/A2:2014-07 — Polish version (published 23.11.2017), implements EN 60529:1991/A2:2013 and IEC 60529:1989/AMD2:2013. The catalogue cards carry no withdrawal notice. In the IEC catalogue a corrigendum to amendment 2 was issued in 2019. Amendment 2 introduced a new degree IPX9 (protection against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets) without changes to the existing degrees — so it requires neither new tests nor changes to earlier certificates of enclosures with a different IP Code.
SCOPE AND OBJECT (Clauses 1–2). The standard applies to the classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72,5 kV. It gives definitions of the degrees of protection of persons against access to hazardous parts inside the enclosure, of the equipment against ingress of solid foreign objects and against harmful effects of water, their designations, requirements and tests. The extent and manner of using the classification is decided by the product technical committees; protection against mechanical impacts, corrosion, fungus, solar radiation, icing, condensation or explosive atmospheres is a matter for product standards. The standard also applies to empty enclosures, provided that the general test requirements are met.
ARRANGEMENT OF THE IP CODE (Clause 4). The letters IP are followed by: the first characteristic numeral (0–6 or X), the second characteristic numeral (0–9 or X, numeral 9 since amendment 2), an optional additional letter (A, B, C, D — protection of persons against access to hazardous parts higher than indicated by the first numeral) and an optional supplementary letter (H, M, S, W). A numeral that need not be specified is replaced by the letter X. An enclosure designated only with numeral 7 or 8 is not considered suitable for water jets (5, 6), and one designated only with numeral 9 neither for jets nor for immersion; an enclosure meeting several degrees has a multiple designation, e.g. IPX5/IPX7/IPX9. The tests for the second numeral are carried out with fresh water.
TESTS. The dust test (13.4–13.6) is carried out in a dust chamber with talcum powder able to pass through a sieve with 75 µm openings and 50 µm wire, in a quantity of 2 kg per cubic metre of the chamber. Enclosures of category 1 (in which the operating cycle lowers the internal pressure; for numeral 6 always category 1) are tested with a depression not greater than 2 kPa: 80 volumes of the enclosure of air are drawn through it, not more than 60 volumes per hour; at 40–60 volumes per hour the test lasts 2 h, and at a lower flow — until 80 volumes have been drawn or 8 h. Degree 6 requires no deposit of dust inside the enclosure (we give these parameters from test reports citing the standard); the acceptance conditions for degree 5 (13.5.2) are beyond the available text. Water tests (Clause 14): degrees 1 and 2 — drip box, 3 and 4 — oscillating tube or spray nozzle, 5 — 6,3 mm nozzle, 6 — 12,5 mm nozzle, 7 — temporary immersion between 0,15 m and 1 m, 8 — continuous immersion under agreed conditions. Degree 9 (amendment 2): water at (80 ± 5) °C from a fan jet nozzle, (15 ± 1) l/min; enclosures smaller than 250 mm on a turntable at (5 ± 1) r/min, spraying at angles of 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° for 30 s each; larger ones — mounted as in use, from all practical directions at a distance of (175 ± 25) mm, 1 min/m², at least 3 min. After the water test the enclosure is inspected for ingress of water (14.3).
ROAD VEHICLES. For the electrical equipment of road vehicles there is a separate standard, ISO 20653:2023 (third edition): its IP codes are in accordance with IEC 60529 except for the codes with the letter K (e.g. 6K, 9K — high-pressure or steam-jet cleaning), which describe special requirements for vehicles; the 2023 edition extended the test conditions for IPX9K.
WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE HERE. Details of the tests from Clauses 11–15 other than those listed (flow rates and times for degrees 1–4 and 6, access probes, acceptance conditions for degree 5) — the available text of the standard covers Clauses 1–4 and amendment 2; we give the parameters of the dust and immersion tests from test reports. We do not give the IP Code required for particular products — it is set by the product standards.
Method principle
The enclosure, ready for use, is subjected to the tests corresponding to the declared numerals of the IP Code: protection against access to hazardous parts and solid foreign objects is checked with access probes, dust protection (5) and dust tightness (6) in a dust chamber with talcum powder, and protection against water (1–9) by spraying, jets or immersion. After the test the inside of the enclosure is inspected: the degree is considered met if dust or water has not entered at all or — where the standard permits — in a quantity harmless to the operation and safety of the equipment.
Applications
- Classification and testing of the degree of protection of enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage of up to 72,5 kV, including empty enclosures
- Confirmation of the IP Code declared by the manufacturer or required by the product standard
- Dust protection and dust tightness tests (IP5X, IP6X) in a dust chamber with talcum powder
- Tests of protection against water — from dripping (IPX1) through jets (IPX5, IPX6) and immersion (IPX7, IPX8) to high-pressure and high-temperature water jets (IPX9)
- Electrical equipment of road vehicles — according to the separate standard ISO 20653 (codes with the letter K)
Key parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Arrangement of the code | IP + first numeral (0–6 or X) + second numeral (0–9 or X) + additional letter A–D and supplementary letter H, M, S, W (optional) |
| Dust test | talcum through a 75 µm sieve (50 µm wire), 2 kg/m³ of chamber; category 1: depression ≤ 2 kPa, 80 enclosure volumes, ≤ 60 volumes/h, 2 h or up to 8 h (according to test reports) |
| IP6X | no deposit of dust inside the enclosure after the test (according to test reports); conditions for IP5X — 13.5.2 of the standard |
| IPX5 / IPX6 | 6,3 mm / 12,5 mm nozzle (14.2.5–14.2.6) |
| IPX7 / IPX8 | temporary immersion 0,15–1 m / continuous immersion under agreed conditions (14.2.7–14.2.8) |
| IPX9 (amendment 2) | (80 ± 5) °C, (15 ± 1) l/min; small enclosures: turntable 5 r/min, 0°/30°/60°/90° for 30 s each; large: (175 ± 25) mm, 1 min/m², ≥ 3 min |
Standard
- Standard number
- PN-EN 60529:2003 + A2:2014-07 (IEC 60529:1989 + AMD1:1999 + AMD2:2013)
- Title (PL)
- Stopnie ochrony zapewnianej przez obudowy (Kod IP)
- Title (EN)
- Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
Step-by-step procedure
-
Code to be verified
Determine the declared or required IP Code and the degrees to be tested; an enclosure with a multiple designation passes each of its tests.
-
Preparation of the enclosure
Test the enclosure ready for use according to the product standard (also empty, provided that the general test requirements are met).
-
Access and solid objects
Check the protection against access to hazardous parts and solid foreign objects with the access probes (Clauses 12–13).
-
Dust
For numerals 5 and 6, carry out the test in the dust chamber; for category 1 enclosures with a depression not greater than 2 kPa and a duration depending on the flow (2–8 h).
-
Water
Carry out the test appropriate for the second numeral (drip box, oscillating tube or nozzle, jet, immersion, IPX9 jet) with fresh water.
-
Evaluation
Inspect the inside of the enclosure: assess the ingress of dust or water according to the acceptance conditions (13.5–13.6, 14.3).
Required equipment and apparatus
| Equipment | Example | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Access probes | including the jointed test finger and the probes for numerals 1–4 (Clauses 12–13, Figure 1) | — |
| Dust chamber | with talcum powder kept in suspension and the possibility of creating a depression in the enclosure (Figure 2, 13.4) | — |
| Water test devices | drip box (Figure 3), oscillating tube (Figure 4), hand-held spray nozzle (Figure 5), 6,3 and 12,5 mm hose nozzle (Figure 6), immersion tank | — |
| IPX9 test device | fan jet nozzle (Figures 7–9), set-up for measuring the impact force of the jet (Figure 10), turntable for small enclosures (Figure 12) | — |
Reagents, media and consumables
| Reagent | CAS | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Talcum powder | 14807-96-6 | able to pass through a sieve with 75 µm openings and 50 µm wire, 2 kg per cubic metre of the chamber (according to test reports) |
| Fresh water | — | for the tests of the second numeral (amendment 2, Clause 6); for IPX9 at a temperature of (80 ± 5) °C |
Health and safety (OHS)
- The available text of the standard contains no safety requirements — the rules for working with the dust chamber, pressurised water at 80 °C and an energised device are set by the laboratory on the basis of a risk assessment
Frequently asked questions
Which standard describes this test?
The test is performed according to PN-EN 60529:2003 + A2:2014-07 (IEC 60529:1989 + AMD1:1999 + AMD2:2013) — “Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)”.
How does this method work?
The enclosure, ready for use, is subjected to the tests corresponding to the declared numerals of the IP Code: protection against access to hazardous parts and solid foreign objects is checked with access probes, dust protection (5) and dust tightness (6) in a dust chamber with talcum powder, and protection against water (1–9) by spraying, jets or immersion. After the test the inside of the enclosure is inspected: the degree is considered met if dust or water has not entered at all or — where the standard permits — in a quantity harmless to the operation and safety of the equipment.
What is the measuring range and accuracy?
Arrangement of the code: IP + first numeral (0–6 or X) + second numeral (0–9 or X) + additional letter A–D and supplementary letter H, M, S, W (optional); Dust test: talcum through a 75 µm sieve (50 µm wire), 2 kg/m³ of chamber; category 1: depression ≤ 2 kPa, 80 enclosure volumes, ≤ 60 volumes/h, 2 h or up to 8 h (according to test reports); IP6X: no deposit of dust inside the enclosure after the test (according to test reports); conditions for IP5X — 13.5.2 of the standard; IPX5 / IPX6: 6,3 mm / 12,5 mm nozzle (14.2.5–14.2.6).
How long does the test take?
The procedure comprises 6 steps. The standard does not give a duration for every stage — the laboratory's own procedure decides.
What equipment is required?
Access probes, Dust chamber, Water test devices, IPX9 test device.
Where is this test used?
Classification and testing of the degree of protection of enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage of up to 72,5 kV, including empty enclosures; Confirmation of the IP Code declared by the manufacturer or required by the product standard; Dust protection and dust tightness tests (IP5X, IP6X) in a dust chamber with talcum powder; Tests of protection against water — from dripping (IPX1) through jets (IPX5, IPX6) and immersion (IPX7, IPX8) to high-pressure and high-temperature water jets (IPX9); Electrical equipment of road vehicles — according to the separate standard ISO 20653 (codes with the letter K).
What safety precautions apply?
The available text of the standard contains no safety requirements — the rules for working with the dust chamber, pressurised water at 80 °C and an energised device are set by the laboratory on the basis of a risk assessment.
Which laboratory can perform this test?
The test is performed by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. On LabCoda you can find them by the standard number PN-EN 60529.