​​What Is IP Testing?

Ingress Protection testing, often known as IP testing, assesses a product's capacity to secure against "ingress," or the infiltration of water, dust, and other objects. Among the IP testing standards (International Electrotechnical Commission) are MIL-STD-810 (Military), RTCA/DO-160 (Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics), and IEC 60529 (a few IP testing standards (International Electrotechnical Commission).

​​Why Is Ingress Testing Used?

Ingress testing is performed for a variety of purposes, including safety, functionality, and product marketing. Many items require protection from the elements in order to perform effectively. Mist, steam, sprayed water, sand, oil, and even fingers are examples of outside elements. Ingress protection testing determines if a product will perform properly in the field.

​​Who Issues IP rating in India?

The International Electrotechnical Commission has established these ratings as the industry standard. The IP certification requires a product to pass a battery of laboratory tests, which are followed by an evaluation of the product's overall quality. To begin, an IP rating consists of two numbers, as shown in the examples below: IP68, IPX8, IP67, etc.

Products Covered

Electrical equipment needs to be protected against being touched and against water in order to prevent potentially hazardous situations. Each unit of equipment will have an Ingress Protection value, which will be written as IPxy. This is because some things require more protection than others do. The x standards ensure that the user is protected against solid items, such as dust.

​​Applicability

Although IP testing is optional in certain circumstances, retailers frequently request IP ratings from manufacturers before stocking a product. For example, a hardware store can require that all outdoor lighting it sells have an IP certificate against moisture entry. The hardware shop does not want to receive many returned items or be held accountable in the event of an accident caused by a product failure. In this instance, it is the manufacturer's responsibility to fulfil the seller's requirements.

Computers, laboratory equipment, some medical devices, light fixtures, and other things that must be dust-free or moisture-resistant fall into this category. IP ratings are also required for items that are sealed and will likely be put in hazardous areas.

Other common goods that require ingress protection include automotive and military components. Water can foul the system in these circumstances, so water pressure testing is critical. However, because water is frequently used for cleaning, the product must be resistant to water potentially infiltrating delicate components.

Water spray testing can assist in ensuring that the gaskets that cover the seals in these systems are properly matched. It's also worth noting that spray testing might include high-velocity water distribution, which brings its own set of issues.

Water may sometimes get through even the most well-sealed gasket. In these situations, it is critical to ensure that the gasket incorporates a shield that stops water spray.

Electrical plugs, mobile phones, refrigerators (especially those with electric motors), and wrist watches are among the frequent devices that require ingress protection testing.

​​Ratings

Ingress protection ratings are standardized ratings that define the type and degree of ingress protection that a certain item has. The evaluations are divided into two categories: foreign items and dust (solid substances); and liquids (such as water).

Each grade begins with the letter "IP," which stands for ingress protection. The first number following "IP" refers to the rating against foreign objects and dust penetration. The second number pertains to liquid ingress protection. When one of these two categories of pollutants is addressed, the remaining type is denoted by an X. For example, IP1X denotes a rating of 1 against intrusion by foreign objects and dust, with the X indicating that no rating for ingress by liquids is provided. It should be noted that an X does not represent zero protection.

Ratings For Dust Ingress

 IP0X: This grade indicates that the item is not adequately secured against foreign object infiltration.

 IP1X: This grade specifies that the item is protected against access from the back of a hand as well as solid foreign objects larger than 50 mm (about 2 inches). This is demonstrated by verifying that a 50 mm probe has appropriate clearance from potentially dangerous parts and does not completely enter the object.

 IP2X: This classification means that any dangerous parts cannot be accessed with a finger or solid objects larger than 12.5 mm in diameter (about half an inch). This is tested with a "jointed finger" measuring 12 mm to 80 mm in length.

 IP3X: This classification is given to devices whose dangerous parts cannot be accessed with a tool, such as a screwdriver, or by solid foreign objects larger than 2.5 mm in diameter (about one-tenth of an inch). This is confirmed with a 2.5 mm access probe that cannot enter the object.

 IP4X:  This grade applies to products in which dangerous parts, even with a wire, cannot be accessible or foreign objects larger than 1.0 mm. This is examined using a 1.0 mm access probe and inspected to ensure that any dust that enters does not interfere with the operation of the part.

 IP5X: This grade applies to dangerous elements that cannot be accessible, even with a wire, and it also includes protection against dust penetration. This is examined using a 1.0 mm access probe and inspected to ensure that any dust that enters does not interfere with the part's operation.

 IP6X: For this grade, there must be no dust infiltration at all. Otherwise, it is comparable to IP5X with the distinction that the item is totally dust-proof.

Ratings For Liquid Ingress

 IPX0: This grade shows that the item is not at all protected against liquid entry.

 IPX1: This classification indicates that the object is protected against vertically falling liquid drops, implying that any that fall on the item will not do any harm.

 IPX2: This grade improves on IPX1 by guaranteeing defense against liquid droplets falling at an angle of up to 15 degrees.

 IPX3: This rating is granted when an object is secure against liquid entry. This is demonstrated by spraying water at an angle of up to 60 degrees off vertical and demonstrating that no harm was done. The spray can have an oscillating pattern and a flow velocity that varies depending on the item evaluated.

 IPX4: This grade goes beyond IPX3 to add protection against liquid infiltration. It is proven that splashed water has no negative impact on the object.

 IPX5: This certification relates to goods that are protected against liquid jet infiltration. It is provided after water jet testing confirms that there are no negative effects.

 IPX6: This classification is provided for goods that can withstand intrusion from intense liquid jets. It is a more advanced version of IPX5. In this test, the water pressure may reach 14.5 pounds per square inch (PSI).

 IPX7: This certification goes a step further, indicating protection against temporary immersion in liquids. The rating is given after 30 minutes of immersion in 1 meter of water with no negative consequences.