Degree and class of IP protection. IP Security Level

The issue of ensuring data confidentiality is very important in the modern world, where they can be transmitted in various ways. To prevent this, there must be a great many different mechanisms, both hardware and software. But how to judge their effectiveness? How confident can you say about the security of data? Specifically for this was invented the concept of "IP protection class".

Ingress Protection

The literal translation of the term is "degree of protection". Used as a system for classifying the quality of the integrity of the shell of electrical equipment, as well as other devices. As a test, the protection against penetration of solid objects, water and dust is checked. In the Russian Federation, this check is performed in accordance with GOST 14254-96. This classification of protection is used in case it is necessary to check the inviolability of dangerous mechanical and live parts. Therefore, there is a demand for resistance to elements such as dust and water. The degree of protection of luminaires (IP) is the same as in devices that are under considerable voltage.

Marking

To indicate how high the level of security can be provided by this shell, use two letters of the Latin alphabet (IP) and two digits. The first speaks of protection from solid objects, and the second - about the presence of obstacles to the penetration of water. The maximum security is provided by the shells, which are marked as IP68. This designation indicates that it is a dustproof device that can also withstand prolonged exposure to water under considerable pressure. The IP protection class has one more letter after the digits. Given the complexity and features of the marking, let's dwell on them in more detail.

The first figure

The first digit is used to indicate the degree of IP protection that is provided by the shell itself, from such factors:

1. Prevents people from accessing dangerous parts, limiting possible penetration into the body part or some object that is in the hands of a person.
2. Protects internal contents from damage by external solid objects.

So, if the first digit is zero, then the shell does not provide security in the cases mentioned above. This IP protection class means that it does not actually exist. The unit is used to indicate that it is difficult to push the arm inside the shell, 2 - even the finger will not pass, 3 - the tool will not help, and the 4, 5, 6 classes mean that you can not access even with wire. But this is access to content, but what about external threats? So, if the shell shows 1, 2, 3 or 4, then only objects with, respectively, a diameter of not more than 50, 12.5, 2.5 and 1 millimeter can enter it. If there is a number 5, it is guaranteed partial, and 6 - complete protection against dust. Such a degree of IP protection may be needed for devices where even maintenance personnel should not look. But, despite the apparent tightness, there is absolutely no guarantee that the same safety will be provided for the relatively destructive effects of water. Therefore, there are two numbers in the classification.

The second figure

It indicates the level of protection of IP equipment from the damaging effects of water. So, if there is a zero, then no security can not be said. "Unit" means that the equipment is protected from drops of water that fall vertically from above. "Two" will ensure safety from dripping from above the liquid, if the shell is deflected by an angle of up to 15 degrees. "Troika" guarantees you protection from the rain. "Four" will protect equipment from continuous spraying. "Five" will be able to protect the contents of the shell from water jets. "Six" protects already from strong directed flows of liquid. "Seven" gives safety when the shell immerses in water for a short time. "Eight" means that protection is guaranteed even with prolonged stay in the liquid. But the presence of a high second number still does not say anything about the fact that the shell is safe and can protect its contents from dust or various penetrations. So, it can be made in the form of a membrane, through which moisture does not really get. But if you take wire in hand ... Although this is a separate story, and we will not dwell on it.

Additional letters

And what about the values that come after the numbers? Additional letters are used to indicate the level of protection in those cases when the real safety is higher than what was indicated by the figures. So, these symbols are used:

1. And - it is impossible to penetrate the hand.
2. In - the finger does not enter.
3. C - can not penetrate the instrument.
4. D - do not get inside even with wire.
5. H - high-voltage electrical equipment is protected, when working with which it is necessary to be very careful.
6. S / M - when checking the performance of the water resistance test, the device has / did not work, respectively.
7. W - provides protection from various weather conditions (except critical, such as a tornado and the like).

The peculiarity of this notation is that each subsequent letter can be applied only if the shell meets all the previous ones. So the degree of IP protection only increases along with the alphabet.

Expansion of the standard

If you take the European Union standard DIN 40050-9, then there is an extension to the level of IP69K. It is designed for high-temperature sinks with high pressure. So, they not only provide protection from dust, but also withstand considerable water pressure. Initially, this standard was developed for machines that need to be cleaned regularly (concrete mixers, dump trucks, etc.), but now it has found application in other industries. So, protection class IP69K is used in the food and chemical industries of the economic sector of the economy.

Conclusion

To summarize, we can say that the best option is the highest one, because the numbers say that it has the highest IP protection class. But there is a significant problem: the higher it is, the more expensive the shell will cost. Therefore, here we have to make a choice between price and quality. Therefore, it is necessary that the IP protection class be selected for specific conditions. That is, before buying, you should assess the degree of threat and choose the shell according to it. Although, of course, if you have the desire and the opportunity, you can not afford it and choose the most expensive class of IP protection.