What is an IP code?
What is an IP code?
Let's consider the frequently encountered abbreviation IP. The IP code describes the degree of protection of the equipment.
The decoding of the IP code is legally reflected in GOST 14254?96 «Degrees of protection provided by enclosures» and gives an idea of the equipment design. GOST 14254?96 is a replacement for GOST 4254?80 and in the documentation for old equipment references are given to GOST 1980. There are no significant differences between them. Currently, GOST 14254?96 is referenced in more than 60 different GOSTs and many regulatory documents related to the fire and explosion hazard of industrial equipment.
We will briefly outline the descriptions of the IP code elements. In addition to the abbreviation, the IP code may include four symbols.
The first and second are numbers that characterize the possibility of penetration of external solid objects into the device and protection from the nature of the impact of liquid on the device. The third and fourth symbols are letters that provide additional information. The third and fourth symbols are additional and are used for special equipment.
The first element of the code is a number and shows from what size of solid body and from penetration of what part of the hand and tool the device is protected.
The first element has seven different values.
Value «0» means that the device does not provide any protection against penetration into dangerous parts for a person and there is no protection of the equipment from damage.
Number «1» indicates that a person will not be able to put his hand into the dangerous area without dismantling it and objects with a diameter of more than 50 mm will not be able to damage the equipment.
Number «2»indicates that a human finger cannot under any circumstances be in the danger zone and the equipment is protected against particles larger than 12.5 mm in diameter. As a rule, most switching equipment is manufactured with this level of protection.
The number «3» allows us to state that the equipment cannot be penetrated without a special tool, since it is protected against foreign objects larger than 2.5 mm in diameter.
The number «4»indicates that particles larger than 1 mm cannot get onto the equipment's working parts and it is impossible to reach the danger zone with a thick wire.
The number «5» characterizes the equipment as dust-proof with protection against any mechanical interference.
The number «6» means that the equipment is dust-proof. This is the highest level of protection against penetration of solid particles. As a rule, this level of protection is used in special cases.
Unlike solid particles, liquids can penetrate almost any equipment. Therefore, the degree of protection indicates the type and direction of impact on the equipment, which guarantees protection. Water was chosen as the basis for the protection characteristics as a liquid with the lowest kinetic viscosity and not destroying the housing chemically.
The number «0», as in the first case, means no protection against water ingress in any direction.
The number «1»indicates that the case can protect against vertical impacts of low intensity. Simply put, protection is provided when drops fall. In principle, devices made according to the protection level «0» can also work for a short time under impacts of such intensity.
Number «2»means that protection is provided when exposed to low intensity at an angle of no more than 15°. Protection against the effects of a small «mushroom» rain is guaranteed. This level of protection is very conditional and devices made according to protection levels 1 and 2 are practically not used for protection against water.
The number «3» indicates that the device is protected from exposure to water in the form of ordinary rain.
The number «4» allows us to assert that liquid will not get inside the device even with continuous spraying.
The number «5» indicates that the unit will function normally when exposed to a stream of liquid.
The number «6» means that the protection ensures operation even under strong impact of a liquid jet.
The number «7» shows that the equipment is designed for temporary short-term immersion.
The number «8»characterizes the highest level of equipment protection. A device with this level of protection can withstand prolonged immersion. As a rule, if a device has protection against water ingress, it also has protection against ingress of solid objects. Thus, when providing protection against direct liquid splashing (the second digit «4»), protection against ingress into a hazardous area with a protection level of «5» is also provided.
The additional letter of the third element characterizes the possibility of ingress to hazardous parts with various objects:
«A» — with the back of the hand;
«B» — with a finger;
«C» — with a tool;
«D» — with a wire.
The auxiliary letter of the fourth element of the IP code provides additional reference information:
«H» — high-voltage equipment;
«M» — about the state of movement during water protection tests;
«S» — about the state of immobility during water protection tests.
As a rule, this information is of interest only to narrow specialists, so we will not dwell on the third and fourth elements of the IP code.
Thus, the higher the values in the IP code, the more reliable the equipment and the more profitable such equipment is for the buyer.
Considering the equipment produced by the Arsenal Bezopasnosti Group of Companies, it is worth noting that the Grom-12-KP (IP 55) and Grom-12-KPS (IP 55) combined alarm devices have a high IP code in accordance with current legislation. These products comply with SP 3.13130.2009 (Clause 6 Note 3): «In buildings with permanent presence of people with hearing and vision disabilities, light flashing alarm devices or specialized alarm devices must be used.»
The Grom-12KP and Grom-12KPS alarms have recently begun to be produced in a modernized case: the external fastening of the alarm is made through and supplemented with a convenient cable outlet. Previously, these alarms had the IP code 54. Now, in accordance with the decoding of the IP codes, the cases for the Grom-12KP and Grom-12KPS alarms are dustproof with protection from any mechanical interference and function normally when exposed to a stream of liquid.
The Molniya-12V GRAND IP 56 and Molniya-24V GRAND IP 56 have a fairly high IP code among the series of light panels. These panels comply with Article 89 of Federal Law No. 123:
Evacuation exits are
• exits from basements through common stairwells into a vestibule with a separate exit to the outside;
• exits from basements and ground floors;
• swing doors in gates intended for entry (exit) of rail and road transport.
Thus, these boards have an extended scope of application — not only indoors, but also in stairwells, entrances, etc., where the air temperature is significantly lower than in residential premises.
According to the decoding of IP codes, the housings for the Molniya-12V GRAND IP 56 and Molniya-24V GRAND IP 56 light boards are dustproof with protection from any mechanical interference and work even under strong impact of a liquid jet.
It is worth noting that, on average, most manufacturers have a similar light board with an IP 41 or IP 52 code as a maximum.
In general, it should be said that when choosing equipment, a certain freedom is provided, but it is necessary to take into account that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and increasing the reliability of equipment is accompanied by an increase in its cost and complication of maintenance. Therefore, depending on the specific conditions when ordering equipment, it is necessary to take into account the degrees of protection.
When installing equipment in a dry room, any version of the equipment is acceptable. This allows, using equipment with minimal protection, both to save on cost and to reduce operating costs. On the contrary, in damp or dusty rooms (and dampness or dust are usually typical for any food production), it is economical to use more expensive protected equipment. The economic effect will manifest itself during long-term operation due to the extension of the inter-repair cycle.
In some cases, it is justified to move the packaging equipment or instrument cabinet outside the premises with high humidity or dustiness. In the first case, product conveyors are necessary, in the second case — modification of the design.
To summarize, it is worth noting that not every manufacturer cares about the durability of the product: often in the price/quality ratio, preference is given to the cheapness of the product. Finding products of satisfactory quality and at the best price is not at all easy. From this point of view, it is better to give preference to proven, well-established brands.