Difference between revisions of "Weather rating"

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==Ingress protection==
 
==Ingress protection==
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A set of standards created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Sometimes also referred to as the Ingress Protection Code (IPC). The code may contain other letters and numbers beyond the first two, but these are not relevant for offgrid PV system design and installation. The first character after IP signifies the protection that the enclosure provides against the entrance of foregin bodies and protection of people from hazardous parts. The second character after IP signifies the protection that the enclosure provides against the entrance of moisture.
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'''Example 1:''' An enclosure is rated IP 65. What level of protection does it offer?
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*6 signifies that it is rated as dust-tight.
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*5 signifies that it is protected against water projected from a nozzle.
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[[File:Iprating201020.png|thumb|right|'''IP rating system''' 1st letter represents protection from solid particles. 2nd letter represents protection from liquids.]]
 
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===Solid particle protection===
 
===Solid particle protection===
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The first digit indicates the degree of protection (of people) from hazardous parts, as well as the protection of enclosed equipment from foreign bodies.<ref name="enclosureco"> Enclosure Company: IP Ratings Explained https://www.enclosurecompany.com/ip-ratings-explained.php</ref><ref name="sourceiex"> Source IEX: Degrees of Protection http://www.sourceiex.com/Catalogs/IP%20Degress%20Testing%20Details.pdf</ref>
  
 
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| Dust-tight || No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on airflow.
 
| Dust-tight || No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on airflow.
 
|}
 
|}
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===Liquid ingress protection===
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The second defines the protection level that the enclosure enjoys from various forms of moisture (drips, sprays, submersion etc).<ref name="enclosureco"/><ref name="sourceiex"/>
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{| class="wikitable" border=1
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! Level
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! Protection against
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|-
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!X
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| X means there is no data available to specify a protection rating with regard to these criteria.
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|-
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|-
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! 0
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| No protection against ingress of water
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|-
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! 1
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| Dripping water
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|-
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! 2
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| Dripping water when tilted at 15°
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|-
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! 3
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| Spraying water
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|-
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! 4
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| Splashing of water
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|-
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! 5
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| Water jets
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|-
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! 6
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| Powerful water jets
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|-
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! 6K
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| Powerful water jets with increased pressure
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|-
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! 7
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| Immersion, up to 1m depth
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|-
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! 8
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| Immersion, 1m or more depth
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|-
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!9K
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|Powerful high-temperature water jets
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|}
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==Notes==
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<references/>

Revision as of 09:07, 20 October 2020

Electrial equipment that comes in an enclosure will and enclosures intended for electrical equipment of any kind will be rated based upon the protection that the enclosure can provide against accidental contact and damage from the entrance of water or objects. It is important to check the rating any enclosure being considered to make sure that it is suitable for the location in which the equipment will be installed. There are two different rating systems that are commonly used globally: National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) rating and Ingress Protection (IP) rating. The two systems are very similar, but it is not possible to create a direct equivalency between the two.

Ingress protection

A set of standards created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Sometimes also referred to as the Ingress Protection Code (IPC). The code may contain other letters and numbers beyond the first two, but these are not relevant for offgrid PV system design and installation. The first character after IP signifies the protection that the enclosure provides against the entrance of foregin bodies and protection of people from hazardous parts. The second character after IP signifies the protection that the enclosure provides against the entrance of moisture.

Example 1: An enclosure is rated IP 65. What level of protection does it offer?

  • 6 signifies that it is rated as dust-tight.
  • 5 signifies that it is protected against water projected from a nozzle.
IP rating system 1st letter represents protection from solid particles. 2nd letter represents protection from liquids.
Code letters First characteristic numeral: Solid particle protection Second digit: Liquid ingress protection
IP (Ingress Protection) Single numeral: 0–6 or letter X Single numeral: 0–8 or letter X
Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory

Solid particle protection

The first digit indicates the degree of protection (of people) from hazardous parts, as well as the protection of enclosed equipment from foreign bodies.[1][2]

Level sized Effective against Description
X X means there is no data available to specify a protection rating with regard to this criterion.
0 No protection against contact and ingress of objects
1 50mm Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part
2 12.5mm Fingers or similar objects
3 2.5mm Tools, thick wires, etc.
4 1mm Most wires, slender screws, large ants etc.
5 Dust protected Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment.
6 Dust-tight No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on airflow.

Liquid ingress protection

The second defines the protection level that the enclosure enjoys from various forms of moisture (drips, sprays, submersion etc).[1][2]

Level Protection against
X X means there is no data available to specify a protection rating with regard to these criteria.
0 No protection against ingress of water
1 Dripping water
2 Dripping water when tilted at 15°
3 Spraying water
4 Splashing of water
5 Water jets
6 Powerful water jets
6K Powerful water jets with increased pressure
7 Immersion, up to 1m depth
8 Immersion, 1m or more depth
9K Powerful high-temperature water jets

Notes