The air shouldn’t have dust, acid, salt, corrosive, or explosive gases. Unless stated otherwise, equipment works in pollution level 2 environments. If we use a higher design, we must note this in the documents.
We must protect electrical equipment from solids and liquids. Use Table 2.2.6 to decide water protection levels; other liquids need extra protection. If the installation site has pollutants (like dust, acid, corrosive gas, salt), suppliers and users may need a special agreement.
Table 2.2.6
| Second Number | Code | Protection Level | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | IPX0 | No protection | No special protection |
| 1 | IPX1 | Stops drips | Vertical drips won’t cause harm |
| 2 | IPX2 | Stops drips | If the appliance tilts up to 15° from normal, vertical drips won’t cause harm |
| 3 | IPX3 | Stops sprays | Sprays within 60° of the horizontal won’t cause harm |
| 4 | IPX4 | Stops splashes | Splashes from any direction won’t cause harm |
| 5 | IPX5 | Stops jets | Water sprayed from a nozzle (any direction) won’t cause harm |
| 6 | IPX6 | Stops waves | Strong waves or heavy sprays won’t let in enough water to cause harm |
| 7 | IPX7 | Stops harm from being immersed | If the appliance is in water at a set pressure for a set time, not enough water gets in to cause harm |
| 8 | IPX8 | Stops harm from diving | If the appliance dives for a long time at a set pressure, no water gets in |
Notes:
- The “Simple Explanation” here is just a summary, not an official rule for protection.
- The “Explanation” tells us how the second number protects against water.
If a cabinet meets a level, it also meets all lower levels. We don’t need to test lower levels unless we’re unsure.
What Pollution Degree Describes
Pollution degree is an input used in insulation coordination under applicable standards. It reflects environmental contamination around electrical insulation, not a general cleanliness rating for the cabinet exterior.
Assess the Microenvironment
The relevant condition may be inside the enclosure rather than the room. Dust, humidity, condensation and conductive contamination can change the microenvironment.
Enclosure Design Measures
Sealing, ventilation, heaters, filters and cooling can influence internal conditions. Openings and maintenance practices must be considered with the complete system.
Coordinate With Clearances and Creepage
The electrical designer determines insulation distances from voltage, materials, pollution conditions and the applicable standard. The enclosure manufacturer needs the resulting layout and interface requirements.
Do Not Substitute IP for Pollution Degree
IP ratings and pollution degree address different questions. Neither should be inferred from the other without the relevant design and evidence.
Review cabinet safety and bonding and protection design. Send environmental and electrical requirements through the contact page.
Record the Design Assumptions
The specification should name the applicable standard, expected microenvironment and measures used to control contamination. Any change to ventilation, heating or installation conditions should be reviewed by the electrical designer.
