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Protection Degrees
Ingress Protection (IP)
Level of protection
The Ingress Protection is an international classifying system which indicates
the sealing effectiveness against humidity, dust, etc. of the electric equipment,
in accordance with the Regulation IEC60529 from the International
Electrotechnical Commission.
This classifying system combines the letters IP followed by two or three
numbers. The letter “X” is used only when there is a type of protection against
humidity. The first number defines the protection against solid materials. The
second number defines the protection against liquid materials.
Which things must be taken into account when
illuminating bathrooms and other areas with
high ratings of humidity?
When choosing a bathroom illumination, it is not only a question of style, but also how the
lighting will fit in with the original design. Two very important issues are to be considered: the
safety during the installation and choosing the correct product for the specific application.
ZONE 0.- Inside baths or showers. All kinds of illumination within these areas must be
of low power and have an IP68 protection rating.
ZONE 1.- Above baths or showers, but not higher than 2.25m, all kinds of illumination installed within
these areas must have an IP44 protection rating. This IP is appropriate on baths where there is no
shower head above the bath. If there is no shower head or movable shower system, then we require
an IP65 protection.
ZONE 2.- This refers to areas outside ZONE 1 and at 60cm distance/radius from the sink. All illumination
within this zone must be within IP44. If there is a risk of splashing water, then an IP65 protection rating
is required.
Outside the above mentioned areas, any IP rating can be used for lighting purposes. All electric products
to be placed in a bathroom, must be installed by a professional.
Impact Protection (IK)
Level of protection against IMPACTS
It is a European regulation, equivalent to the international regulation IEC 62262
and which concerns the different levels of protection against potential impacts
inflicted on the electrical devices by a foreign body.
Prior to officially using the IK, a third number was added occasionally to the IP
code in order to define the level of protection against impacts -for example,
IP66 (9). The non official use of this system motivated the development of
its standard rating code. The code appears separately from the other two
numbers (already official), therefore making it appear different from them. The
unit of measurement is “Joules”.
Definition of “Joules”: it is a unit of measurement included in the International System and
applied when measuring energy, work and heat. As a work unit of measurement, “Joule” is
equal to the quantity of work carried out by a continuous force of one “Newton” throughout
a distance of 1metre, while also having the same direction of the force.
First digit - protection against solid objects
0.
No protection.
1.
Ingress of solid object diameter 50mm is protected.
2.
Ingress of solid object diameter 12.5mm is protected.
3.
Ingress of solid object diameter 2.5mm is totally protected.
4.
Ingress of solid object diameter 1.0mm is totally protected.
5.
Protected against harmful dust.
6.
Totally protected against dust.
Second digit - protection against liquid objects
0.
No protection.
1.
Protection against water drips.
2.
Protection against water drips. (vertically inclined 15º).
3.
Protection against water spray (vertically inclined up to 60º)
4.
Protection from water splashes.
5.
Protection from water jets.
6.
Protection from strong water jets.
7.
Protection from temporary immersion (at 1m depth and maximum of 60min).
8.
Protection from constant immersion (at more than 1m depth and can normally remain
under water).
Protection degree against impacts “IK”
IK00:
No protection
IK01:
Protection against impact of 0.14 Joules (0.25Kg and distance of 56mm)
IK02:
Protection against impact of 0.2 Joules (0.25Kg and distance of 80mm)
IK03:
Protection against impact of 0.35 Joules (0.25Kg and distance of 140mm)
IK04:
Protection against impact of 0.5 Joules (0.25Kg and distance of 200mm)
IK05:
Protection against impact of 0.7 Joules (0.25Kg and distance of 280mm)
IK06:
Protection against impact of 1 Joules (0.25Kg and distance of 400mm)
IK07:
Protection against impact of 2 Joules (0.5Kg and distance of 400mm)
IK08:
Protection against impact of 5 Joules (1.7Kg and distance of 300mm)
IK09:
Protection against impact of 10 Joules (5Kg and distance of 200mm)
IK10:
Protection against impact of 20 Joules (5Kg and distance of 40mm)
