IK degree
Give me an hammer!
Safety from the hazards of electricity is not only the result of implementing all the requirements established to prevent contact with live components, but also avoiding that any contact may occur due to mechanical breakage.
And this is even more important for devices installed in environments where there is a high risk of impacts.
A broken enclosure, for example, can be a significant source of danger if it allows contact with the live elements contained inside.
In this regard EN 50102, the 1996 regulation which classifies enclosures when the rated voltage of the protected equipment does not exceed 72.5 kV, can be of great assistance.
The standard defines and assigns the degree of protection of the electrical equipment with reference to the protection of the equipment contained in the enclosure against damage from mechanical impacts, and it describes the requirements for each designation as well as the tests used to verify that the enclosure meets these requirements.
The code consists of the letters IK and two digits which, in turn, indicate the value of the impact energy (in joules, J) which the enclosure can withstand without being damaged.
And this is even more important for devices installed in environments where there is a high risk of impacts.
A broken enclosure, for example, can be a significant source of danger if it allows contact with the live elements contained inside.
In this regard EN 50102, the 1996 regulation which classifies enclosures when the rated voltage of the protected equipment does not exceed 72.5 kV, can be of great assistance.
The standard defines and assigns the degree of protection of the electrical equipment with reference to the protection of the equipment contained in the enclosure against damage from mechanical impacts, and it describes the requirements for each designation as well as the tests used to verify that the enclosure meets these requirements.
The code consists of the letters IK and two digits which, in turn, indicate the value of the impact energy (in joules, J) which the enclosure can withstand without being damaged.
Codes:
IK Code
IK00
IK01
IK02
IK03
IK04
IK05
IK06
IK07
IK08
IK09
IK10
Impact energy in joules
Not protected
0,14
0,2
0,35
0,5
0,7
1
2
5
10
20
The enclosure, as a whole, is considered protected regarding the degree indicated.
If the parts of the enclosure have different degrees of protection, then the respective code must be indicated for each part.
Furthermore, in the event greater mechanical strength is required, the value of 50 J is taken as the reference value.
The tests to verify the degree of protection against impacts must be carried out – not by the installer, of course – according to the principles provided by EN 60068-2-75.
Our readers who would like to satisfy their curiosity can find out, for example, what type of "hammer" must be used to strike the enclosure (spring hammers, vertical hammers, pendulum hammers) and what the test procedure is.
The testing temperature and atmospheric pressure are even defined (from 15 °C to 35 °C and from 86 kPa to 106 kPa).
And one last bit of information: Impact resistance is also referred to as resilience, a term which may seem a bit old-fashioned.
So now you have all the elements you need in order to select the best enclosure for each specific application.
If the parts of the enclosure have different degrees of protection, then the respective code must be indicated for each part.
Furthermore, in the event greater mechanical strength is required, the value of 50 J is taken as the reference value.
The tests to verify the degree of protection against impacts must be carried out – not by the installer, of course – according to the principles provided by EN 60068-2-75.
Our readers who would like to satisfy their curiosity can find out, for example, what type of "hammer" must be used to strike the enclosure (spring hammers, vertical hammers, pendulum hammers) and what the test procedure is.
The testing temperature and atmospheric pressure are even defined (from 15 °C to 35 °C and from 86 kPa to 106 kPa).
And one last bit of information: Impact resistance is also referred to as resilience, a term which may seem a bit old-fashioned.
So now you have all the elements you need in order to select the best enclosure for each specific application.
Learn more
- Standard: EN 62262
- Standard: EN 60068-2-75