Professional IPX3/IPX4 Oscillating Tube Water Ingress Test Chamber

 

Product Description (Product Details)

This product is a specialized Rain Test Chamber (or Water Ingress Test Chamber) designed for verifying the Degrees of Protection provided by electrical equipment enclosures, specified by the IP Code. The design and testing methodologies adhere strictly to the International Standard IEC 60529, Edition 2.2 2013-08. The objective of this standard is to define classifications and requirements regarding the protection of equipment inside the enclosure against harmful effects due to the ingress of water.

The protection against the ingress of water is indicated by the second characteristic numeral of the IP Code. This test chamber is configured to simulate the conditions required for degrees IPX3 and IPX4.

IPX3 Degree of Protection (Spraying Water)

The IPX3 degree indicates protection against spraying water.

• Definition: Water sprayed at an angle up to 60⁰ on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects on the equipment.
• Test Means: The IPX3 test can be performed using either the oscillating tube (Figure 4) or the spray nozzle (Figure 5).
• Oscillating Tube Conditions: The tube features spray holes over an arc of 60⁰ on either side of the center point (total 120⁰).
• Oscillation and Flow: The tube is caused to oscillate through an angle of 120⁰, 60⁰ on either side of the vertical, with the time for one complete oscillation (2×120⁰) being about 4 seconds. The total water flow rate (q_v) is adjusted based on the number of holes, where the mean flow rate per hole (q_vl) is 0.07 l/min.
• Duration: The test duration is 10 minutes. The enclosure is tested for 5 minutes in one position, then turned through a horizontal angle of 90⁰, and the test continues for a further 5 minutes.

IPX4 Degree of Protection (Splashing Water)

The IPX4 degree indicates protection against splashing water.

• Definition: Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
• Test Means: The IPX4 test can also use the oscillating tube (Figure 4) or the spray nozzle (Figure 5).
• Oscillating Tube Conditions: The oscillating tube has spray holes over the whole 180⁰ of the semicircle.
• Oscillation and Flow: The tube is caused to oscillate through an angle of almost 360⁰ (180⁰ on either side of the vertical), with the time for one complete oscillation (2×360⁰) being about 12 seconds. The water flow rate is adjusted using the same mean flow rate per hole (q_vl= 0.07 l/min) as IPX3, but for 180⁰ of holes.
• Duration: The total duration of the test is 10 minutes.
• Spray Nozzle Conditions: If the hand-held spray nozzle (Figure 5) is used, the counterbalanced shield is removed, and the enclosure is sprayed from all practicable directions. The minimum test duration is 5 minutes, based on 1 minute per square meter of enclosure surface area.

Acceptance Criteria

Following testing, the enclosure must be inspected for water ingress. In general, any water that has entered the enclosure shall not:

1. Be sufficient to interfere with the correct operation of the equipment or impair safety.
2. Deposit on insulation parts where it could lead to tracking along the creepage distances.
3. Reach live parts or windings not designed to operate when wet.

The designation IPX3/IPX4 implies compliance with the requirements for the lower characteristic numerals as well.