Search

IPX9 is a specialized degree, introduced by Amendment 2, classifying protection against highly stressful, short-range water jets used in rigorous cleaning environments

Second Characteristic Numeral 9: High Pressure, High Temperature Jet Test

The degree of protection IPX9, introduced by Amendment 2, is specific to enclosures resisting high pressure and temperature water jets. Water projected from any direction under these extreme conditions must not have harmful effects.

The test procedure involves a specialized fan jet nozzle (Figures 7, 8, 9) and precise thermal control.

  • Water Temperature: The water temperature must be high, specifically (80 ± 5) °C.
  • Flow Rate: The nozzle is adjusted to provide a flow rate of (15 ± 1) l/min.
  • Distance: The distance between the nozzle and the sample under test is very close, maintained at 175 ± 25 mm.
  • Force Verification: The impact force distribution of the jet is verified, requiring the force measured against an impact plate to be between 0.9 N and 1.2 N.

The testing process differs based on enclosure size:

  • Small Enclosures (largest dimension < 250 mm): The enclosure is mounted on a rotating turntable (5 ± 1 r/min) and sprayed at four fixed positions (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°). The duration is 30 seconds per position.
  • Large Enclosures (largest dimension $$\geq 25$$ mm): The enclosure is sprayed from all practical directions, perpendicular to the surface as far as possible. The duration is 1 min/m² of exposed surface area, with a minimum of 3 minutes.

As noted in Card 7, IPX9 only is considered a “Restricted” application, meaning it does not automatically comply with IPX5, IPX6, IPX7, or IPX8 requirements unless explicitly multiple coded (e.g., IPX6/IPX9).

Related Articles

The IEC 60529 standard establishes a unified classification system for enclosure protection against three primary hazards, applicable up to 72.5 kV

The standard IEC 60529 describes a system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment. This system is generally suitable for most electrical equipment, provided the rated voltage does not exceed 72.5 kV. The fundamental objective of this standard is multi-faceted: to provide definitions for degrees of protection, establish designations for…

The first characteristic numeral (1-4) simultaneously classifies protection against human access using specific probes and against the physical ingress of similarly sized solid objects

The first characteristic numeral (1 through 4) always implies the satisfaction of two conditions simultaneously: protection of persons against access to hazardous parts, and protection of the equipment against the ingress of solid foreign objects. This dual role ensures both operational safety and physical integrity against external contamination. The definitions for protection against access rely…

IP ratings General Testing Requirements, Acceptance Criteria, and Compliance Responsibility

Verification of IP ratings relies on standardized atmospheric conditions, non-harmful ingress acceptance criteria, and the final manufacturer’s responsibility for the completed product. All tests specified in IEC 60529 are type tests. To ensure repeatability, they should be carried out under standard atmospheric conditions, unless otherwise specified, including a temperature range of 15 °C to 35…

IPX5 and IPX6 classify resistance to direct, pressurized water streams, distinguished by the nozzle size and flow rate used during testing

Second Characteristic Numeral 5 and 6: Pressurized Water Jet Tests Degrees IPX5 and IPX6 define the enclosure’s capability to withstand forceful water jets, simulating conditions like hosing down. Both tests utilize a standard hose nozzle (Figure 6) and require spraying the enclosure from all practicable directions. The water pressure is adjusted solely to achieve the…