Weatherproof Waterproof and IP Rating
Certain cameras and electronic equipment enclosures have been designed to be protected against harmful ingress of particles and water. A standard, BS EN 60529, has been developed to quantify and classify the degree of protection. of these enclosures.
The degree of protection of an enclosure is indicated by its international protection rating or IP rating. An IP rating has 5 parts.
- IP - stands for international protection. This is sometimes misread as ingress protection.
- First number - indicates protection of persons by prevention or limiting ingress of parts of the human body or solid objects
- Second number - indicates resistance to ingress of water
- Additional letter - optional indicator for enhanced personnel protection
- Supplementary letter - optional indicator used for specific applications
Protection against foreign objects
For CCTV cameras, an IP rating with the first number and the second number is usually given. The first number indicates protection against ingress of foreign objects and can be one of the following numbers:
| Number | Requirement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | |
| 1 | full penetration of 50.0mm diameter sphere is prevented | Back of hand cannot enter |
| 2 | full penetration of 12.5mm diameter sphere is prevented | Test finger cannot access hazardous parts |
| 3 | full penetration of 2.5mm diameter probe is prevented | |
| 4 | full penetration of 1.0mm diameter probe is prevented | |
| 5 | limited ingress of dust is permitted | |
| 6 | total protection against ingress of dust |
Protection against water
The second number indicates protection against ingress of water. It can have one of the following values:
| Number | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | protection against vertically falling drops of water |
| 2 | protection against verticall falling drops of water with enclosure tilted 15 degrees from the vertical |
| 3 | protection against sprays to 60 degrees from the vertical |
| 4 | protection against water splashed from all directions |
| 5 | protection against low pressure jets of water from all directions |
| 6 | protection against strong jets of water |
| 7 | protection against effect of immersion between 15.0 cm and 1.0m |
| 8 | protection against long periods of immersion under pressure |
NEMA Ratings and IP Equivalency
Sometimes, instead of an IP rating, NEMA ratings are given. Fortunately, most have NEMA ratings have equivalent IP ratings. Siemon provides the table below:
| NEMA Rating | NEMA Definition | IP Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt | 10 |
| 2 | Enclosures constructed for indoor used to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment, to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids | 11 |
| 3 | Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor used to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to proved a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and that will undamaged by external formation of ice on the enclosure | 54 |
| 3R | Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor used to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, and snow; and that will be undamaged by external formation of ice on the enclosure | 14 |
| 3S | Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and in which the external mechanism(s) remain operable when ice laden. | 54 |
| 4 | Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure | 56 |
| 4X | Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water, and corrosion; and that will be undamaged by thee external formation of ice on the enclosure | 56 |
| 5 | Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against settling airborne dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids. | 52 |
| 6 | Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure. | 67 |
| 6P | Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to the personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure | 67 |
| 12 and 12K | Enclosures constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flying; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids | 52 |
| 13 | Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and against the spraying, splashing, and seepage of water, oil, and noncorrosive coolants. | 54 |
Limitations for weatherproof applications
Continuous exposure to weather have effects that are not covered by the BS EN 60529 standard. Aside from the IP rating, these factors should also be considered:
- Material and finish - resistance to corrosion is dependent on type of material used and finish
- Wind - strong wind can hurl sharp objects at an enclosure
- Condensation - occasional temperature changes can cause moisture to form inside
References
"Guide to the 'IP' Codes for Enclosures." Degree of Protection. 3rd. The Electrical Installation Equipment Manufacturers' Association, Print.
"NEMA Ratings and IP Equivalency Chart." Siemon Network Cabling Solutions. Siemon, n.d. Web. 3 May 2011.
