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IP Ingress Protection (IP Rating) Testing Services

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IP Ingress Protection (IP Rating) Testing Services

Compatible Electronics performs IP ingress protection testing per IEC 60529 — verifying enclosure protection against solid objects and water — as part of NVLAP-accredited safety evaluations at our laboratory (Lab Code 200527-0). IP ratings are required by IEC 60335-1, IEC 60601-1, IEC 60204-1, and most product safety standards.

NVLAP Lab Code 200527-0 IEC 60529 IP Ratings IP20 through IP68 IEC 60601-1 · IEC 60335-1 · IEC 60204-1 Lake Forest · Brea · Newbury Park

What is IP Ingress Protection Testing?

IP (Ingress Protection) testing per IEC 60529 classifies the degree of protection provided by an electrical enclosure against the intrusion of solid foreign objects (first digit) and water (second digit). The IP code directly impacts product safety — inadequate protection against solid objects can allow users to touch live parts, while inadequate water protection can cause short circuits or electric shock in wet environments.

Most IEC product safety standards mandate a minimum IP rating for specific product categories — for example, IEC 60335-1 requires IP2X minimum for accessible openings, IEC 60601-1 specifies IP requirements for medical equipment used in wet environments, and IEC 60204-1 requires enclosure ratings appropriate to the installation environment. IP testing is performed in conjunction with dielectric strength and leakage current testing as part of a complete safety evaluation.

💡 IPXXB probe test: The IPXXB test uses a jointed test finger (the "B" probe) to verify that live parts cannot be reached through enclosure openings. This test appears in virtually every IEC safety standard as the baseline protection requirement — including IEC 62368-1, IEC 60335-1, and IEC 60601-1.

IP Tests We Perform

  • IP1X — IP6X: Solid object protection
  • IPXXB: Jointed test finger probe — live parts access test (all standards)
  • IPXXD: Test wire probe — 1 mm wire access test
  • IP2X: 12.5 mm sphere probe — finger protection
  • IP4X: 1 mm wire probe — tool protection
  • IP5X / IP6X: Dust protection — dust-protected and dust-tight
  • IPX1 / IPX2: Drip-proof — vertical and 15° dripping water
  • IPX3 / IPX4: Spray-proof — spraying and splashing water
  • IPX5 / IPX6: Jet-proof — water jets and powerful water jets
  • IPX7: Immersion — temporary submersion to 1 m
  • IPX8: Continuous immersion — manufacturer-specified depth
  • Post-IP leakage current — IEC 60601-1 wet condition leakage

Standards Requiring IP Testing

  • IEC 60335-1 — Clause 8: IPXXB probe; Clause 15: Moisture resistance
  • IEC 60601-1 — Clause 11.6: IP classification for wet environments
  • IEC 62368-1 — Clause 4.8: IPXXB probe test for live part access
  • IEC 61010-1 — Clause 6.5: Degree of protection of enclosures
  • IEC 60204-1 — Clause 11.3: Degrees of protection of enclosures
  • IEC 61851 — Outdoor EV charging station IP requirements
  • EN 957 — Fitness equipment enclosure protection
  • IEC 60730-1 — IP requirements for automatic controls

Related Safety Tests

Dielectric Strength / Hi-Pot Testing Leakage Current Testing Ground Continuity Testing Temperature Rise Testing IEC 60335-1 Appliance Safety IEC 60601-1 Medical Safety IEC 60204-1 Machinery Safety All Safety Testing Services

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