Dust Protected and Dust Tight (IP5X & IP6X)

Ingress protection testing tests the level of protection an enclosure provides against intrusions. Intrusions can mean water or solids. The smallest solid tested is dust ingress testing. Dust testing labs must use calibrated material to complete the IP Code dust testing.

The degree of dust protection is specified by the IP Code. The Ingress Protection IP testing provides two numbers. The first number is the protection from solids. The second number is the protection from liquids.

The IP Codes, obtained from dust testing, are denoted as IP5X and IP6X. The value of X in these codes ranges from zero to nine, reflecting the enclosure’s level of water resistance. For enclosures that provide dust protection, the first number is 5, while dust-tight cases have a first number of 6.

IP5X Dust Protected Enclosure

IEC 60529 provides the IP5X meaning and is considered the IP5X standard. A dust protected enclosure is an enclosure where the ingress of dust is not entirely prevented. The IP rating for these enclosures are IP 5X dust protected.

To be considered IP 5X test protected, dust must not enter in a sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment. Therefore, the IP5X dust test requires an assessment of the equipment operations to claim IP5X protection.

IP6X Dust Tight Enclosure

A dust tight enclosure is defined as having a degree of protection where no ingress of dust. The ingress protection ratings for these enclosures are IP 6X dust tight. Unlike IP 5X dust testing, the IP 6X test requires no additional assessment as the presence of any dust in the enclosure is considered unacceptable.

The enclosures have an IP Code of IP6X meaning it is dust tight and can have various degrees of water protection.

IP5X and IP6X Ingress Protection Testing Laboratory Testing Procedures

IP5X Testing:

IP5X testing assesses the degree of protection against dust ingress. The “5” in IP5X indicates the level of protection against solid particles (dust). The test is carried out as follows:

1. Test Setup: The product or equipment to be tested is placed inside a test chamber.
2. Dust Application: Fine dust particles with a specified size are blown towards the product from different directions using a dust distributor or a similar device. The dust particles used for testing have a defined size to ensure consistency in the test.
3. Test Duration: The product is exposed to the blowing dust for a specified period.
4. Evaluation: After the exposure, the product is examined to check if any dust has penetrated the enclosure and affected its performance.

IP6X Testing:

IP6X testing evaluates the degree of protection against the ingress of dust, particularly fine dust. The “6” in IP6X indicates a higher level of protection against solid particles compared to IP5X. The testing procedure is more stringent and involves the following steps:

1. Test Setup: Similar to IP5X testing, the product is placed inside a test chamber.
2. Dust Application: A considerable amount of fine dust with a specified size is introduced into the test chamber, completely surrounding the product.
3. Test Duration: The product is exposed to the fine dust for a specified period, which is usually longer than in IP5X testing.
4. Evaluation: After the exposure time, the product is thoroughly inspected to determine if any dust has entered the enclosure and caused damage or affected its functionality.

Products that Require Dust Testing

Most military products are often exposed to falling dirt, blowing sand, or other fine particles. Mining and construction equipment also typically operate in harsh environments.

In addition, many medical devices and consumer electronics must be tested. Even though they operate in clean environments, the presence of dust can impact operations. Opening in enclosures such as fans and vents can attract buildups of material. Over time, this buildup can impact operations.

In a worst case scenario, dust explosions can occur. Combustible dust can accumulate and create hazardous locations. Mitigating this potentially dangerous situation is extremely important.

IP Dust and Water Resistance Evaluations

As previously mentioned, enclosures are evaluated on their protection against solid objects and liquids. An example would be water and dust resistant IP68. In this case, the enclosure is dust tight. It also met the requirements for immersion beyond one meter.

Another example is an enclosure that is IP67 water and dust resistant. The six represents dust tight. The seven represents immersion in water up to one meter. For a complete list of all of the possible IP5X ratings and IP6X ingress protection code combinations from IEC 60529, please see the chart at the bottom of this page.

Why Is Keystone Compliance a Great Ingress Protection Dust Lab

Keystone Compliance distinguishes itself in IP5X dust protected and IP6X dust tight testing through our extensive experience. Our team possesses a comprehensive understanding of the relevant test standards, enabling us to conduct evaluations with utmost precision and accuracy. This commitment to a meticulous approach guarantees reliable and dependable testing results.

In the event that the unit requiring testing is immovable due to its size, rest assured, we possess extensive expertise in conducting ingress protection testing directly at the customer’s facilities. Our largest dust chamber ever built was approximately 15 feet cubed!

In addition to the speed and accuracy, customers enjoy our ability to explain the process and testing requirements. Our consultative engineering support when failures occur is important. We are here to help. Lastly, we also offer affordable pricing and volume discounts.

This combination of services is what has made Keystone Compliance one of the fastest growing companies in the country. We have an ISO-17025 accreditation, which ensures our test reports are accepted around the world.

Request a quote to receive a quote for ingress protection testing. Ready to get started? Contact us to see why so many manufacturers trust Keystone with their ingress protection certification testing.

Below is a list of all of the IP5X and IP6X IP Code combinations along with a brief description of each test: