Ingress Protection – Dripping Water Certification Testing (IPX1 and IPX2)

Ingress protection testing tests the level of protection an enclosure provides against intrusions. One such set of ingress protection tests is called the dripping water test. These tests are numbered IPX1 or IPX2. The first digit, represented by the “X”, ranges from 0 to 6 and specifies the protection from solid particles. The second digit, in the case of dripping water, is considered to be either a 1 or 2, depending on the testing process.

Below is a brief description of the two types of dripping water tests included in ingress protection testing from IEC 60529.

IPX1 Testing:

• Defined as dripping water with vertically falling drops.
• The requirement is that the equipment under test (EUT), shall experience no harmful effects from the dripping water.
• The test details include a test duration of 10 minutes and a water equivalent to 1mm of rainfall per minute.

IPX2 Testing:

• Defined as dripping water when tilted up to 15°.
• The requirement is that the EUT shall experience no harmful effects when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position and exposed to dripping water.

For a complete list of all of the possible IPX1 and IPX2 ingress protection code combinations, as detailed in IEC 60529, please see the chart at the bottom of this page.

How To Conduct IPX1 and IPX2 Rain Certification Testing

1. Test Setup: To conduct the testing required for the IP Code certification, a specially-designed drip tray is used. Typically, only one unit is required for IP Code testing. However, at the manufacturer’s request, additional units may be tested to gain confidence in the unit’s design.
2. Water Application: For the IPX1 test, the unit is positioned beneath the drip tray and placed on a turntable, rotating at a rate of one revolution per minute. The unit is situated 100mm away from the rotational axis to ensure a uniform assessment of its entire upper surface. In contrast, the IPX2 test does not involve a turntable but necessitates testing the unit in four fixed positions while inclined at a 15-degree angle.
3. Test Duration: Both IPX1 and IPX2 tests have a duration of 10 minutes. However, the IPX2 test is divided into four 2.5-minute time frames, with each position tested separately.
4. Evaluation: Upon completion of the testing, the exterior of the unit is wiped down, and it is opened for inspection. Any signs of water ingress during the testing would be reported to the manufacturer, who will then determine whether the unit meets the pass/fail criteria.

Products that Require Ingress Protection Water Testing

Complying with international standards, IPX1 and IPX2 testing play a crucial role in producing durable, safe, and trustworthy products, instilling confidence in consumers and meeting regulatory requirements in various industries.

• Consumer Electronics: Manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and other portable electronic devices often perform IPX1 and IPX2 testing to ensure their products can withstand light water exposure and dripping.
• Home Appliances: Appliances like coffee makers, blenders, juicers, and other kitchen gadgets may require IPX1 and IPX2 testing to demonstrate their resistance to water spills and splashes.
• Automotive: Vehicle components, such as lighting systems, infotainment displays, and control panels, might undergo IPX1 and IPX2 testing to ensure they can withstand minor water exposure.
• Lighting: Lighting fixtures used in indoor and outdoor settings may undergo IPX1 and IPX2 testing to assess their resistance to water drips and splashing.
• Medical Devices: Certain medical equipment and devices, such as portable monitors or diagnostic tools, may require IPX1 and IPX2 testing to ensure their durability under specific moisture conditions.
• Industrial Equipment: Machinery and control systems used in industrial settings may undergo IPX1 and IPX2 testing to ensure they can handle water exposure during their operation.
• Recreational Devices: Waterproof or water-resistant outdoor gadgets like cameras, speakers, and action cameras might undergo IPX1 and IPX2 testing to demonstrate their ability to withstand water ingress.

Expert IPX1 and IPX2 Drip Water Testing Laboratory

What sets Keystone Compliance’s IPX1 and IPX2 dripping water testing apart is our experience in helping manufacturers determine ingress points in their products and also identifying potential solutions. We also have significant expertise in interpreting the standards, which often provides manufacturers with flexibility in determining acceptable amounts of ingress.

Additionally, if the unit is too large to be moved, it’s not an issue. We have expertise in conducting ingress protection testing at the customer’s facilities.

Why is Keystone Compliance the right IP Code lab to complete your ingress testing? Our customers enjoy our short lead times, ability to explain the process and testing requirements, consultative engineering support when failures occur and affordable pricing. It is what has made us one of the fastest growing companies in the country and most respected test labs in the region.

Contact us to receive a quote for ingress protection testing and see why we are the only ingress protection lab for so many manufacturers from around the country.

Below is a list of all of the IPX1 and IPX2 IP Code combinations along with a brief description of each test: