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Amazon Type A – 2019-08-19T134507.528

ISO 20653 IP Code Testing for Road Vehicles

ISO 20653 testing determines the degrees of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment on road vehicles against foreign objects. Foreign objects are defined in ISO 20653 as dust, access and water. ISO 20653 is harmonized with the International Protection Code, also known as the IP Code, by having codes with two numbers followed by two optional letters. In the IP Code, the first number signifies the degree of protection the enclosure provides against solid objects. The second number signifies the degree of protection against water.

The ISO 20653 test standard specifies the testing requirements based on the type of vehicle and mounting location of the device. The types of vehicles include:

  • Passenger vehicles.
  • Motor buses as well as commercial vehicles; special vehicles and road tractors and relevant trailers.
  • Agricultural tractors and relevant trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Vehicles for special purposes

Some examples of the mounting positions spelled out in ISO-20653 include the passenger compartment, engine compartment covered, engine compartment exposed and eternal attachment. The specific test requirements range from dripping water to splashing water, to spraying water to high-velocity water. Each device’s requirement is determined by the mounting position.

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, especially ISO 20653 testing and see why we are the only ingress protection lab for so many manufacturers from around the country.

Please contact us with your next ISO 20653 ingress protection test to learn why hundreds of manufacturers work with Keystone Compliance on an annual basis to achieve their regulatory compliance test needs.

The remainder of this page outlines the different tests parameters located in the ISO 20653 standard:

Overview of All IP Code Elements and Meaning 
ElementIPMeaning of the protection of electrical equipmentMeaning of the protection of persons
First Code of Element Against foreign objects (including dust):Against Access:
0Not protectedNot protected
1With diameter > 50 mmWith back of hand
2With diameter >12,5 mmWith finger
3With diameter > 2,5 mmWith tool
4With diameter > 1,0 mmWith wire
5KDust protectedWith wire
6KDust tightWith wire
Second Code Element Against water:Not applicable
0Not protected
1Vertical water drips
2Water drips (15 degrees inclination)
3Water spray
4Splash water
4KSplash water with increased pressure
5High-velocity water
6Strong high-velocity water
6KStrong high-velocity water with increased pressure
7Temporary immersion
8Continuous submersion
9KHigh pressure/steam-jet cleaning
Additional Letter (optional) Not applicableAgainst access (unless described by first letter)
AWith back of hand
BWith finger
CWith tool
DWith wire
Supplementary Letter (optional)MMovement of moveable parts during water testNot applicable
SStandstill of moveable parts during water test

 

Degrees of Protection Against Foreign Objects
First code elementDegree of protection
Brief description Requirements
0Not protectedNone
1Foreign objects diameter ≥ 50 mmTest probe with diameter 50 mm shall not penetrate completely
2Foreign objects diameter ≥ 12,5 mmTest probe with diameter 12,5 mm shall not penetrate completely
3Foreign objects diameter ≥ 2,5 mmTest probe with diameter 2,5 mm shall not penetrate completely
4Foreign objects diameter ≥ 1,0 mmTest probe with diameter 1,0 mm shall not penetrate completely
5KDustDust shall only penetrate in quantities which do not impair performance and safety.
6KDustDust shall not penetrate
NOTE “Shall not penetrate completely” indicates that the full diameter shall not pass through an opening of the enclosure.

 

Degrees of Protection Against Access
First code elementAdditional letterDegree of protection
Brief descriptionRequirements
0Not protectedNone
1ABack of hand (no protection against intentional contact)Test probe with diameter 50 mm shall not penetrate completely and maintain sufficient distance from hazardous parts.
2BFingerJointed test finger with diameter 12 mm may penetrate completely, but shall maintain a sufficient distance from hazardous parts.
3CToolTest probe with diameter 2,5 mm, 100 mm long, may penetrate completely, but shall maintain a sufficient distance from hazardous parts.
4DWireTest probe with diameter 1,0 mm, 100 mm long, may penetrate completely, but shall maintain a sufficient distance
5KDWire
6KDWire
NOTE “Shall not penetrate completely” indicates that the full diameter shall not pass through an opening of the enclosure.

 

Degrees of protection against water
Second code elementDegree of protection
Brief descriptionRequirements
0Not protectedNone
1Water drips verticallyVertical drips shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance.
2Water drips with enclosure inclined by 15°Vertical drips shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15° on either side of the vertical.
3Water sprayWater spray at an angle up to 60° on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects or impair performance.
4Splash waterWater which splashes against the enclosure from any direction shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance.
4KSplash water with increased pressureWater which splashes against the enclosure from any direction with increased pressure shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance.
5High-velocity waterWater which is directed against the enclosure from any direction as a jet shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance.
6Strong high-velocity waterWater which is directed against the enclosure from any direction as a strong jet shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance.
6KStrong high-velocity water with increased pressureWater which is directed against the enclosure from any direction as a strong jet with increased pressure shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance.
7Temporary immersion in waterWater shall not penetrate in a quantity causing harmful effects or impair performance if the enclosure is immersed in water temporarily under specified pressure and time conditions.
8Continuous immersion in waterWater shall not penetrate in a quantity causing harmful effects if the enclosure is continuously immersed in water under conditions which shall be agreed between supplier and car manufacturer, but which are more severe than code 7.
9KWater during high-pressure/steam-jet cleaningWater which is directed against the enclosure from any direction shall not have any harmful effects or impair performance.