As the automotive industry increasingly relies on electronic components to operate various systems in vehicles, it has become essential to ensure that these components are adequately protected from harmful environmental factors like water and dust. This is where the concept of Ingress Protection (IP) comes into play. In this article, we will provide a guide to IP codes for vehicle electrical components incorporating the standard ISO 20653.

The IP rating is a standard used to describe the degree of protection offered by an enclosure or device against the ingress of solid objects, dust, and water. The IP code consists of two digits. The first digit refers to the level of protection against solid objects, while the second digit indicates the degree of protection against water.

Let’s begin by looking at the first digit of the IP code. This digit ranges from 0 to 6 and describes the level of protection provided against solid objects. Here’s what each digit means:

• IP0X: No protection against solid objects.
• IP1X: Protection against solid objects greater than 50mm in size.
• IP2X: Protection against solid objects greater than 12.5mm in size.
• IP3X: Protection against solid objects greater than 2.5mm in size.
• IP4X: Protection against solid objects greater than 1mm in size.
• IP5X: Limited ingress permitted; no harmful effects from dust.
• IP6X: Totally protected against dust.
• IP6KX: Totally protected against dust – ISO 20653 Test, A2 Dust

Moving on to the second digit of the IP code, which ranges from 0 to 9, this digit describes the level of protection against water. Here’s what each digit means:

• IPX0: No protection against water.
• IPX1: Protection against water splashed from any direction.
• IPX2: Protection against water splashed from any direction, limited ingress permitted.
• IPX3: Protection against falling drops of water up to 60 degrees from vertical.
• IPX4: Protection against water splashed from any direction, limited ingress permitted, and no harmful effects from water sprayed from a low-pressure nozzle.
• IPX4K: Protection against water splashed from any direction, limited ingress permitted, and no harmful effects from water sprayed from a low-pressure nozzle.
• IPX5: Protection against water sprayed from a nozzle with a 6.3mm diameter, limited ingress permitted.
• IPX6: Protection against water sprayed from a nozzle with a 12.5mm diameter, limited ingress permitted.
• IPX6K: Protection against water sprayed from a nozzle with a 6.3mm diameter, 1000 kPa, limited ingress permitted.
• IPX7: Protection against immersion in water up to 1m deep for up to 30 minutes.
• IPX8: Protection against immersion in water beyond 1m deep for extended periods.
• IPX9: Protection against high-pressure water jets from any direction, limited ingress permitted.
• IPX9K: Protection against heated high-pressure water jets from any direction

In conclusion, the IP code is an essential aspect of ensuring that vehicle electrical components are adequately protected from the ingress of harmful environmental factors like water and dust. By incorporating the standard ISO 20653, automotive manufacturers can ensure that their products meet the required level of protection against solid objects and water, as well as any other harmful effects from external factors. By understanding the IP code and how it is determined, automotive professionals can make informed decisions when selecting electrical components for vehicles, ultimately resulting in safer and more reliable vehicles for consumers.