How to test the waterproof and dustproof IP68 of lamps?

IP68 is the highest level of dust and water resistance in GB/T 4208-2017 enclosure protection level (IP code). To evaluate the solid and waterproof performance of the enclosure, the last two digits of IPXX are mainly considered. The first X is the dustproof level from 0 to 6, with the highest level being 6; the second X is the waterproof level from 0 to 8, with the highest level being 8;

The highest protection level is IP68.

IP is the abbreviation of Ingress Protection. The IP level is the protection level of the enclosure of electrical equipment against foreign objects. It comes from the International Electrotechnical Commission's standard IEC 60529, which was also adopted as the US national standard in 2004. In this standard, for the protection of electrical equipment housing against foreign objects, the format of the IP level is IPXX, where XX is two Arabic numerals. The first number indicates the contact protection and foreign object protection level, and the second number indicates the waterproof protection level. IP is the international code used to identify the protection level. The IP level consists of two numbers. The first number indicates dustproof; the second number indicates waterproof. The larger the number, the better the protection level.

The relevant test basis in my country is the GB 4208-2008/IEC 60529-2001 "Enclosure Protection Level (IP Code)" standard requirements, and the enclosure protection level of various products is subjected to qualification assessment and determination tests; the highest detection level is IP68. Conventional product detection levels include: IP23, IP44, IP54, IP55, IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68 levels.

The purpose of the test standard is as follows:

Specify the enclosure protection level specified for electrical equipment loads;

Prevent human access to hazardous parts in the enclosure;

Prevent solid foreign objects from entering the equipment in the enclosure;

Prevent harmful effects on the equipment due to water entering the enclosure.

IP protection level

The first digit indicates the dustproof index:

A code system that indicates the enclosure's protection level against human access to hazardous parts, against the entry of solid foreign objects or water, and additional information related to these protections.

Number Protection Range Description

0 No protection No special protection for people or objects outside

1 Prevent intrusion of solid foreign objects larger than 50mm Prevent human body (such as palm) from accidentally touching the internal parts of the appliance, and prevent intrusion of larger foreign objects (diameter larger than 50mm)

2 Prevent intrusion of solid foreign objects larger than 12.5mm Prevent human fingers from touching the internal parts of the appliance, and prevent intrusion of medium-sized foreign objects (diameter larger than 12.5mm)

3 Prevent intrusion of solid foreign objects larger than 2.5mm Prevent tools, wires and similar small foreign objects with a diameter or thickness larger than 2.5mm from intruding and touching the internal parts of the appliance

4 Prevent intrusion of solid foreign objects larger than 1.0mm Prevent tools, wires and similar small foreign objects with a diameter or thickness larger than 1.0mm from intruding and touching the internal parts of the appliance

5 Prevent foreign objects and dust Completely prevent foreign objects from intruding. Although dust intrusion cannot be completely prevented, the amount of dust intrusion will not affect the normal operation of the appliance

6 Prevent foreign objects and dust Completely prevent foreign objects and dust from entering

The second digit indicates the waterproof index:

Number Protection range Description

0 No protection No special protection against water or moisture

1 Prevent water droplets from entering Vertically falling water drops (such as condensed water) will not damage the appliance

2 When tilted 15 degrees, it can still prevent water droplets from entering When the appliance is tilted from vertical to 15 degrees, dripping water will not damage the appliance

3 Prevent spraying water from entering Prevent rain or prevent water sprayed from the direction with an angle less than 60 degrees from the vertical from entering the appliance and causing damage

4 Prevent splashing water from entering Prevent splashing water from all directions from entering the appliance and causing damage

5 Prevent jetting water from entering Prevent water ejected from all directions from entering the appliance and causing damage

6 Prevent large waves from entering Appliances installed on the deck can prevent damage caused by large waves

7 Prevent water from entering during immersion The appliance is immersed in water for a certain period of time or the water pressure is below a certain standard to ensure that it is not damaged by immersion

8 Prevent water intrusion during submersion. Electrical appliances can be submerged indefinitely under the specified water pressure to ensure that they will not be damaged by water immersion.

IP68 definition

IP68 is the highest level of the connector waterproof grade standard. As we all know, the waterproof performance of waterproof connectors mainly depends on the two digits XX after IPXX. The first digit X is from 0 to 6, and the highest level is 6; the second digit X is from 0 to 8, and the highest level is 8; therefore, the highest waterproof grade of the connector is IP68. In other words, IP68 connectors are connectors with the highest waterproof grade standard. There are many connectors on the market that claim to have an IP68 waterproof grade standard, but in the true sense, there are still relatively few IP68 connectors on the market that have excellent sealing performance and safe and reliable quality. The IP68 test standard for some brands is: put the connector product into 10 meters of water and work for 2 weeks; put it into 100 meters of water and destroy it for 12 hours, and the product can still maintain good performance.

Test standard

Protection level against solid objects: completely prevent dust from entering;

Water protection level: continuous immersion under a certain pressure

This definition is rather vague. In fact, the test equipment, test conditions and test time of IP68 waterproof level should be recognized by both supply and demand parties. Its severity is naturally higher than any level below it. For example, the IP68 waterproof test of some brands of waterproof connectors is: to ensure that it can work for 2 weeks at a depth of 10 meters without water ingress; to put it in a depth of 100 meters and undergo a destructive test for 12 hours, and still maintain good performance of the product.