Determine your product's susceptibility to solid particle ingress as well as water ingress with Element’s  IP Ingress Protection testing services. Supporting you to achieve regulatory compliance with a wide range of industry standards. We offer climatic facilities for precision, custom testing in challenging environments including highly calibrated equipment such as immersion tanks, specialized nozzles and walk-in chambers for assessing large components.

 

What is IP Ingress protection testing? 

Ingress Protection testing, or IP testing, is a comprehensive evaluation process designed to assess your product's vulnerability to the infiltration of solid particles, such as sand or dust, and the penetration of liquids, e.g. water. This testing methodology is crucial for various industries, and is used across a broad range of aviation, military and automotive applications. 
By completing this testing, your product will receive an IP rating, which is a standardised code across industries, and can be compared against the required standards for your product type. 

 

Key benefits of IP Ingress protection testing with Element

  • Demonstrate Corporate Responsibility: Engaging in IP testing prioritizes product quality, reliability, and sustainability. This commitment resonates with environmentally conscious consumers and contributes to a positive corporate image.
  • Align with Industry Standards: IP Ingress Protection testing with Element ensures alignment with industry standards, reinforcing your commitment to delivering products that meet or exceed established norms. This adherence to standards enhances your standing in the industry and builds stakeholder trust.
  • Build Market Competitiveness: Products with proven durability through IP testing gain a competitive edge in the market. Consumers and businesses prioritize reliable devices, making IP-rated products more attractive and bolstering your position in the market.
  • Extend Product Lifespan and Reduce Environmental Impact: Products that can withstand environmental conditions maintain a longer lifespan, aligning with sustainability goals and minimizing replacements. This testing-led, proactive approach enhances durability and contributes significantly to reducing the environmental impact linked to premature product failures and replacements. With fewer discarded materials, you actively embrace environmentally conscious practices and promote a sustainable product lifecycle.
  • Economically Efficient Durability: IP Ingress Protection testing enhances durability, is crucial for challenging environments, and aligns with sustainability goals. Achieving resilience through testing translates into cost savings over the product lifecycle, reducing maintenance and replacement costs for a more economically efficient and robust product.

 

Optimize your product design with IP Ingress Protection testing 

Element’s IP Ingress Protection testing offers a collaborative approach, where our team of expert professionals assist you in making informed decisions about design modifications based on test results. With your budget and development schedule in mind, open communication, and a client-centered approach, we aim to support you in achieving optimal product performance and durability while maintaining precision and cost-effectiveness.

 

Navigating global markets 

Get invaluable guidance on international market access requirements. Our experts are dedicated to helping you understand and meet IP ingress protection testing standards, tailored to various markets. Whether you are attempting to decipher complex regulatory landscapes or navigating specific standards for different regions, we’ll help ensure your products meet the necessary IP ratings and comply seamlessly with international market demands, positioning them for global success.

“Quick to provide turnaround on quotes and provide feedback on how testing would be performed [...] saves us a lot of time and headache compared to other test labs we have worked with and generally work with our engineers to ensure that tests go smoothly.”

PKC Group North America

Steven Peets

Our IP Ingress Protection Testing Services and Capabilities

  • IP Testing (IEC 60529): Utilize the international standard (IEC 60529) to ascertain the IP Code rating, gauging the efficacy of electrical equipment enclosures against solid particles and liquid intrusion.
  • Electrical Enclosure Rating Testing (NEMA 250 & UL 50E): Leverage North American standards (NEMA 250) to assess additional features, construction functionality, and protection against environmental hazards in electrical enclosures for hazardous areas.
  • High-Pressure Steam Jet Cleaning (DIN 40050-9): Engage in assessments for road vehicle electrical equipment, evaluating protection against foreign objects, water, and unauthorized access.
  • Water Resistance of Shipping Containers (ASTM D951): Determine the water resistance of shipping containers, safeguarding contents from water-induced deterioration. This is commonly paired with drop, impact, vibration, or compression tests.

IPx9K Testing 
In addition to the services above, our engaged experts specialize in providing the IPx9K evaluation process for water ingress protection, helping you achieve the highest rating. Initially developed for automotive products, it is widely utilized in electronics, military, and consumer industries. 

This testing methodology employs high-pressure steam cleaning and pressure washing to assess protection against fluids and foreign objects, measuring the impact on seals, connectors, wires, and mounting equipment. Our experts offer comprehensive IPx9K testing methods, including those from DIN 40 050 and SAE J1455, providing flexibility with testing options at levels 1 through 4 tailored to meet your project requirements.

 

Why choose Element? 

Choose Element as your preferred partner for Ingress Protection testing and benefit from our state-of-the-art environmental simulation labs equipped to meet various specifications, including RTCA-DO-160 (avionics), MIL-STD’s (military), IEC 60259 & NEMA 250 (electronics), as well as DIN and SAE standards (automotive). We are proud to offer the widest range of climatic testing facilities in the UK and to benefit from our global network of testing laboratories and experts.
At Element, our experts employ precision-calibrated IP testing equipment such as immersion tanks, specialized nozzles, and dust apparatus tailored to the required IP rating. We can test even large components and enclosures with purpose-built walk-in test chambers. We can guide and advise on custom testing methods, ensuring your specific requirements are met with precision and expertise.
To discuss your IP ingress protection testing requirements, contact our experts today, or learn more about Element’s credentials.  
 

Our experts are able to test to a wide range of international standards, which includes but is not limited to:

Amd 1 

BS EN 60529:1991 (2000) 
BS EN 60598-1:2008 Clause 9.2 

DIN 40 050-9 
DIN 40050-9 

EN 60529 

GMW 3431 

GR-3120-CORE (with optical measurements) 
GR-3123-CORE (with optical measurements) 
GR-3125-CORE
GR-3178-CORE 
GR-326-CORE (with optical measurements) 
GR-487-CORE
GR-771-CORE (with optical measurements)
GR-937-CORE
GR-950-CORE 
GR-950-CORE (with optical measurements) 

IEC 20653 IPX9K
IEC 60068-2-68
IEC 60529
IEC 60529:1989 
IEC 60529:1989/A2:2013
IEC 60529:2001

IP X6
IP44 
IP5X – Sections 13.4 and 13.5 
IP6X – Sections 13.4 and 13.6 
IPX 9k – Section 14.2.3 
IPX3 
IPX3 – Section 14.2.3
IPX4 - Section 14.2.3
IPX5 - Section 14.2.5
IPX6
IPX6 - Section 14.2.6 
IPX7 – Section 14.2.7 
IPX8 – Section 14.2.8

ISO 20653 

JIS D 0207 

Lloyds Register Specification No 1:1996:Enclosure test

MIL-STD 810G (Method 510.5)
MIL-STD-202 – Method 110 
MIL-STD-810 – Method 510
MIL-STD-810 – Method 512 (Immersion)

NEMA 250
NEMA 250 (2014)

RCTA DO 160G:2010 (Section 12.4)
RCTA/DO-160 – Section 10 
RCTA/DO-160 – Section 12 

TR 2130C:2002

UL 50 (2007)
UL 50E (2007)

 

A Guide to Ingress Protection Ratings

A guide to help you select an Ingress Protection Rating to perform IP testing to, used to determine if a product's enclosure will protect the working parts.  READ MORE

Electrotechnology Enclosure Testing: IEC 60529 and NEMA 250

Element breaks down the IEC 60529 and NEMA 250 ingress protection test specifications. Understand the rating systems and the different levels of solid and water protection.  READ MORE

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