All about IP Protection Rating: What Rating can I Use?

Electronics Enclosure, IP Protection Rating, Electrical Enclosures, Server Rack Enclosures,

Just recently, a very close friend of mine decided that she wants to sell some of her stuff. These are the things in her house she thinks she does not need anymore. One of the items she owned was a custom-tailored dress that she had made for a very special occasion. For me it was a very beautiful night gown with a very unique and pretty sense of style. For me, my friend is a fashion icon of her own right.

She utilized elements and colors that she saw from different gown styles that can fit her body type and her taste in fashion. She had them all mashed up into one. Since it is a custom dress that had to be taken and repaired for a few times, she is now having a hard time on deciding how she can advertise the dress? She is not sure what style her dress shows now because of different ideas rolled into one. With this, I suggested that she states in her advertisement when was the last time dress was won and for what occasion it was used.

There are also other things in life we find it hard to put the right title on it. There are items that are hard to designate a title with. While there are things that are created with a specific purpose and intention in mind, it does not mean that they have formal certifications. This also holds true when it comes to the electronics enclosure.

There are enclosure series produced by companies that are coming from specific characteristics the designers had in mind. They wanted and desired to have an enclosure that can meet the IP66 standards. This means that their electronics enclosure should be able to protect the equipment from the water and dust ingress that can protect and shield the electronics effectively inside the enclosure.

Little did they know that the IP ratings of enclosures can be greatly affected by the way the enclosures were machined. While it makes a lot of sense the the whole idea behind the IP66 is that the water should be prevented from entering and getting inside the electronics. While machining a hole for customization purposes can potentially allow the water inside the enclosure and it can bring great harm to the equipment housed inside. This can create a new opening and there are potential ways to circumvent and damage the rating.

This is the main reason why some of the enclosure manufacturing companies cannot certify their enclosure design because they will go against the standard IP rating definitions because some of the characteristics will be totally compromised. Because they know that the need to machine the equipment is depending on the need for accommodating certain connectors and cables for the equipment. At this point, the rating is no longer valid.

There are cable glands available to prevent the water from entering the enclosure. Just ask the company you are sending your inquiry to if they have one of these available. It can help your equipment be protected from possible water ingress.