What you need to know about IPX9K Ingress Protection Testing

What is Ingress Protection testing?
An enclosed product’s resistance to liquid and particle infiltration is assessed during ingress protection testing. Depending on the achieved resistance to solid particles and liquids, the product is given an IP rating based on IEC 60529 after testing. The degree of protection an enclosure offers against invasions is tested through ingress protection testing. Equipment under test (EUT) exposure to high-pressure, high-temperature water jets is one of these ingress protection tests.

Waterproof Test Machine 

What Products Require Ingress Protection?
Many products in America and Canada are required to display an ingress protection (or IP) rating. Computers, laboratory equipment, certain medical gadgets, and lighting fixtures are some of these things. IP testing is occasionally optional, however dealers frequently request an IP rating from manufacturers.

How do you understand ingress protection number?
The first digit, denoted by the letter “X,” has a range from 0 to 6 and indicates whether or not solid particles will be protected. For the high-pressure and high-temperature water jets ingress prevention test, the second digit would always be a 9. LISUN offers testing of enclosures for various goods by subjecting them to high pressure and temperature water jets for IPX9 and IPX9K, along with other ingress protection testing for dust and water.

The greatest water ingress protection grade currently offered is IPX9K. Even though IPX9K testing was initially created for automotive vehicles, it is now widely used in the consumer product, electronics, and military industries. Both the IPX9 and IPX9K ratings indicate that a product can withstand water jets that are sprayed at high temperatures and pressure, however the testing methods and specifications differ.

In order to assess how well electronic components and product casings protect against liquids and foreign objects, IPx9K uses high-pressure steam cleaning and pressure washing. The impact of degradation on seals, connectors, wires, and mounting equipment is measured using a mixture of heat, water ingress, and chemical detergents. The test technique for the IPX9 rating is defined by IEC 60529, whilst the IPX9K test procedure is defined by ISO 20653.

Testing standards
JL-9K1L High Temperature and Pressure Jet Waterproof Test Chamber is in accordance with GB4208, DIN40050-9, GB7000.1, ISO20653 and VW80000 for protection level IPX9K testing and IEC60529:1989 +A1:1999 +A2:2013 “Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures (IP Code)”. It is a water-resistant test device created for the electrical, electronic, and automotive industries to replicate the natural world or human elements.

IPX9 test according to IEC 60529
The IPX9 test is performed by utilizing a test nozzle prescribed in IEC 60529 to spray a stream of water onto the enclosure. In this test, the impact force of the water jets is measured specifically to determine the distribution force of the water being sprayed.

IPX9K Test according to ISO 20653
Any equipment designed for mounting outside of a passenger compartment must pass IPX9K testing, according to ISO 20653.

What are IPX9K Testing Levels
The ingress protection IPx9K has four levels. These are:

Level 1: Standard Testing
Standard testing uses simply water and is the least harsh procedure; the product’s entire surface must be exposed for at least three seconds.

Level 2: Standard Testing with Detergent
The requirements for Level 2 of IPx9K are the same as those for normal testing, but the temperature is raised and a cleaning detergent is added.

Level 3: Harsh Test
The strict IPx9K Level 3 classification mandates hot, high pressure water with 100% product exposure for at least three seconds on each side.

Level 4: Extreme Test 
In order to test products under harsh conditions, Level 4 of IPx9K uses high-pressured, high-temperature steam cleaning.

Specifications of Waterproof Test Chamber
This room has a large glass observation window, high-quality stainless steel interior and exterior, and a sophisticated appearance. The spray lance and turntable both use imported motors with customizable rotation speeds. Dimensions of the working chamber are 1000x1000x1000mm. Test duration can be adjusted but is typically 30 seconds. On a turntable, smaller specimens gently rotate at 4 distinct orientations. Larger specimens are evaluated freehand for at least three minutes at a distance of 0.15–0.2 m while mounted upright, without the need for a turntable.

Each of the four angles will be tested for 30 seconds, totaling two minutes. Angle of Water Ring can be set to 0, 30, 60, or 90 degrees. The angle can also be changed. There are four blowholes. With the valve on the nozzle, the nozzle hole is dispersed counterclockwise at an angle of 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° based on a horizontal line. There is a required nozzle and configurable spray sequence. 80 5° is the tank’s water temperature.

Additionally adjustable, the temperature also features water overflow safety. Manual adjustment is available for the 100mm–200mm spraying distance. At a distance of 0.10-0.15 meters, the spraying pressure ranges from 8000 to 10000 kPa (81.5 to 101.9 kg/cm2). The flow rate of the electrical high temperature flow meter is 14–16 L/min. The testing table rotates at a rate of 5–17 rpm. The motor rotates the turbine slowly, using a frequency converter to control speed and modify it to the proper speed. The largest sample size allowed is 15 kg/400 mm.

How to prepare for the test
Some steps need to be taken to prepare before the test. You will need a power supply that runs at 380V, 50Hz. A pressure-driven water delivery. It is suggested to use purified water. The last thing you will need is a drain box or specialized drain tank.

How to conduct the test
Connect the 380V three-phase power supply. Here, you need to pay attention to the difference between the ground wire, zero line, and fire wire. Then you attach the water supply network. Water pressure is required, and it is advised to use pure water. The drainage system is then connected to the drain tap. It is kept closed during the standard test.

Next, you pull the electrical plugs out by loosening the screws. From the bottom seal, insert the sample input cable, and then secure the wire to the plug. After that, secure both the bottom seal and the screw. Prior to delivery, we always adjust the water beam pressure. Open the door and place the pressure calibration instrument on the turntable to check or adjust the pressure.

Keep in mind that the pressure calibration device’s probe piece needs to be parallel to the calibrated nozzle. Next you connect the phone line. Enter the HM Surface of the touch screen for calibration after shutting the door. In the beginning, select “Force calibration pressure Zero Reset.” Then press both the pump switch and the 90-degree sprinkler button.

On the touch screen, note the reading. The pressure is acceptable if the reading is between 0.9 and 1.2N. You can get ready for the test by taking out the pressure calibration equipment. The manual frequency value must be decreased by 0.1 or 0.2 each time if the pressure reading is too high. You must raise the manual frequency by 0.1 or 0.2 each time if the pressure reading is too low.

When the required pressure is reached, the reference frequency value is changed to one that is equivalent to the manual frequency. To remove the pressure calibration tool, click on the “Water Pump Switch” + “90° Spray Head.” After installing the sample, launch the test. Fix the tested item to the stage and the sprinkler’s test position. To fix the distance of the nozzle, adjust 30° and 60°. The 0 degree nozzle’s location should be adjusted.

Adapt the turntable’s height (corresponding to the distance of 90 degree nozzles). Enter the Test Parameter after which you can adjust the Spray Time (30 seconds), Sprinkler Interval (10 seconds), Temperature Setting (80 C), Turntable Speed (5 r / min), and other test parameters. Finally, start the experiment by logging into the Working Interface. Keep in mind that the test won’t begin until the water temperature reaches the desired level unless you first push the “Heating” button. The test should be kept open by heating. You must press the Zero Reset button to start each test. Please examine the samples after the test to see if they meet IEC60529 -2013 standards.

How can you ensure a successful test
Testing for IPX9 and IPX9K is very rigorous. During testing, rubber and plastic components frequently melt and deform. When it comes to designing the equipment enclosure, seals, and exposed components, material choice and form retention under load are of the utmost importance. The product is put under a ton of stress for those two minutes at temperatures of almost 180° F and pressures of up to 1450 PSI.

Benefit of waterproof test chambers
Our expertise in assisting manufacturers in detecting ingress locations in their goods as well as viable solutions sets LISUN’s waterproof test chambers distinct. We also have a great deal of experience interpreting the regulations, which frequently gives manufacturers freedom in figuring out what levels of ingress are permissible. The mere possibility of some liquid entering an enclosure does not inevitably imply that the unit does not adhere to the specifications. No issue if the unit that needs testing is too big to relocate. At the customer’s premises, we have experience conducting ingress protection testing.

Waterproof Test Machine JL-7

FAQs
What makes IPX9K testing different from IPX9 testing?
Both IPX9 and IPX9K ratings indicate that a product can withstand water jets that are sprayed at high temperatures and pressure, however the testing process and standards are different for each certification. IEC 60529 and ISO 20653 both specify test procedures for IPX9 and IPX9K ratings, respectively.

What does IPX9″K” K’s stand for?
The test pressure requirements are denoted by “K.” The 10000 KPA pressure requirement for IPX9K testing has been expanded to other protection grades, such as 4K and 6K, and actually maintains the requirement of the water spray pressure. Therefore, we should be aware that “K” primarily discussed the need for water pressure.

What materials are present in the waterproof test chamber?
A heating water tank, a high pressure plunger pump, a high pressure solenoid valve, a fan nozzle, a turntable, and other components make up the equipment.

Lisun Instruments Limited was found by LISUN GROUP in 2003. LISUN quality system has been strictly certified by ISO9001:2015. As a CIE Membership, LISUN products are designed based on CIE, IEC and other international or national standards. All products passed CE certificate and authenticated by the third party lab.

Our main products are Goniophotometer, Integrating Sphere, Spectroradiometer, Surge Generator, ESD Simulator Guns, EMI Receiver, EMC Test Equipment, Electrical Safety Tester, Environmental Chamber, Temperature Chamber, Climate Chamber, Thermal Chamber, Salt Spray Test, Dust Test Chamber, Waterproof Test, RoHS Test (EDXRF), Glow Wire Test and Needle Flame Test.

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