Higher IP of luminaires is not synonymous with more protection

There is some confusion around the safety and degrees of protection offered by the IP of the luminaires, such as Leandro Boyano, R&D engineer outdoor lighting en Artesolar, explica a continuación.

La extendida creencia de que mayor grado IP implica mejor estanqueidad no es cierta en todos los casos. Para los menos avezados, First of all, cabe aclarar que la IP (international protection) son las siglas de dos dígitos que se indican en las lámparas para señalar, con el primer número, la protección contra los objetos y entrada de polvo y, con la segunda, la cobertura contra el agua.

Ambos datos determinan el grado de estanqueidad, I mean, el ‘blindaje’ o ‘escudo’ frente a elementos externos, como partículas minúsculas en suspensión o elementos líquidos.

Como se indicaba al inicio, although, normally, cuanto mayor es el número IP mayor es la protección, existe una excepción con respecto a los grados de protección contra chorros de agua IPX5-IPX6 y los grados de protección para inmersión IPX7-IPX8.

Siguiendo la mencionada regla general, se consideraría que estas últimas IP protegen mejor una luminaria que las primeras. However, no es así, ya que se valoran mediante ensayos independientes, I mean, se miden variables distintas. No es lo mismo evaluar la inmersión que la respuesta a un chorro de agua.

therefore, las luminarias que superan el test de inmersión (cuyo número, por nomenclatura, es superior) no tienen por qué obtener un resultado favorable en los ensayos de chorro de agua a presión, and vice versa.

In fact, in the latest revision of the 'Technical requirements required for luminaires with Led outdoor lighting technology', October 2020, it is specified that even if a luminaire obtains an IP67 or IP68, does not exempt you from justifying that you also comply with the IP66 test.

On the other hand, the degrees of IP protection of the luminaires are defined in the regulations of "Luminaires Part 1: General requirements and tests (UNE-EN 60598-1)", What, turn, are based on the regulation of "Degrees of protection provided by the envelopes (UNE-EN 60529)". However, test conditions are different, well, among others, the first is more restrictive.

The main difference is that the luminaire regulations establish that tests with liquids must be carried out after having used the luminaire for a certain time.. Subsequently, the shutdown is carried out and the cold water jet is applied.. At that moment, there is a suction effect that facilitates the entry of water into the luminaire and thus its protection capacity is evaluated.

In short, IP test conditions are more demanding than envelope IP grade conditions, so the degree of protection that a luminaire obtains by the envelope regulations does not mean that it will obtain the same IP category under the specific regulation of luminaires.

Special mention requires luminaires marked with IPX9 sealing degree. This qualification implies that they are prepared to work under very high pressure and temperature conditions. (For example, for car headlights), but it should be borne in mind that this test is not included in the latest edition of the Spanish luminaire regulations, but, for now, has only been adopted by equivalent international regulation.

In any case, The same, compliance with an IPX9 does not automatically mean that IPX7-IPX8 testing will be met, but it is necessary to test under the corresponding test conditions.

Leandro Boyano

R&D Engineer outdoor lighting en Artesolar

 

 

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