1. INGRESS PROTECTION

2. What is Ingress Protection?
The International Electrotechnical Commission or IEC provides Ingress Protection (IP) ratings that are used to determine the degree of protection provided by an electrical enclosure.
IP ratings define protection differently than an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Canadian UL (cUL) Wet Location Listing.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

3. Why Ingress Protection?
Since the IEC is an international standards organization, IP ratings have global application for lighting luminaire enclosures.
Global acceptance of IP rated luminaires ensures straightforward communication of enclosure ratings, facilitating specification on a worldwide scale.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

4. What are IP ratings? INGRESS PROTECTION
IP ratings designate the degree of protection an enclosure provides against the ingress or intrusion of foreign objects.
IP ratings consist of the letters “IP” followed by two numbers.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

5. What do the numbers represent?
INGRESS PROTECTION
What do the numbers represent?
IP6X
The first number designates protection against solid objects.
IPX8
The second number designates protection against water.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

6. Professional testing INGRESS PROTECTION
Bronzelite tests per the IEC standard, ensuring reliable and quantifiable IP ratings.
For optimum results, we perform solid and water intrusion tests on our luminaires.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

7. Solid intrusion ratings
INGRESS PROTECTION
Solid intrusion ratings
IP Rating Solid Object Size
IP1X > 50mm (1.97”) diameter
IP2X > 12.5mm (0.49”) diameter
IP3X > 2.5mm (0.098”) diameter
IP4X > 1.0mm (0.039”) diameter
IP5X dust-protected
IP6X dust-tight
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

8. Solid intrusion testing
INGRESS PROTECTION
Solid intrusion testing
Solid intrusion testing is performed first. The luminaires are energized using the hottest wattage configuration and are operated to steady-state under normal operating temperatures.
They are de-energized and put in the dust chamber.
After the prescribed time, they are inspected for dust intrusion. The dust-tight IP6X rating means no dust has penetrated into the luminaires.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

9. Water intrusion ratings
INGRESS PROTECTION
Water intrusion ratings
IP Rating Type of Water
IPX1 vertical dripping
IPX2 dripping (up to 15o tilt)
IPX3 spraying (up to 60o angle)
IPX4 splashing from any direction
IPX5 jets from any direction
IPX6 powerful jets from any direction
IPX7 temporary immersion
IPX8 continuous immersion
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

10. Water intrusion dual IP ratings
INGRESS PROTECTION
Water intrusion dual IP ratings
Per the IEC standard, enclosures only rated IPX7 or IPX8 are restricted use and are unsuitable for exposure to jets of water.
Dual ratings are more versatile.
For example, IPX6/IPX8 designates an enclosure that protects against both powerful jets (such as from power washers or driving rain) AND against continuous immersion (such as when installations in low lying areas results in pooling of water on top of the luminare or submerged in fountain installations).
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

11. Water intrusion testing
INGRESS PROTECTION
Water intrusion testing
Water intrusion testing is performed after solid intrusion testing.
First, the luminaires are sprayed from all directions with a powerful water jet.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1

12. Water intrusion testing
INGRESS PROTECTION
Water intrusion testing
Then they are immersed with 1m (3.28ft) of headwater over top of them.
After the prescribed time, the luminaire is inspected for water intrusion. The dual IPX6/X8 rating means no water has penetrated into the luminaire.
© copyright 2006 Bronzelite
Rev. 1