EN60529
60529 © IEC:1989+A1:1999 – 8 –
DEGREES OF PROTECTION PROVIDED
BY ENCLOSURES (IP Code)
1 Scope and object
This standard applies to the classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures for
electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72,5 kV.
The object of this standard is to give:
a) Definitions for degrees of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment as
regards:
1) protection of persons against access to hazardous parts inside the enclosure;
2) protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign
objects;
3) protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful effects due to the
ingress of water.
b) Designations for these degrees of protection.
c) Requirements for each designation.
d) Tests to be performed to verify that the enclosure meets the requirements of this standard.
It will remain the responsibility of individual technical committees to decide on the extent and
manner in which, the classification is used in their standards and to define “enclosure” as it
applies to their equipment. However, it is recommended that for a given classification the
tests do not differ from those specified in this standard. If necessary, complementary
requirements may be included in the relevant product standard. A guide for the details to be
specified in relevant product standards is given in annex B.
For a particular type of equipment, a technical committee may specify different requirements
provided that at least the same level of safety is ensured.
This standard deals only with enclosures that are in all other respects suitable for their
intended use as specified in the relevant product standard and which from the point of view of
materials and workmanship ensure that the claimed degrees of protection are maintained
under the normal conditions of use.
This standard is also applicable to empty enclosures provided that the general test
requirements are met and that the selected degree of protection is suitable for the type of
equipment to be protected.
Measures to protect both the enclosure and the equipment inside the enclosure against
external influences or conditions such as
– mechanical impacts
– corrosion
– corrosive solvents (for example, cutting liquids)
– fungus
– vermin
– solar radiation
– icing
– moisture (for example, produced by condensation)
– explosive atmospheres
and the protection against contact with hazardous moving parts external to the enclosure
(such as fans), are matters for the relevant product standard to be protected
So in summary a domestic heating system must comply with these regs both a manufactures build stage and post contractors installation.
Take a CU it complies via manufacture, but if the cover is left off or a 1" hole is drilled on the side for a 1/4" cable it fails.
Hence the work must be done to keep inside the standards.
With HW CH systems the boiler unit will have fixed positions for pipes and wires which keep the standard in place.
Same with stats, timers, zoning aux equipment, pumps, 2 and 3 way valves. They are made to comply, but the installer could break the standard bu not fitting correctly.
Cables fitted incorrectly, covers not refitted correctly, installed in the wrong location / environment would all cause the job not to comply with the manufactures tested standard.
