suojausaste

Suojausaste, often translated as "degree of protection" or "enclosure class," is a system used to classify the protection provided by electrical enclosures against ingress of solid objects, dust, and water. This classification is standardized internationally, most notably by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) through the IEC 60529 standard, which is also adopted by many national standards bodies.

The most common form of this classification is the IP code, which consists of two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects and dust. A higher first digit signifies better protection. For instance, an IP rating of 1 means protection against large solid objects, while a rating of 6 means complete dust-tightness. The second digit indicates the level of protection against water. Again, a higher second digit signifies better protection. A rating of 0 means no protection against water, while a rating of 8 indicates protection against continuous immersion in water under specified conditions.

For example, an enclosure with an IP20 rating would be protected against accidental contact with solid objects larger than 12.5 mm and would have no specific protection against water. An enclosure with an IP67 rating would be dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion in water. Understanding suojausaste is crucial for selecting appropriate enclosures for electrical equipment to ensure safety and longevity, especially in environments with potential exposure to environmental hazards. The specific requirements for suojausaste depend on the intended application and the operating environment of the equipment.