IPX3-X4-X9K.
What IPX3, IPX4 and IPX9K verify
Under IEC 60529, the second IP characteristic numeral defines protection against water. IPX3 verifies protection against spraying water up to 60° from the vertical and IPX4 against splashing from any direction; both are produced with an oscillating tube (each nozzle delivering about 0.07 L/min) — IPX3 sweeps a 120° arc, IPX4 close to 360°. IPX9K is the most severe class: close-range jets of high-pressure, high-temperature water (typically 80–100 bar at about 80 °C, applied from 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° at 100–150 mm, with a flow of roughly 14–16 L/min). IPX9K is defined in IEC 60529 and, for road vehicles, in ISO 20653 (originally DIN 40050-9).
A leading supplier of commercial and military land vehicle manufacturers in Turkey, with whom we collaborate on various solutions, requested EN standard IPX3-X4-X9K tests and additional tests for incoming quality control of their products, as well as pressure testing in closed chambers. We delivered a system that combines these three different requirements into a single device. The system conducts tests by spraying water at 150 bar and 80 degrees Celsius or filling it into a closed chamber. As no solenoid valve capable of opening and closing water flow at 150 bar and the required flow rate was available, five high-pressure butterfly valves driven by pneumatic actuators were designed and used in the project. Our company undertook the Design, Manufacturing, and Automation aspects of the project.
Why a combined IPX3–IPX4–IPX9K + pressure system
Running IPX3/IPX4 spray, IPX9K high-pressure/high-temperature jets and a sealed-chamber pressure test on one platform lets an incoming-quality-control team qualify a part against several water-ingress requirements without moving it between separate machines. The high-pressure water path is the demanding part of the design — at 150 bar the flow must still be started and stopped cleanly, which is why pneumatically actuated high-pressure butterfly valves were used instead of solenoid valves. Test levels and angles are configured to the IEC 60529 / ISO 20653 class under evaluation.
Часто задаваемые вопросы.
What is the difference between IPX3 and IPX4 testing under IEC 60529?
IPX3 checks protection against water sprayed up to 60° from the vertical; IPX4 covers splashing from any direction. Both tests use an oscillating tube with each nozzle delivering about 0.07 L/min, so the real difference is the sweep: IPX3 covers a 120° arc, IPX4 close to 360°.
What pressure and temperature are used in an IPX9K test?
IPX9K uses close-range jets of high-pressure, high-temperature water: typically 80–100 bar at about 80 °C, applied from 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° at a distance of 100–150 mm, with a flow of roughly 14–16 L/min. Under IEC 60529 it is the most severe water-protection class.
Which standards define the IPX9K rating?
IPX9K is defined in IEC 60529 and, for road vehicles, in ISO 20653, which was originally DIN 40050-9. Under IEC 60529 the second IP characteristic numeral describes protection against water, and IPX9K is the most severe of those classes: a close-range, high-pressure, high-temperature jet test.
Why combine IPX3, IPX4 and IPX9K testing in a single machine?
A combined machine lets an incoming-quality-control team qualify a part against several water-ingress requirements without moving it between separate machines. One platform runs the IPX3/IPX4 oscillating-tube spray, IPX9K high-pressure jets and a sealed-chamber pressure test, with levels and angles set to the IEC 60529 or ISO 20653 class being evaluated.
Why use pneumatically actuated butterfly valves instead of solenoid valves for 150 bar water testing?
No solenoid valve was available that could open and close water flow at 150 bar at the required flow rate, and the flow still has to start and stop cleanly at that pressure. One combined IPX3-X4-X9K system solved this with five high-pressure butterfly valves driven by pneumatic actuators, designed for the project.
ULMEKA проектирует испытательные системы
по техническому заданию.
Если ваше требование выходит за рамки этого каталога — нестандартные размеры камер, интеграция комбинированных стандартов или индивидуальные профили испытаний — обратитесь к нашей инженерной команде.