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IP65 PROTECTION CLASS FOR NON ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 1

srini1785

Electrical
Apr 5, 2021
35
Hi,

Does the IP65 protection class apply to Non - electrical equipment too?

I have a Pure pneumatic valve (3/2 single plunger operated) which has no electrical component. Our customer wants it IP65 rated. There is very little room for modification to make it water or dust tight (actually we tried and failed). Any technical documentation that says that IP65 applies only to Electrical equipment only or to enclosures which house electrical parts?

Thanks
 
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Does the IP65 protection class apply to Non - electrical equipment too?
Not as far as I know.

IEC 60529:1989+A1:1999+A2:2013
Applies to the classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72,5 kV
 
It is an enclosure rating, not an equipment rating.

Can you demonstrate that submerging the valve into abrasive, cohesive dust, such as in a concrete plant or under continuous water spray, will not affect the operation of the valve or to some lesser standard that applies to this particular situation?
 
If the costumer is requiring IP65 for none electrical things he doesn't have the competence that is needed to write a RFQ or such because he is asking for something that can not be delivered since no manufacturer will test there none electrical components according to that standard.
And asking the supplier to make this test himself for every third party none electric component they buy is not costumery and no one will put in the effort for this.

If the costumer had written that all component needs to be fully protected from dust and low pressure jets of water it would be different.

Even if I don't know what kind of pneumatic valve or brand this is, I would say I have never encountered any that does not comply with this, unless its something that is made out soft iron and not painted.

Simply because the product is mostly pressurised from within and if there are a possibility that dust and water would be able to enter from the outside there would also be air leakages directly from installation.
Of course it could corrode the outside if it cant stand water, but this would not effect the function.
The largest risk is that water and dust enters inside from badly filtered compressed air.
Any high quality pneumatic valve would fulfill the IP65 standard in my book even if its not possible to declared it as such.
A valve that didn't would probably have a mean time to fauiler less then a month or two.
But if the costumor don't understand this, I am not sure what can be done. 🤷‍♀️

There might be standards for pneumatic valves that shows the requirements are fulfilled.
Like these for instance.

1741938388193.png

1741936478177.png
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Consider relocating the valve in a more friendly are.
That is a method used at times when electrical equipment is proposed for hazardous or wet, dusty or corrosive areas.
 
The challenge with applying an IP rating rating to an enclosure with pneumatic components inside is, what happens when there is a leak?
 

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