Upgrade IP 55 motor to IP 56 2

[NickParker]

Is it possible to upgrade a motor's IP (Ingress Protection) rating from IP55 to IP56 at the plant? If so, how is it achieved? Additionally, what are the constructional differences between IP55 (protection against low-pressure water jets) and IP56 (protection against high-pressure water jets)?

 

[che12345]

"..Is it possible to upgrade a motor's IP (Ingress Protection) rating from IP55 to IP56 at the plant? If so, how..."
I have the following opinion for your consideration.
1. For full detail, refer to IEC 60529.
2. Is it possible to upgrade a motor's IP (Ingress Protection) rating from IP55 to IP56 at the plant?
a) for Motor NO. Consult the OEM.
b) for enclosure YES, but ... Attention: i) Only NTL would conduct the test and issue the test certificate. ii) to conduct the test at the plant would not only costly but impractical.
3. Info: a) IP 55 Dust protected + water jet pressure 30kPa from 3 m, with water volume 12.5 L/min etc...
b) IP 56 dust protected + water pressure 100kPa from 3m, with water volume 160L/min etc....
4. Proposal: It would be cost effective to fabricate an empty enclosure to the required IP to be tested at their testing station (NOT at your plant) and certified (with written certificate) issued by the NTL . Attention: Take full detail of the assembly as a "TYPE TEST" model. Any subsequent enclosure assembled to the exact as the type tested model; would assist to convince your future clients/sales.
Che Kuan Yau (Singapore)

 

[waross]

I agree with Mr Che that the approval may be the most difficult issue.

--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[che12345]

@ Mr NickParker
I wish to submit the following experience for your consideration.
1. Almost all NTL are capable to carryout the IP test of any enclosure size in their testing station. They are also capable of issuing conformance test certificate, stating the IP rating tested to IEC Std.
2. Info: IEC/IEEE/NEC/NEMA/CSA publishes Std/Recommendation/Guide/Code etc. etc. , but none of them has any test lab. They neither carryout any test nor "police" the market ensuring the manufacturers who claim that their products complied with their document. The use of their document is voluntary. The responsibility is on OEM. They do NOT issue any test certificate.
3. It is not too difficult to fabricate an enclosure to IP 56 or 66. The other part is how to dissipate the HEAT (power lose) generated by the motor. As an e.g. a 100kW motor would generate say 5kW of heat. The enclosure surface is unlikely to be able to dissipate it. Fan cool is NOT possible. It has to go to water cool, pressure air cool, or refrigeration cool etc. These side effects must be taken into consideration, not just the enclosure alone.
Che Kuan Yau (Singapore)

 

[edison123]

Possible at OEM/Good motor repair shop who can recertify the IP rating change.

Why do you need to change to protection from high pressure water jets from any direction? Is it in high seas?

Muthu

http://www.edison.co.in

 

[NickParker]

Yes, it is in the open sea. The vendor provided IP55, but the class requirements stipulate IP56.
What changes do the repair shop make it to become IP56?

 

[edison123]

Take the motor to a Ex certified repair shop. They may tell you how. It's not going to be cheap.

Muthu

http://www.edison.co.in

 

[che12345]

@ Mr NickParker (Electrical)(OP)30 Jul 24 01:14

"... it is in the open sea. The vendor provided IP55, but the class requirements stipulate IP56. What changes do the repair shop make it to become IP56? "
I have the following opinion for your consideration.
1. Consult the motor OEM whether they have or their authorized w/shop to modify the existing motor IP55 to 56. Attention: the contract shall state in writing that the OEM shall replace the existing name-plate to a new name-plate with IP 56 .
This may relieve the marine class surveyor objection after seeing the IP 56 on the name-plate by the OEM.
2. If above is not possible/not cost effective, order a new IP56 Motor. Keep this for other usage.
3. Fabricating an IP 56 enclosure around it may not be economical/practical, consider the heat generated by the motor and IP approval of the enclosure.
Che Kuan Yau (Singapore)

 

[SilverfoxUK]

You can't up the IP rating from IP55 to IP56. The OEM went through a lot of pain getting the motor certified to IP55.

What you might have control over though is the environment. Are you able to construct barriers etc to shield the motor from high pressure jetting? It might be a cover over the motor or a wall for it to hide behind, whatever is required to protect it against the extreme water jets.

One of the answers would be to take the motor to an Ex certified repair shop. Why would you take a non-ex motor to an Ex certified repair shop. IP and Ex are not quite the same!

 

[che12345]

"...What you might have control over though is the environment. Are you able to construct barriers etc to shield the motor from high pressure jetting? It might be a cover over the motor or a wall for it to hide behind, whatever is required to protect it against the extreme water jets".
It is impractical/costly to have any NTL to test at site whatever barriers/shield /cover/enclosure etc. and to issue certificate that it is in compliance to IP 56. Also take into consideration of the heat generated by the motor. Marine class surveyors would NOT accept the words verbally without a Certificate from the NTL lab. The surveyor may? not request for the test/approval certificate if the motor is IP 56 rated, as stated in the original name-plate. If requested, the responsibility is on the OEM, who claims in compliance with the Class rule, be it LRS,GL,VB,DNV,ABS etc. etc.
Che Kuan Yau (Singapore)

 

[SilverfoxUK]

All avenues seem blocked due to certification issues. The simple recourse is to take this on the chin and buy a motor correctly certified for duty.