While you may be well aware of the IP rating, it measures the weather resistance of luminaires and other products, primarily the level of protection from sand, dust, and liquids.
IK rating, however, on the durability of the luminaire indicators, IK rating stands for impact protection, and K stands for kinetic energy, distinguished from the IP rating of the entrance protection, which represents the degree of impact on the outside of the accessories. The IK rating test, in which various parts of the light are subjected to three identical implications, even on the weaker elements, to ensure maximum accuracy.
The number following the IK rating, which has a special meaning, indicates the mechanical impact protection level. Its value is a system of 1 to 10, with higher numbers representing a more robust product that can remain safe under higher energy impacts again.
What is the international standard for IK rating?
When selecting electrical equipment for use in harsh environments, it is essential to consider its level of protection against mechanical impacts. This is where the IK rating comes into play.
The IK rating, short for Impact Protection rating, is an international standard that defines the degree of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts. It ranges from IK00 (no shield) to IK10 (highest security).
While the IK rating is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world, it is not the only standard for measuring impact resistance. In North America, for example, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) provides a similar rating system known as NEMA 250. Both standards use different methods to determine the impact resistance of an enclosure, but they ultimately serve the same purpose.
So how does the IK rating compare to other international standards? The answer lies in the level of protection they provide. For instance, the Ingress Protection (IP) rating measures the degree of protection against dust, moisture, and other foreign objects. While the IP rating does not necessarily correlate with the IK rating, a high IP rating also often indicates a high IK rating.
It is also worth noting that the IK rating is not an indicator of the overall quality of an enclosure. Instead, it simply measures its ability to withstand mechanical impacts. Factors such as corrosion resistance, thermal performance, and electromagnetic compatibility should also be considered when selecting electrical equipment.
In conclusion, the IK rating is crucial when selecting electrical equipment for harsh environments. While it is not the only international standard for measuring impact resistance, it indicates an enclosure’s ability to withstand mechanical impacts. By understanding the IK rating and how it compares to other means, you can make informed decisions about the electrical equipment you select for your applications.
How do we test the IK rating?
The IK rating test is performed in a suitable environment using the “controlled drop” method. Here a certain amount of energy is applied to the enclosure to pass the test. However, there are two main factors in testing the IK rating. These are
- The distance between the sample cover and the hammer
- The weight of the hammer
A fixed weight is placed at a fixed height and angle above the housing to perform this standardized test. The weight is then allowed to free-fall/impact to produce specific impact energy. This process is repeated three times in the same place. And to ensure reliable impact protection, the weight can be impacted at multiple housing locations without bouncing.
Is it important to have a high IK rating?
Very true, a high IK rating is very important if the LED floodlight is used in sports venues, large outdoor locations, parking lots, if it is indoors, inside a courtyard, it may not be very relevant.
In public places, high IK rating is very important, if there are higher intentionally damaged LED floodlights, or sports places will be hit by balls, or will be hit by unknown objects, it will lead to damage to the LED light unit and bring no small maintenance costs.
IK rating is very important, sturdy is a must need, if damaged lamps may stop working, can lead to the production of debris, which can hurt people, lost lighting, not friendly to any scenario, and can cause expensive repairs.
The 10 official IK ratings include meanings
| IK rating | Testing capability |
| IK00 | Not Protected |
| IK01 | Protected against 0.14 joules impact |
| Equivalent to an impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 56mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK02 | Protected against 0.2 joules impact |
| Equivalent to an impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 80mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK03 | Protected against 0.35 joules impact |
| Equivalent to an impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 140mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK04 | Protected against 0.5 joules impact |
| Equivalent to an impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 200mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK05 | Protected against 0.7 joules impact |
| Equivalent to an impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 280mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK06 | Protected against 1 joules impact |
| Equivalent to an impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 400mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK07 | Protected against 2 joules impact |
| Equivalent to an impact of 0.5kg mass dropped from 400mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK08 | Protected against 5 joules impact |
| Equivalent to the impact of 1.7kg mass dropped from 300mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK09 | Protected against 10 joules impact |
| Equivalent to the impact of 5kg mass dropped from 200mm above-impacted surface. | |
| IK10 | Protected against 20 joules impact |
| Equivalent to the impact of 5kg mass dropped from 400mm above-impacted surface. |
