Verified Protection Against Contact, Foreign Bodies and Water: Tested to Standards, Reliably Sealed
Whether it’s heavy rain, splashing or spraying water, high-pressure cleaning, fine dust, sharp tools, or even human fingers: products used indoors and outdoors, in technical systems, or in vehicles are exposed to a wide variety of stresses every day.
Effective protection against the ingress of foreign objects and liquids is crucial to
- protect people and animals,
- prevent malfunctions and
- ensure long-term safe use.
A reliable IP ratings test provides objective evidence of how well a product is protected against the ingress of test probes, foreign objects, and water.
In our accredited testing laboratory, we test all IP ratings. We conduct these tests in accordance with the internationally recognized standards IEC / EN / DIN EN 60529 and ISO 20653, utilizing state-of-the-art testing technology and drawing on our many years of experience.
Our ingress protection tests identify weak points, enhance product safety, and assist you with certification, quality assurance, and development.
What Is Tested in an IP Protection Class Test?
An IP rating test assesses how well a product is protected against the ingress of foreign objects (e.g. dust) and water.
The so-called International Protection classification (IP code) consists of two digits in accordance with DIN EN 60529 and ISO 20653.
They define:
- First digit (0 - 6K): Protection against contact and solid foreign objects
- Second digit (0 - 9K): Protection against water in various forms
Typical protection ratings:
- IP44 – protected against the ingress of a test wire ≥ 1 mm and against water spray from all directions
- IP54 – dust-protected and protected against water spray
- IP65 – dust-tight and protected against water jets
- IP68 – dust- and water-tight
The tests simulate real-world operating conditions.
Contact Protection, Foreign Object Protection & Dust Protection
The first digit of the IP code indicates the level of protection against accidental contact and the ingress of foreign objects - that is, protection against hazardous contact, dust, and dirt. These protection ratings are of critical importance in sectors such as the automotive industry, military technology, mechanical engineering, building services engineering, aviation, the railway sector, and medical technology.
We test:
- Protection against contact: Testing for access to hazardous parts and foreign objects using test probes
- Protection against foreign objects (dust protection): Testing for dust ingress by swirling dust in test chambers
Relevant tests:
- IP1X – Protected against access with the back of the hand
- IP2X – Protected against access with a finger
- IP3X – Protected against access with a tool
- IP4X – Protected against access with a wire
IP5X (Category 1) – Dust-protected with negative pressure
- IP5X (Category 2) – Dust-protected without negative pressure
- IP5KX – Dust-protected
- IP6X – Dust-tight with negative pressure
- IP6KX – Dust-tight
Water Protection & Leakage Testing
The second digit of the IP code indicates the level of protection against water and moisture. Our tests range from exposure to light splashes of water to rigorous high-pressure and immersion tests. These protection ratings are of critical importance in sectors such as the automotive industry, military technology, mechanical engineering, building services engineering, aviation, the railway sector, and medical technology.
Typical protection ratings:
- IPX3/IPX4 – Protection against splashing water
- IPX5/IPX6 – Protection against water jets of defined intensity and duration
- IPX7/IPX8 – Immersion tests from 1 to 60 m
- IPX9K – High-pressure steam jet cleaning
Our leakage testing includes, among other things:
- Immersion tests at water depths up to 60 m (IPX8)
- Continuous exposure tests (e.g. 24 hours underwater at a defined temperature)
- Light rain, splashing water, strong water jets, or high-pressure cleaning
Parameters such as pressure, temperature, duration, and direction of movement can be adjusted according to standard specifications and customer requirements.
Relevant tests:
- IPX1 – Protection against dripping water
- IPX2 – Protection against dripping water (housing tilted at a 15° angle)
- IPX3 – Protection against splashing water (angle up to 60°)
- IPX4 – Protection against splashing water from all directions
- IPX4K – Protection against high-pressure splashing water
- IPX5 – Protection against water jets
- IPX6 – Protection against powerful water jets
- IPX6K – Protection against high-pressure powerful water jets
- IPX7 – Protection against temporary immersion
- IPX8 – Protection against continuous immersion
- IPX9 – Protection against high-pressure/steam jet cleaning
- IPX9K – Protection against high-pressure/steam jet cleaning
Additional tests in our laboratory:
- Water protection K-10 (VW 80000, MBN LV 124-2)
- High-pressure/steam jet cleaning K-11 (VW 80000, MBN LV 124-2)
- Temperature shock with surging water K-12 (ISO 16750-4, VW 80000, MBN LV 124-2)
- Temperature shock immersion K-13 (VW 80000, MBN LV 124-2)
- Water tightness PG 23B (GS 95006-7-1)
- Immersion with pressure difference PG 23.1 (LV 214)
- Cable movement during immersion with pressure difference PG 23.2 (LV 214)
- Thermal shock test PG 23.3 (LV 214)
- Steam jet test PG 23.4 (LV 214)
- Rain test (JIS D 0203)
- Spray test (JIS D 0203)
- Dip test (JIS D 0203)
Tests can also be performed with specifically defined parameter requirements upon customer request.
Our Testing Technology in Detail
Our test systems are designed for test objects of a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and applications.
We use:
- Talc dust chamber for IP5X/IP6X
- Arizona dust chamber for IP5KX/IP6KX
- Dust chamber for blowing dust
- Drip water tester for IPX1/IPX2
- Spray arcs for IPX3/IPX4
- Jet nozzles for IPX5/IPX6
- Immersion tank for IPX7/IPX8
- Pressurized chamber for IPX8
- Water surge system for K-12
- Test cabinet for temperature shock immersion K-13
- Japanese spray arch for rain and spray testing
- Special test benches from our test automation system for specific enclosure shapes or series testing
Upon request, we can combine IP testing with supplementary tests—e.g. mechanical tests, climatic tests or functional tests under load.
Standards and Quality Assurance
Our tests are conducted in accordance with:
- DIN EN 60529 – Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)
- ISO 20653 – Road vehicles – Degrees of protection (IP code) – Protection of electrical equipment against foreign bodies, water, and contact
- Ford CETP:00.00-E-412 – Environmental testing for electrical and electronic components
- MIL STD 810H – Department of Defense test method standard
- AECTP 300-3 – Climatic environmental testing
- MBN LV 124-2 – Electrical and electronic components in passenger cars up to 3.5 t – General requirements, test conditions, and tests Part 2: Environmental requirements
- ISO 16750-4 – Road vehicles – Environmental conditions and tests for electrical and electronic equipment
- VW 80000 – Electrical and electronic components in motor vehicles up to 3.5 t
- GS 95006-7-1 – Wiring harnesses in motor vehicles – Connector tests
- LV 214 – Automotive connectors
MAN M 3499-1 – General requirements for electrical, electronic, and mechatronic systems
- JIS D 0203 – Test Methods for Automotive Parts Regarding Moisture, Rain, and Splash Water
- Claas CN 05 0215 – CLAAS Environmental Requirements for Electrical and Electronic Components
- John Deere JDQ 201 – Testing of Electronic and Electrical Equipment – Environmental and Mechanical Stress
The tests are conducted with:
- Documentation of the test specimens, the test setup and the measuring and testing equipment
- Meaningful photographic documentation
- Evaluation according to standards or individually defined limit values
- Recommendations for potential improvement measures (sealing and design)
As an accredited testing laboratory (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025) we provide you with globally recognized test reports.
- In digital form
- With confirmation of conformity
- With informative photographic documentation
Recognized by official bodies
Typical Industries & Applications
Our IP rating tests are used in virtually every technical industry:
Automotive & Electric Mobility
Control units, charging electronics, connectors
Energy Technology
Outdoor enclosures, solar power systems, distribution panels
Railway technology
Signal components, underground enclosures, passenger displays
Medical Technology & Laboratory Equipment
Cleaning-resistant equipment, splash-proof systems
Your Advantages with AUCOTEAM
- IP testing in accordance with current standards and client specifications
- Test modules that can be combined with environmental testing or endurance testing
- Flexible test bench design for custom enclosures
- Consulting services provided by experienced test engineers
- Documentation for development, production, and certification
- Prompt scheduling and reliable test planning
Request IP Protection Class Testing Now!
Would you like to know if your product is dust- and waterproof? Does it meet the requirements of IEC/ISO standards?
Can it withstand long-term outdoor use or function reliably when submerged?
Then talk to us.
We test your components in accordance with standards, under real-world conditions, and with full documentation—with the goal of getting your technology reliably onto the road, onto the wall, or underwater.