IPX3 and IPX4   Spraying Water and Splashing Water

As referenced  in IEC 60529:

IPX3 Spraying Water Testing:

  • Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60°.
  • Equipment under test (EUT), shall experience no harmful effects from the water being sprayed against the enclosure from any direction.

IPX4 Splashing Water Testing:

  • Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction.
  • Equipment under test (EUT), shall experience no harmful effects from the water being slashed against the enclosure from any direction.

IPX3 Water Splash Testing

  1. Test Setup: Splash test can be done using an oscillating tube or a spray nozzle, based on EUT size. Water flow is adjusted with a flow meter. Oscillating tube setup, the water pressure is adjusted for the right flow rate. The tube oscillates 120 degrees (60 degrees each side of vertical) in 4 seconds for one back-and-forth motion. Total test time  is 5 minutes, and the enclosure is placed at the tube’s center.
  2. Water Application Handheld spray nozzle is used for larger enclosures. Pressure is adjusted to provide 10 liters per minute (50-150 kPa range). Nozzle is held 60 degrees from vertical, and a counterbalance shield is used.
  3. Test Duration: Test duration is one minute per square meter, minimum of five minutes.
  4. Evaluation: After completion, the EUT wiped down and inspected for water ingress. Additional units may be tested at the manufacturer’s request for design confidence.

IPX4 Water Spray Testing

  1. Test Setup: IPX4  like IPX3, can use an oscillating tube or handheld spray nozzle. The counterbalance shield is removed for IPX4 with regulated water flow.
  2. Water Application: The tube oscillates almost 360 degrees. The spray distance is 200 mm, with a rate of 0.07 liters/min per hole, tested for 10 mins. The handheld nozzle sprays the enclosure from all angles at 10 liters/min.
  3. Test Time: Test time depends on EUT overall size, with a minimum of five mins per square meter.
  4. Evaluation: After testing, EUT is wiped down, opened, and inspected for pass/fail criteria. As in most tests of this nature, water should not interfere with the equipment’s intended use or compromise user safety.