IP degree of protection for speed sensors

Meaningful applications

With the IP degree of protection (IP = international protection), the protection of devices of various types can be classified and thus be made comparable.

The classification is based on the following standards: DIN EN 60529 and ISO 20653: 2013. The syntax of this classification is always the same: the letters “IP” are placed in front; followed by two digits. The ISO20653 standard allows the letter “K” to be added after each of the two digits, as a hint for a specific interpretation of the standards for road vehicles.

The codes range from "0" to "6" for the first position, or "0" to "9" for the second position. The degree of protection of the first digit defines the protection against foreign bodies and contact. The second digit defines protection against water. Principally and for reasons of simplification, the following is valid: the higher the number, the higher the degree of protection.

At this point, we only deal with the types of protection that are used for RHEINTACHO sensors.

  • IP6x: dustproof and complete protection against contact
  • IPx5: protection against water jets from any angle
  • IPx6: protection against strong water jets
  • IPx7: protection against temporary immersion 
  • IPx8: protection against permanent immersion 
  • IPx9 / IPx9: protection against high pressure / steam jet cleaning

Like most classifications, the IP protection classes are a particularly good help when choosing the right product.

However, like every classification, it is also the case that in the sense of user-friendly implementation, specification gaps were accepted, or the user should know the system rules. Please pay attention therefore to the two notes below.


Limits worth knowing / definitions

The lower digits are included in the degrees of protection against water up to IPx6. This is no longer the case with IPx7, IPx8, IPx9.This important definition is often unknown.

Example: The RHEINTACHO sensors of the FEpp series are classified with degrees of protection IP67 and IP6K9K. IP67 according to EN60529: "Dustproof" and "Protected against temporary immersion".

It is not defined in the standards as to when an IP test must be carried out. This is an important point, especially for materials and designs in which the properties can change due to aging. Especially with plastics, it can be caused by UV exposure, temperature changes and many more, there are significant losses of important properties. With Rheintacho products, IP tests are generally carried out in the pre-aged state.