IP ratings

Yes, a ventilation system can be fitted inside an electrical enclosure, including as a retrofit to an existing installation. Our Air-Technology setup is integrated automatically in our AK range of distributors and is also available for other enclosures. It uses air exchangers that transport condensate out of the enclosure while allowing the interior air to mix constantly with the environmental air. Ventilation elements prevent condensation forming and building up, reduce the risk of overheating, and protect the electrical equipment within, meeting IP65 requirements.

A ventilation system is worth fitting where an enclosure faces damp conditions, fluctuating temperatures, or houses many components in a small space — all situations that cause condensation or overheating. Promoting air circulation reduces condensation risk while maintaining ingress protection. Our AK range uses registered Air-Technology, which delivers a high air exchange rate with pressure equalisation to prevent condensation and excessive heat, while protecting circuits from water, dust and foreign particles in line with IP65.

For marine vessels and other offshore installations, our most suitable solutions are the TK PC, Abox-i PC and Abox-i SL ranges. These are DNV certified, meaning they comply with the world's leading classification society for the maritime industry. They offer up to IP 66 ingress protection, preventing water and dust from entering the system, and they are made of polycarbonate, so they withstand exposure to UV light and extreme weather conditions. They are also highly resistant to mechanical stress.

An enclosure can be submerged if it carries an ingress protection rating of IP68, which means it resists prolonged immersion in at least one metre of water. The most cost-effective and reliable way to achieve this is to fill the enclosure with silicone or resin, which prevents moisture reaching the internals. Our Abox XT junction boxes use this method and withstand submersion in up to 10 metres of water. Each box is supplied with a cast resin bag and a funnel, and has two holes, one to pour the resin in and one to let the air out.

An enclosure can be submerged if it is rated IP68, which gives resistance to prolonged water immersion at depths of up to 3 metres. Sealing the inside with resin is more cost-effective and reliable than specifying individual water-resistant components, and it protects the internal parts from moisture penetration. Our Abox XT junction boxes use cast resin and comply with DIN EN 60670 and DIN EN 60529. The Abox Pro XT model withstands ambient temperatures from -35°C to 80°C, has an IK08 impact resistance rating, and is available with WAGO screwless clamping technology.

An enclosure can be fully submerged if it carries an ingress protection rating of IP68, which covers continuous immersion in water at depths of more than one metre. Our Abox XT junction boxes are made from robust polycarbonate and use double-membrane seals, and each is supplied with a bag of cast resin, a funnel, ventilation seals and disposable gloves so the connection clamps can be sealed. The range has been tested by submersion for 168 hours at water depths of up to 15 metres in line with DIN EN 60529, and is certified to DIN VDE V 0606-22-100.

To choose an IP rating, assess the environment the enclosure will sit in and match each digit of the rating to it. The first digit describes protection from foreign bodies such as dirt, with dust tight IP6X the most common. The second digit describes protection against moisture and water: normal air humidity with only occasional droplets or splashes needs a low second digit, while high-pressure jets or immersion call for a far more robust enclosure and matching components such as connectors. Our range extends to complete protection from water ingress even when permanently submerged at depths of up to 15 metres.

To keep an enclosure completely watertight, specify an ingress protection (IP) rating of at least IP67/IP68, which will resist continuous immersion in at least one metre of water, and consider adding a resin filling. A resin fill is a cost-efficient, reliable way to prevent damage caused by moisture penetration and can be applied retroactively to many existing enclosures, including our Abox Pro range. In the Abox Pro XT, a flexible polymer is poured once the electrical equipment is in place, and a vent allows air to escape so that no pockets form as the filling cools. Our enclosures are rated up to IP69.

To select the correct IP rating, assess the location the enclosure will work in and the threats it poses to your electrical equipment. IP ratings are defined by the international standard IEC 60529 and consist of two numbers: the first covers solid objects such as dust, from no protection at IP0X to dust-tight at IP6X, and the second covers liquids, starting at 0 and running up to 9K for powerful high-temperature water jets. Indoor enclosures in normal humidity usually need only a low second digit, while outdoor enclosures, or those exposed to high-pressure jets or immersion, need a more robust enclosure and appropriate glands.

Enclosures are tested for water ingress by applying water in line with the relevant international standards and lining the interior of the enclosure under test with absorbent paper, which is examined immediately after the test to reveal any water that has entered. The result is expressed as the second number of the IP code, defined by IEC 60529, which runs from splashing water from all directions at IPX4 up to IPX9 for high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs and steam-cleaning. Testing to DIN EN 60670-1, DIN EN 61439-1 and DIN EN 62208 gives a detailed insight into resistance to water penetration.

Fitting a cable gland does not reduce an enclosure's IP rating as long as the gland is correctly chosen and installed. Cable glands are commonly used to maintain high IP ratings and to retain cables securely, but any holes or empty voids left in the enclosure will allow dust or water to enter and will affect the rating. Choose a cable gland whose IP rating matches or exceeds that of the enclosure, and use a sealing ring between the enclosure and the gland to help maintain a high level of protection.

For an underwater project you need an enclosure with an IP68 rating, which is designed to withstand continuous immersion in water even beyond a depth of one metre. Our Abox XT junction boxes are made from robust polycarbonate, so they resist impact, shock and the weather, and they use double-membrane seals against water ingress. Each box comes with a bag of cast resin, a funnel, ventilation seals and disposable gloves; the resin seals the connection terminals and can be removed and re-applied for maintenance. The series has been tested through 168 hours of submersion at water depths of up to 15 metres, meeting DIN EN 60529, and is certified to DIN VDE V 0606-22-100.

Condensation in a data centre enclosure occurs when a contrast in temperature between the interior and the exterior creates a pressure differential, drawing air in and allowing moisture to form inside. The enclosure has to deal with this without compromising heat dissipation, robustness or protection from contaminants. Our AK Air range is designed for exactly this: an integrated ventilation system combats moisture accumulation, and although the enclosures have two vents at the rear, they still achieve IP65 protection. Mounting options include three-point keyhole and external installation lugs, all of which preserve the IP65 rating.

Yes. Our Air Technology system is integrated as standard in our AK small distribution series, where it has proven highly effective at preventing condensation forming inside the enclosure. The ventilation elements let air flow through the enclosure and constantly equalise pressure between inside and outside, while their shape prevents water and foreign bodies entering, so IP65 protection is maintained even with permanent air exchange. If you are not using an AK enclosure, the BEL Air ventilation element is available as an accessory for retrofitting into other enclosures or existing installations.

We test our enclosures in our certified laboratory to the ingress protection (IP) standards outlined in EN 60529, using a different method for each rating. To test splash resistance (IPX4) we simulate water sprayed from all directions and confirm that everything inside stays dry. For higher protection levels we submerge the enclosures: IPX7 is tested at a depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes, while IPX8 is tested at even greater depths and durations, depending on the specific requirements. These tests confirm performance against rain, pressure washers and submersion.

IP68 is only necessary where an enclosure has to withstand submersion. The IP rating, defined by IEC 60529, describes how effectively an enclosure is sealed against external influences, so the level you need depends on the environment where it is installed. IP68 offers maximum resistance to dust and immersion in water, but specifying it by default can be counterproductive: these products cost more than lower-rated alternatives and generally take longer to install. Most applications never face submersion, so a lower IP rating can be used safely, indoors or outdoors, without compromising the integrity of the electrical system. We offer protection levels from IP00 to IP69k.

The most important consideration when choosing an enclosure for a trace heating system is a suitable level of protection from the surrounding environment. Installed outdoors, an enclosure housing a trace heating thermostat must prevent the ingress of dirt and water and withstand exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures. Our HT thermostats are supplied in IP66-rated TK enclosures made of polycarbonate, giving ingress protection against dust and water, resistance to UV and a tolerated temperature range from -35°C to 80°C. Sourcing the thermostat and the enclosure together also streamlines supply and ensures the two components are compatible.

Yes. Any intrusion into a NEMA 12 enclosure, including bolts threaded in from the outside, should be sealed with NEMA gasket material or O-rings if the original rating of the enclosure is to be maintained. NEMA 12 is an indoor rating: it protects personnel against access to hazardous parts, protects the housed equipment against ingress of solid foreign particles, and protects the contents against dripping or light splashing water, which roughly translates to the IP54 rating used in Europe. There is no value in specifying seals with a higher NEMA rating than the enclosure itself, because protection cannot be increased through over-sealing.

Look for vents or air exchange devices that are diagonally aligned and positioned on the back of the enclosure, near the top and the bottom, rather than on the top, bottom or side walls. That arrangement optimises airflow without affecting the enclosure's ingress protection (IP) rating. Our AK Air distribution boards use this approach, with an integrated IP65 ventilation system built around two diagonally aligned BEL Air devices. Each consists of a circular frame with an external cover containing a filter and a labyrinth structure that separates water droplets from the gas phase.

For industrial applications that need IP67 protection, we recommend our TG range. An IP67 enclosure gives complete protection against the ingress of dust and airborne particles, water and liquids, and can endure temporary immersion at depths between 15 cm and 1 m, which is why IP67 is so often required where equipment faces high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns. The TG series is made from robust, high impact plastics such as polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), is rated IP67 and IK08, resists strong acids and other solvents, and operates between -30°C and +80°C.

Using a cable gland through a knockout does not affect an enclosure's IP rating, provided the gland's own rating matches or exceeds it. Spelsberg's cable gland range is rated IP68, and gland/enclosure spec sheets are available to confirm compatibility for a specific installation.

An enclosure can be fastened directly to a wall without compromising its IP rating, provided the fixing method doesn't breach the enclosure's seal. The three standard approaches are a separate mounting plate, external fixing feet, or internal fixing points sealed with grommets and cover screws.

Using a cable gland through a knockout maintains the enclosure's IP rating, provided the gland's rating matches or exceeds the enclosure's and it is correctly sized and sealed. A sealing ring between gland and enclosure, plus cable inserts such as twin-and-earth adaptors, prevents gaps that would otherwise let in dust or water.

Weatherproof is a general term usually associated with IP54, offering protection against dust ingress and water splashes from any direction. IP66 provides a significantly higher level of protection, meaning an enclosure is fully dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets.

Spelsberg's ABox Magic GT range provides gel-filled enclosures for sealing underground or wet cable connections, protecting joints from moisture ingress. It's available in four sizes, from 80 x 80 x 52mm to 140 x 140 x 79mm, supplied either as a complete enclosure with gel pack or as gel/fluid packs alone.