To prove that the product shell will not damage the inside of the product and can be used typically when encountering a collision, the IK rate standard was created. Let's talk about the details of the IK Rating.
| Table of Contents What is the IK Rating? The relationship between IP and IK rating How do we test the IK rating of LED lights? IK Rating level chart Conclusion |
IK rating refers to the equipment enclosure's impact protection level, mainly used to evaluate the enclosure's protection ability against external mechanical collision. The IK protection level standard is primarily based on IEC 62262 (https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/7374)， but it is only for electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72.5 kV.
IK ratings usually appear together with IP ratings. Because for outdoor lamps, the IP and IK requirements are asked together.
The IP rating (Ingress Protection) indicates the level of protection of electrical equipment's housing against foreign object intrusion. (Maybe you are interested in The knowledge of IP Rating for LED lights)
The IK rating is the level of protection against mechanical collisions.
How do we test the IK rating of LED lights?
The IK protection level is determined by the free-fall impact of an object in joules.
To achieve the required impact energy, IK protection level tests are generally performed with three test devices: pendulum, spring hammer, and vertical drop hammer.
The specific protection classes range from IK00 to IK10, each representing a different level of impact resistance.
| IK Rate | IK00 | IK01 | IK02 | IK03 | IK04 | IK05 | IK06 | IK07 | IK08 | IK09 | IK10 |
| Drop Height(mm) |
- | 56 | 80 | 140 | 200 | 280 | 400 | 400 | 300 | 200 | 400 |
| Equivalent mass(kg) | - | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 5 | 5 |
| Impact energy(J) | - | 0.14 | 0.2 | 0.35 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| * IK11(50J) was added by IEC 62262:2021 standard. * IK11 is for special housing used in highly harsh outdoor applications. |
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The IP rate of our LED batten light is IP66, and the IK rate is IK10.
IK Rating level chart
| IK Rate | Description |
| IK00 | No protection. |
| IK01 | It withstands an impact force of 0.14J, similar to the impact of a 0.25kg object dropped from a height of 56mm onto the surface. |
| IK02 | It withstands an impact force of 0.2J, similar to the impact of a 0.25kg object dropped from a height of 80mm. |
| IK03 | It can withstand an impact force of 0.35J, similar to the impact of a 0.25kg object dropped from a height of 140mm onto the surface. |
| IK04 | It withstands an impact force of 0.5J, similar to the impact of a 0.25kg object dropped from a height of 200mm on the surface. |
| IK05 | It withstands an impact force of 0.7J, similar to the impact of a 0.25kg object dropped from a height of 280mm on the surface. |
| IK06 | It withstands an impact force of 1J, similar to the impact of a 0.25kg object dropped from a height of 400mm. |
| IK07 | It can withstand an impact force of 2J, similar to the impact of a 0.5kg object dropped from a height of 400mm onto the surface. |
| IK08 | It can withstand an impact force of 5J, similar to the impact of a 1.7kg object dropped from a height of 300mm onto the surface. |
| IK09 | It can withstand an impact force of 10J, similar to the impact of a 5kg object dropped from a height of 200mm onto the surface. |
| IK10 | It can withstand an impact force of 20J, similar to that of a 5kg object dropped from a height of 400mm onto the surface. |
The IK protection level standard is an essential indicator of the protective performance of electrical equipment enclosures. It improves the equipment's safety and reliability. Its IK protection level should be fully considered when customizing and using electrical equipment to ensure its stable operation in complex environments.
