scope:

This standard refers to the classification of the degrees of protection provided by enclosures against external mechanical impacts when the rated voltage of the protected equipment is not greater than 72,5 kV.

This standard is only applicable to enclosures of equipment where the specific standard establishes degrees of protection of the enclosure against mechanical impacts (expressed in this standard as "impacts").

The object of this standard is to give

a) the definitions for the degrees of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment as regards protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful effects of mechanical impacts;

b) the designations for the degrees of protection;

c) the requirements for each designation;

d) the tests to be performed to verify that the enclosure meets the requirements of this standard.

It will remain the responsibility of individual technical committees to decide on the extent and manner in which the classification is used in their standards and to define the "enclosure" as it applies to their equipment. However, it is recommended that, for a given classification, the tests do not differ from those specified in this standard. If necessary, complementary requirements may be included in the relevant product standard.

For a particular type of equipment a product committee may specify different requirements provided that at least the same level of safety is ensured.

This standard deals only with enclosures that are in all other respects suitable for their intended use as specified in the relevant product standard and which from the point of view of materials and workmanship ensure that the claimed degrees of protection are maintained under the normal conditions of use.

This standard is also applicable to empty enclosures provided that the general test requirements are met and that the selected degree of protection is suitable for the type of equipment.