Rice Lake Weigh Modules/Mount Assemblies - Manual (Page 13)

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VESSEL WEIGHING SYSTEMS Design Elements
International Protection (IP) Rating Guide
If a hermetically-sealed cell is necessary, further classification is needed to be sure of the type of protection a particular cell offers. For
hermetically-sealed cells, Rice Lake Weighing Systems uses the International Protection (IP) rating system. We find the IP numbers and
their definitions are suitable for the classification of hermetically-sealed load cells, and only apply IP numbers to such cells. The IP
numbers on a hermetically-sealed cell further specify the treatment a specific cell can endure in environments more severe than simple
washdown. The following tables define the IP numbers alone and in conjunction with the hermetically-sealed rating.
IP 67
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Example: Protection level offered
by an IP67 rated product
Protection against solid objects
First number (in this case 6)
0
No protection
1 Protected from solid objects up to 50 mm (e.g., accidental touch
by hands)
2 Protected from solid objects up to 12 mm (e.g., fingers)
3 Protected from solid objects more than 2.5 mm (e.g., tools and
small wires)
4 Protected from solid objects more than 1 mm (e.g., small wires)
5 Protected from dust; limited entrance (no harmful deposit)
6 Totally protected from dust
Protection against liquids
Second number (in this case 7)
0
No protection
1 Protected from vertically-falling drops of water (e.g.,
condensation)
2 Protected from direct sprays of water up to 15 ° from vertical
3 Protected from direct sprays of water up to 60 ° from vertical
4 Protected from water sprayed from all directions; limited
entrance allowed
5 Protected from low pressure jets of water from all directions;
limited entrance allowed
6 Protected from strong jets of water (e.g., for use on ship decks);
limited entrance allowed
7 Protected from the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m
8 Protected from extended periods of immersion under pressure
IP Numbers with Hermetically Sealed (HS) or Environmentally
Protected (EP) Ratings
Rating Protection
EP Dust proof, not protected from moisture or water
HS-IP65 Dust proof, protected from splashes and low-pressure jets
HS-IP66 Dust proof, protected from strong water jets
HS-IP67 Dust proof, protected from temporary immersion in
water 1 meter deep for 30 minutes
HS-IP68 Dust proof, protected from continuous immersion in
water under more severe conditions than IP67
HS-IP66/68 Dust proof, protected from strong water jets and/or
constant immersion
Manufacturers may give a NEMA rating to
cells. This system was established for electri-
cal enclosures and is difficult to apply to load
cells. However, if you see a NEMA rating and
need a general idea of what it means, IP67
and NEMA 6 cells are comparable and meet
similar requirements.
Time invested in a well-considered choice
offers large returns in the long run. If there
is any doubt as to which cell to use, consult
with a company such as Rice Lake Weighing
Systems that offers experience and knowl-
edge with every load cell.