IK Impact Resistance Test

CDG is an ISO 17020 Accredited organization in India.

IK Rating or “Impact Protection” (the K is from 'Kinetic' to differentiate from IP rating) is defined in international standards and indicates the level of resistance an electrical enclosure provides against mechanical impact. IK ratings are an important factor when choosing LED lighting which may be fitted in an area that could be subject to rough environment, attempted vandalism or other impacts.

What do the IK Rating Numbers mean?

The numbers that follow the IK have a specific meaning and indicate the level of protection from mechanical impact. It is a 1 to 10 system with a higher number indicating a more robust product able to maintain safety at higher energy impacts.

How do we test for an IK Rating?

By applying the required amount of energy (joules) to the enclosure. We do these standard tests in a controlled environment by 'control dropping' set weights from set heights and angles onto the enclosure. To apply the correct amount of impact energy (joules) we use the specified method in the standard to deliver the energy. Strikes without bouncing are performed three times on the same spot. This test is performed at several locations on each test enclosure, looking for weaknesses, to ensure IK rating is valid for the whole product, not just the tougher bits.

PRINCIPLES

This rating can be decisive in a product selection. It doesn’t rate the mechanical life but the capacity of a product to face environmental aggressions.

Therefore it is a key feature for any product intended for consumer goods.

The IK impact resistance is rated through a specific test carried out with a “Charpy pendulum” impact tester.

This device measures the resistance of a product submitted to 3 repeated identical impacts.

The impact energy (in joules) depends on 2 elements:

The distance between the hammer and the tested sample

The hammer weight

According to the resistance level rated during the test, an IK code is assigned to the product. This code ranging from IK0 to IK10, determines the energy level the product can absorb.

Impact Protection IK Rating (Impact Protection) is a unit used to define levels of protection an electrical enclosure offers to any contents and assemblies housed inside.

00 – No impact protection

01 – Protected against 0.14 joules impact  (similar to 0.25kg mass dropped from 56mm high)

02 – Protected against 0.2 joules impact  (similar to 0.25kg mass dropped from 80mm high)

03 – Protected against 0.35 joules impact  (similar to 0.25kg mass dropped from 140mm high)

04 – Protected against 0.5 joules impact  (similar to 0.25kg mass dropped from 200mm high)

05 – Protected against 0.7 joules impact  (similar to 0.25kg mass dropped from 280mm high)

06 – Protected against 1 joules impact  (similar to 0.25kg mass dropped from 400mm high)

07 – Protected against 2 joules impact  (similar to 0.5kg mass dropped from 400mm high)

08 – Protected against 5 joules impact  (similar to 1.7kg mass dropped from 300mm high)

09 – Protected against 10 joules impact  (similar to 5kg mass dropped from 200mm high)

10 – Protected against 20 joules impact  (similar to 5kg mass dropped from 400mm high)