Ingression protection classifications are widely used by manufacturers for specifying the level of protection offered by electronic enclosures.

An example of such a classification scheme is IEC 60529. Membrane switch manufacturers are often asked to meet these standards, however the test methods specified within these standards do not address considerations specific to membrane switches.

A single classification scheme such as this is an important means of integrating the various standards that relate to ingression protection specifically for membrane switches.

Ingression testing can be useful to identify design deficiencies.

1.1 This guide establishes a classification system and references test methods for verifying the degrees of protection provided by a membrane switch against the following:

1.1.1 The ingress of dust into a membrane switch.

1.1.2 Ingress of water into a membrane switch, or the entry into the finished product on which it is mounted.

1.1.3 It can be expanded to incorporate the degrees of protection from other environmental contaminants (such as salt fog) as these tests are developed either by ASTM, or existing test methods developed by other organizations are determined to be appropriate.

1.1.4 Where external test methods are referenced, this guide specifies the special conditions that shall be considered in applying these tests to membrane switches and how the results are interpreted.

1.1.5 The IP rating is based on the switch construction only and does not consider the effects of the switch body as a sealant for the enclosure.

1.1.6 For ingress of dust, numerals 5 and 6, the test is carried out according to category 2 (testing at atmospheric pressure).

1.2 This guide references appropriate test methods for verifying that a membrane switch satisfies the level of protection specified by a given classification.

1.3 This guide is a modification of the classification system described within IEC 60529 – Degrees of Protection Offered By An Electronic Enclosure.