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

5.2 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.

5.3 The MSIP classification system considers the membrane switch separately from the testing and IP codes used for classifying the enclosure when subject to similar test conditions.

5.4 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:

1.1.1 The ingress of dust into the internal layers of a membrane switch.

1.1.2 Ingress of water into the internal layers of a membrane switch.

1.1.3 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.

1.2 This guide references test methods that can be used to establish the ingress classification of a membrane switch.

1.3 This guide utilizes the test methods and reporting structure of IEC 60529 – (Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures) modified for membrane switches.