Water and electricity are not a good combination, as every one knows. Waterproof and water-resistant connection systems should therefore be used in wet environments. But when is a connection considered waterproof and when is it considered water-resistant? Is water-resistant the same as waterproof? How can you tell whether a product is waterproof and how much it can be exposed to water without causing any damage? We clarify what you need to know when selecting such a product.
What it's all about: water-resistant, waterproof or watertight?
Water-resistant, waterproof and watertight are three terms that seem to mean exactly the same and are often used synonymously. However, there are differences that are particularly important depending on the context. We explain what the terms mean and where the crucial difference is!
Waterproof
Waterproof
Water-resistant
What are connections and connection systems
Within an industrial application, there are many ways of transporting current, signals and data from one place to another. This is made possible by so-called connections or entire connection systems that connect a servo motor to a plant, for example, and thus ensure the power supply. A connection can involve a variety of electrical components, which depends on whether the entire connection is water-resistant, waterproof and/or watertight. Components that can be part of a connection system, for example, include:
- Cables
- Connectors
- Cable glands
- Switches
Water-resistant cables or waterproof connectors are not enough –
it comes down to the connection points!
It is not just the individual components that need to withstand the influence of moisture and water. In particular, the connection points where the power supply or data communication changes from one component to another are the critical weaknesses in the system that need to be tested for being waterproof and water-resistant.
A cable connection is the connection point at which two cables are connected to one another by means of a cable connector. A cable connector should therefore be waterproof in damp and wet environments. With a connection, on the other hand, two connectors (plug and socket) meet each other – typically when a cable is connected to a housing using a connector. Under no circumstances may the contacts inside the connector become moistened, otherwise it could result in a dangerous short circuit. A connector must therefore also be waterproof.
Where are water-resistant and waterproof connection systems used?
Generally, water-resistant and waterproof connection solutions are required when cables can get moist!
Both water-resistant as well as waterproof connection systems should be used in wet environments so that under no circumstance can water and electrical conductors come into contact with each other and at the same time so that the durability of the connection is ensured. But what does “wet” mean in this context?
In a wet environment, it is not just a cable that is laid under water, for example. It is much more common for cables to lie in dry conditions but become damp every now and again. This can be the case if liquid leaks into a machine or systems need to be regularly cleaned.
Typical environments
Water-resistant and waterproof connection systems are used for:
Not all waterproofing is the same!
Not all waterproofing is the same in electrical engineering
In the context of cables, for example, a distinction is made between transverse water tightness and longitudinal water tightness.
However, in the context of devices or device components such as connectors or cable glands, the waterproofness is measured completely differently.
Transversely waterproof cables
When water cannot penetrate the wire plastic and get to the cores, this is known as a laterally waterproof cable.
Longitudinally waterproof cable
If water penetrates at the connector into the end of the cable, but it cannot spread along the cores, as e.g. a jelly-like filling prevents the spread, this is known as a longitudinally waterproof cable.
IP protection classes and IP protection ratings
What is what?
The IP protection class and the IP protection rating are often confused with one another or unclearly separated from one another because they are supposed to say the same thing. But there are differences that you need to know.
IP protection class
The IP protection class, on the other hand, describes the measures taken against voltages that are dangerous to contact.
IP protection class
The IP protection rating describes whether a device or device component is protected by a housing against the ingress of foreign bodies and water.
The IP protection rating tells you how waterproof a product is and whether it still works perfectly when in contact with water. It applies to cable glands and connectors, but not to cables.
The protection rating is specified in so-called IP codes. "IP" stands for "Ingress Protection", i.e. the protection against intrusion. The IP codes refer to the DIN EN 60529 standard, which is valid for Germany, and the ISO standard, which is valid internationally. IP codes must be specified together with the standard to which they relate.
An IP code is made up of the abbreviation "IP" in combination with two numbers or letters following this. In accordance with DIN EN 60529 (VDE 0470-1):2014-09 and ISO 20653, the protection rating is made up of the first and second code numbers in the tables below.
Degrees of protection against foreign bodies
The first number here stands for protection against access and the ingress of foreign bodies such as dust or dirt:
| First code number | Short description | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not protected | |
| 1 | Protected against solid foreign bodies measuring 50 mm and above in diameter | The object probe, sphere of 50mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate. |
| 2 | Protected against solid foreign bodies 12.5 mm diameter and above | The object probe, sphere of 12.5mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate. |
| 3 | Protected against solid foreign bodies 2.5 mm diameter and above | The object probe, sphere of 2.5mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate. |
| 4 | Protected against solid foreign bodies 1.0 mm diameter and above | The object probe, sphere of 1.0mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate. |
| 5 | Protected against dust | Intrusion of dust is not completely prevented but dust shall not penetrate in a quantity that would interfere with the satisfactory operation of the device or impair safety. |
| 6 | Dust-tight | No penetration of dust. |
Degree of protection against water
While the second digit indicates the degree of protection against water:
| Second code number | Short description | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not protected | |
| 1 | Protected against drops of water | Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects. |
| 2 | Protected against drops of water if the housing is tilted by up to 15°. | Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects if the housing is tilted by up to 15° on either side of the vertical. |
| 3 | Protected against spraying water | Water sprayed at an angle of 60° on both sides of the vertical shall have no harmful effects. |
| 4 | Protected against splashing water | Water splashed against the housing from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 5 | Protected against jets of water | Water projected in jets against the housing from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | Protected against powerful jets of water | Water projected in powerful jets against the housing from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 7 | Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water | Water must not penetrate in quantities causing harmful effects when the housing is temporarily immersed in water under standardised pressure and time conditions. |
| 8 | Protected against the effects of permanent immersion in water | Water must not penetrate in quantities causing harmful effects when the housing is continually immersed in water – under conditions that must be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the user. However, the conditions must be more difficult than for number 7. |
| 9 | Protected against high pressure and jet water temperatures | Water directed against the housing from any direction at high pressure and high temperatures shall have no harmful effects. |
The lowest IP protection class with regard to water is IPX0, where there is no protection, followed by IP X1, where there is protection against drops of water. The highest IP protection class is IP X9, which indicates that a housing is even waterproof against "high pressure and high jet water temperatures". Both IP X8 and IPX9 indicate that a product is waterproof and remains waterproof even at high water pressure (IP X8 up to 10 bar and IPX9 up to 100 bar).
The IP protection class that your product should meet can be found using these questions:
- Where is the product used?
- What form of water will the product be exposed to? Drops of water? Spray of water? Splash water or jet water?
- Does the product need to withstand temporary or permanent immersion in water?
- Will there be high temperatures or high pressures that can affect the product?
- Which components will the product come into contact with? What do the interfaces look like?
At the same time, you should deal with the following question regarding water resistance:
Is it pure H2O or does the water contain any salts, gases or organic compounds?
Water-resistant materials are not necessarily corrosion-resistant. Only corrosion resistance ensures that a component does not rust, for example, and its function is not impaired. The salt spray test according to DIN EN ISO 9227, which tests the corrosion behaviour of a product, is decisive here. The test specimen is subjected to a salt spray in a standardised condition. After a defined period, the material is checked and evaluated. For example, it is possible to determine whether the surface of a component is seawater resistant and does not corrode in salt water.
Always remember the standard tests that we specify for product-specific purposes, and which can be used to determine the environmental conditions to which a product can be exposed.
Which water-resistant and waterproof components are available from LAPP?
- The ÖLFLEX® HEAT 125 MC is suitable for a wide temperature range from -55°C to +125°C. It has approval from Germanischer Lloyd for use in shipping and can withstand both freshwater and saltwater.
- The ÖLFLEX® SOLAR XLWP is an electron beam cross-linked solar cable that complies with the strictest requirements in terms of operating conditions and standards (in accordance with EN 50618). Thanks to its optimised, unique LAPP cable design, the ÖLFLEX® SOLAR XLWP has a high level AD8 of lateral watertightness even after a prolonged period of time in water.
- When you need not only resistance to hot water and steam, but also chemical resistance to ammonia compounds, biogases, bio-oils and ester-based hydraulic oils, you can rely on ÖLFLEX® ROBUST 210.
- The H07RN-F, enhanced version is suitable for permanent underwater use up to a water depth of 100 m.
- The HITRONIC® HUW1500 glass fibre cable, which is available in various designs, is extremely robust. It is cross and longitudinally waterproof.
- The ETHERLINE® ROBUST has been designed for connections in Ethernet systems where water resistance and chemical resistance are required.
- Some rectangular connector housings in the EPIC® ULTRA series offer protection class IP 65 when plugged in, e.g. EPIC® ULTRA H-B 6.
- Circular connectors such as EPIC® SIGNAL M23 A1 or EPIC® POWER LS1 A1 have the protection class IP 68.
- Solar connectors such as EPIC® SOLAR 4Plus M or EPIC® SOLAR 4Plus F are typically IP68-tested as they are intended for outdoor use.
- Many connectors are also classified according to NEMA 250 and UL50E certified, making them suitable for the North American market. For example, EPIC® H-A 3 MTG, EPIC® ULTRA H-A 3 TG or EPIC® H-B 6 TG.
- SKINTOP® HYGIENIC with smooth surfaces and stainless steel for the hygiene-critical areas in the food industry (product zone).
- SKINTOP® ST-M made of plastic with IP 69 approval. Proven to withstand demanding cleaning procedures for machinery and systems with high-pressure cleaners and hot water.
- SKINTOP® INOX: corrosion/seawater-resistant stainless steel for offshore applications and the hygiene-critical food sector (spray zone).
- Special sealing cable gland SKINDICHT® SHV-M made of brass that meets the protection class IP 68 up to 10 bar.
The location, the material used and the IP protection rating play a role when selecting a suitable product. For this reason, always pay attention to the application areas and product properties that you can find in the data sheet or on the relevant product page in our online shop.