Page 13 - Geko 01_2020

Safety First. Protection class according to DIN 40050

The protection class of electric units is specified in the directive
DIN 40050. Electric units must be protected against humidity
and foreign bodies. Protection class und its grade of protection
are specified by the letters IP and two following index numbers.

First index number:

2 Protection against the intrusion of foreign bodies with a
diameter larger than 12 mm
3 Protection against the intrusion of foreign bodies with a
diameter larger than 2.5 mm
4 Protection against the intrusion of foreign bodies with a
diameter larger than 1 mm
5 Protection against harmful dust deposits. The intrusion of
dust cannot be avoided completely, but dust should be
prevented from intruding in such quantities that could affect
the functionality of the unit.

Second index number:

1 Water that falls vertically has no harmful effect
2 Water that falls at any angle up to 15 degrees from the
vertical line has no harmful effect
3 Water that falls at any angle up to 60 degrees from the
vertical line has no harmful effect
4 Water that splashes from all directions against the electrical
equipment has no harmful effect

That means that units with the protection class IP23 cannot be
subjected to rain or splashing water without any consequences.
That is the reason why GEKO relies on protection class IP54
unlike other manufacturers.
Units with this protection class can be operated risk- free in case
of splashing water from all over. And due to the dust cover the
lifetime of a alternator can be increased as well.

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