IK TESTS
TURKAK Accredited Testing and Verification
STEST is accredited by the Turkish Accreditation Institution (TURKAK) and carries out its testing and verification activities in an independent, competent, and impartial manner in compliance with national and international standards.
What Are IK Tests?
IK tests are defined by an international standard that specifies the degree of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts. These protection levels are expressed as the IK Code. The standard defines impact resistance classes for electrical equipment used at rated voltages up to 72.5 kV and classifies protection levels from IK00 to IK11 to indicate the extent of protection against external impacts. Each IK level is associated with a specified impact energy value (expressed in joules).
Purpose
The purpose of this standard is to ensure that internal components are protected against harmful mechanical impacts by means of the enclosure, to enable manufacturers to define protection levels transparently, and to help users compare durability levels when selecting products.
Test Method and Acceptance Criteria
In the tests defined by the standard, impacts are applied to enclosures using specified masses and drop heights. After testing, the functionality and structural integrity of the equipment are verified. The acceptance criterion is that no damage shall occur that could adversely affect the specified IP protection level of the equipment.
| IK Code | Impact Energy (J) | Example Test Method | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| IK01 | 0.14 | 200 g → 7.5 cm | Very low protection – resistant to minor impacts |
| IK02 | 0.2 | 200 g → 10 cm | Low protection |
| IK03 | 0.35 | 200 g → 17.5 cm | Resistant to light hand impacts |
| IK04 | 0.5 | 200 g → 25 cm | Protection against small tool impacts |
| IK05 | 0.7 | 200 g → 35 cm | Resistant to stronger minor impacts |
| IK06 | 1 | 500 g → 20 cm | Medium level mechanical resistance |
| IK07 | 2 | 500 g → 40 cm | Resistant to impacts encountered in normal use |
| IK08 | 5 | 1.7 kg → 29.5 cm | High protection – resistant to vandalism |
| IK09 | 10 | 5 kg → 20 cm | Very high protection – resistant to heavy impacts |
| IK10 | 20 | 5 kg → 40 cm | Highest protection – suitable for industrial and outdoor use |