An important specification for industrial measuring instruments generally, and pressure sensors specifically, may be the ingress protection. In this context, an assumed typographical error in our data sheets for the PSD-4, PSD-30, PSD-31 and PSA-31 electronic pressure switches has frequently been pointed out to us. These data sheets declare that these instruments meet both IP65 and IP67 ingress protection. And yes, that?s absolutely right.
The explanation for that is pretty simple. It comes from the fact that the two ingress protection types, and thus the underlying tests, differ completely. The supposedly ?higher? ingress protection, IP67, will not, simultaneously, also cover the ?lower? ingress protection, IP65. They are two different ingress protection types with different specifications.
General consideration of IP65 and IP67 ingress protection
To clarify the ?mystery? of both ingress protection types, here is the technical explanation: Relative to IEC 60529, the first characteristic numeral specifies the protection ?contrary to the ingress of solid foreign objects? and the next characteristic numeral the protection ?against the ingress of water?. The ingress protection types provide ?dust-proof? equipment (IP6x), protection against ?water jets? (IPx5) and ?temporary immersion? (IPx7). Not every instrument protected against immersion also withstands water jets and, vice versa, not every water-jet protected instrument can be protected against immersion. A small, but important difference in a few applications.
IP65 and IP67 ingress protection with WIKA pressure switches
Our electronic pressure switches have already been designed and tested for both ingress protection types. This is confirmed not only by WIKA in-house tests, but also by external tests completed by independent test centres, for example, within UL approval. Specifically, which means that Rowdy PSD-4, PSD-30 and PSD-31 electronic pressure switches meet IP65 ingress protection, meaning they are dust-proof and protected against water jets. In addition, they fulfil the IP67 ingress protection, meaning also, they are protected against short-term immersion in water. The WIKA model PSA-31 also fulfils both ingress protection types and was specifically made for sanitary applications.
Note
For more info on our range of electronic pressure switches ? models PSD-4, PSD-30, PSD-31 and PSA-31 ? visit the WIKA website.