Medium Voltage technical guide - Schneider Electric

Design rules Protection index
The rated current of
an equipment is generally defined
for a usual index protection.
For higher index protection, a current
derating has to be considered.
IP code
Introduction
Protection of people against direct contact and protection of equipment
against certain external influences is required by international standards
for electrical installations and products (IEC 60 529).
Knowing the protection index is essential for the specification, installation,
operation and quality control of equipment.
Definitions
The protection index is the level of protection provided by an enclosure
against access to hazardous parts, the penetration of solid foreign bodies
and water. The IP code is a coding system to indicate the protection index.
Applicational scope
It applies to enclosures for electrical equipment with a rated voltage of
less than or equal to 72.5 kV. It does not concern the circuit breaker on its
own but the front panel must be adapted when the latter is installed within
a cubicle (e.g. finer ventilation grills).
The various IP codes and their meaning
A brief description of items in the IP code is given in the table on the
following page.
44 AMTED300014EN.indd