EN 62262, “Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts (IK code)”, defines the IK code: a classification of how well the enclosure of electrical equipment resists impact from outside. It is the companion of the better-known IP code. IP expresses protection against dust and water; IK expresses whether the enclosure keeps its integrity after being hit, knocked or struck. The original scale runs from IK00 (no protection) to IK10 (20 joules).
For IK and IP testing and CE marking of your product, apply to CE Danışmanı (CE Consultant); we manage the whole process for you.
EN 62262 at a glance
| Standard | EN 62262:2002, amended by A1:2021 (IEC 62262) |
|---|---|
| Related legislation | LVD 2014/35/EU, machinery legislation |
| Scope | Degree of protection of enclosures of electrical equipment against external mechanical impact |
Where the IK code is used
The IK code tells whether the electrical parts inside an enclosure stay safe and functional after an impact of a given energy. It matters most for:
- outdoor luminaires and street lighting
- camera housings
- electrical panels and enclosures
- street furniture such as charging stations and information totems
- any product exposed to vandalism
For a contractor or an engineer writing a specification, the IK class is a clear statement of how robust a product is. Lighting in a metro station is typically specified as IK10, while IK02 is enough for a wall light in an office. Some product standards, including parts of the EN 60335 household appliance series and the luminaire standard EN 60598-1, refer to the IK code. Market surveillance checks it on products that claim outdoor use.
IK00 to IK10
| IK code | Impact energy | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| IK00 | Not protected | Indoor use, no risk of impact |
| IK01 | 0.14 J | Small desktop equipment |
| IK02 | 0.2 J | Office wall lights |
| IK03 | 0.35 J | Standard indoor equipment |
| IK04 | 0.5 J | Household appliances, indoor use |
| IK05 | 0.7 J | Household outdoor use, garden tool enclosures |
| IK06 | 1 J | Outdoor lighting, panels |
| IK07 | 2 J | Industrial indoor panels |
| IK08 | 5 J | Industrial outdoor panels, camera housings |
| IK09 | 10 J | Street lighting, traffic equipment |
| IK10 | 20 J | Metro, tunnel and stadium lighting, products exposed to vandalism |
As a guide, 2 J corresponds to a 500 g mass falling 40 cm, 5 J to 1.7 kg falling about 30 cm, 10 J to 5 kg falling 20 cm and 20 J to 5 kg falling 40 cm.
IK and IP are different codes
- IP code (EN 60529). Two digits: the first for solid objects and dust (0–6), the second for water (0–9). Example: IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction.
- IK code (EN 62262). One number for impact resistance.
The full enclosure rating of a product is usually written with both, for example “IP67 IK10” or “IP65 / IK08”: sealed for outdoor use and resistant to vandalism. European technical specifications commonly ask for both together.
How the IK test is carried out
The standard allows three types of test hammer:
- Vertical (free-fall) hammer: a striking element of defined mass is dropped vertically from a calculated height.
- Spring hammer: a spring mechanism applies a controlled impact at low energies. It is practical for side faces.
- Pendulum hammer: used across the range, including the high energies. The energy follows from mass, gravity and drop height (E = m × g × h).
The impacts are applied to the exposed faces of the enclosure: front, back, sides, top and bottom. After the test:
- the enclosure must show no cracks or ruptures that affect safety,
- no access to live parts may have opened (checked with the test finger),
- the declared IP protection must not be impaired.
Where the IK code appears in the CE file
- Product specification in the technical file: a rating such as “IP67 / IK10”.
- Test report: a separate report recording the energy, the type of hammer, the positions tested and the result.
- Label and instructions: for outdoor products the IK code is marked on the rating label; public and commercial tender specifications often require it.
- Declaration of Conformity: EN 62262 is listed among the standards applied.
Choosing an IK rating
- Do not over-claim. A high IK class written for marketing reasons will be tested by market surveillance, and a product that fails can be withdrawn from the market.
- Glass surfaces. The lens of a camera housing or luminaire is usually weaker than the body. The rating of the product is that of its weakest point.
- Covers and accessories. An LED panel may reach IK10, but with an opal diffuser rated IK06 the combination is IK06.
- Ageing. The IK class is tested on a new product. UV and heat reduce impact resistance over the years, so the instructions should state the intended service life.
Frequently asked questions
Is an IK rating required for CE marking?
Not in general. It becomes necessary in three cases: when you claim a property such as outdoor use or vandal resistance and must prove it, when a tender specification asks for it, and when the product standard for your equipment refers to an IK class.
Is there a difference between EN 62262 and IEC 62262?
The technical content is the same. IEC 62262 is the international publication and EN 62262 is the European one published by CENELEC, which is the reference for the European and Turkish markets.
Where is the IK test done?
In accredited laboratories for electrical products, normally in the same package as the IP test to EN 60529. Sending the two tests to different laboratories adds time. CE Danışmanı coordinates both tests with accredited laboratories and places the results in the technical file, together with the LVD tests where they apply.
