
IP ratings for Turnstiles, also called as Ingress Protection ratings are the decisive factors for installation of any equipment indoor or outdoor as every location have specific requirement for the degree of protection. IP Ratings for the turnstile casings or outdoor access control readers or any type of enclosure used for indoor or outdoor applications are very importantly mentioned on the specifications sheets. Turnstiles and access controls as a majority find application indoors, hence highest ingress protection ratings are not specific requirements but when it is under direct exposure of sun, or harsh weather, dust and wind, every rating have got a very specific importance.
IP Ratings are two digit codes, devised on the basis of International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) 60529 standards. The two digits in IP ratings indicate solid & liquid.
Let us say IP XY, here X is protection rating against solids while as Y is protection against liquids.
The standard IP Ratings chart is as below
X | Protection level for Solids | Y | Protection level for Liquids |
0 | No protection at all | 0 | No protection at all |
1 | Objects greater than 50 mm | 1 | Vertical flow of water |
2 | Objects greater than 12.5 mm | 2 | Dripping water when tilted unto 15 |
3 | Objects greater than 2.5 mm | 3 | Spraying water |
4 | Objects greater than 1.0 mm | 4 | Splashing water |
5 | Protection from dust | 5 | Water jets |
6 | Dust tight | 6 | Powerful water jets |
7 | Temporary immersion in the water | ||
8 | Continuous immersion in the water. |
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) equivalent for the IP ratings is as below
NEMA | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3R | 3S | 4 | 4X | 5 | 6 | 6P | 12 | 12K | 13 |
IP Ratings | IP10 | IP11 | IP54 | IP14 | IP54 | IP66 | IP66 | IP52 | IP67 | IP67 | IP52 | IP52 | IP54 |
In general, lot of turnstiles produced by the factories are IP 44 rated considering indoor application. But for outdoor applications, it is point of great importance to consider the IP rating as per need and requirement. IP 6Y (Y greater that 0) is a very basic requirement for outdoor application assuming environmental as well as atmospheric changes.