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ITGlossary · Protection and installation
IK Rating (Impact Protection)
Scale from IK00 to IK10 under IEC 62262 that shows how much impact energy the enclosure of an electrical device can withstand.
Technical level:Intermediate
Each level corresponds to a test with a specific impact energy in joules. IK08 corresponds to 5 J and IK10, the highest level, to 20 J, roughly a 5-kilogram mass dropped from a height of 40 centimetres.
For equipment in a closed electrical room or a rack, the IK rating rarely matters. For EV chargers in public car parks, company parking areas or places with vehicle traffic, however, a high IK rating protects against vandalism and knocks.
The IK rating is independent of the IP rating. A charger can be watertight yet vulnerable to impacts, so check both for outdoor locations. Protection against being hit by a car requires additional bollards or wheel stops.
Related terms
- Noise (Electrical)Unwanted high-frequency disturbances on the supply voltage, e.g. from motors or power supplies, which UPS systems and line conditioners filter out.
- UndervoltageA sustained drop of mains voltage below normal that can cause malfunctions or overheat motors.
- IP Rating (Ingress Protection)Two-digit code under IEC 60529 in which the first digit shows protection against dust and solid objects and the second against water.
- Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)A device that automatically maintains a constant voltage level to protect electrical equipment from fluctuations.
- Circuit ProtectionDevices such as fuses and circuit breakers that open the circuit on overcurrent or short circuit to prevent damage.
- Surge ProtectorA device that limits brief voltage spikes from lightning or grid switching by diverting the excess energy to earth.