Manufacturer of human machine interface products
Switches, LED Indicators, Joysticks, Switch Panels
- How to choose the terminals of your switch?
- Why choose a switch with NC/NO electrical function?
- What criteria should be considered for the HMI design of a new mobile machinery?
- Why integrate a CAN-bus system?
- Why choose a Hall effect technology?
- How to adapt a toggle switch to your design?
- How to select a switch for a military application?
- What is the IK impact resistance rating?
- What’s the right sealing approach for my specifications?
- Snap-action mechanism and shock resistance
- How to get the tactile feedback you want?
- What is IP rating?
- Q22 316L stainless steel
- Safe Break Action
What is the IK impact resistance rating?
Technical brochures often refer to IK rating.
But what does this rating stand for?
répondent à la norme IK
Initially related to the IP sealing test, the Ik rating became a specific rating to measure the impact resistance of product in 1995.
It is now related to the EN 62-262 European standard.
Christophe, switch product Manager, answers your questions and explains you why IK rating is important.
ChristopheSwitch Product Manager
Christophe joined APEM in 1996.
After deepening his product knowledge within the design department, he has been our Switch Product Manager and a member of the marketing team since 2011.
Nicknamed “Switch Doctor”, he is APEM’s living encyclopedia.
Principles
Therefore it is a key feature for any product intended for consumer goods.
The IK impact resistance is rated through a specific test carried out with a “Charpy pendulum” impact tester.
This device measures the resistance of a product submitted to 3 repeated identical impacts.
The impact energy (in joules) depends on 2 elements:
- The distance between the hammer and the tested sample
- The hammer weight
According to the resistance level rated during the test, an IK code is assigned to the product. This code ranging from IK0 to IK10, determines the energy level the product can absorb.
“Charpy pendulum” impact tester
Table of correspondance
| IK00 | Not protected |
| IK01 | Protected against 0.14 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 56mm above impacted surface. |
| IK02 | Protected against 0.2 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 80mm above impacted surface. |
| IK03 | Protected against 0.35 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 140mm above impacted surface. |
| IK04 | Protected against 0.5 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 200mm above impacted surface. |
| IK05 | Protected against 0.7 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 280mm above impacted surface. |
| IK06 | Protected against 1 joule impact Equivalent to impact of 0.25kg mass dropped from 400mm above impacted surface. |
| IK07 | Protected against 2 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 0.5kg mass dropped from 400mm above impacted surface. |
| IK08 | Protected against 5 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 1.7kg mass dropped from 300mm above impacted surface. |
| IK09 | Protected against 10 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 5kg mass dropped from 200mm above impacted surface. |
| IK10 | Protected against 20 joules impact Equivalent to impact of 5kg mass dropped from 400mm above impacted surface. |
APEM’s integrated test laboratory carries out IK impact resistance tests in accordance with the specifications of the EN-62-262 standard.
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