In previous articles, we talked about the assortment and installation features of FORS wiring accessories. In this article, we will examine how well they are protected from dust and moisture. The IP protection degree is an important characteristic, as both the proper operation of wiring accessories and the safety of the person using them depend on it.
What is the level of protection against external influences?
First, let's remember what the letters "IP" mean. This abbreviation comes from the concept "Ingress Protection" – protection against ingress. Then follow two digits that indicate the degree of protection against solid objects and water.
The IP degree is conveniently deciphered using a table:
FORS series wiring accessories have an increased protection degree – IP54. This means that FORS sockets and switches are reliably protected from dust ingress and splashes from all directions. Therefore, they can be safely used for rooms with high humidity and dustiness: basements, garages, workshops and industrial enterprises.
How is IP54 protection ensured?
The IP54 protection level is ensured by various design features of the FORS series wiring accessories, among which:
- Two cable glands in the upper and lower parts of the housing allow cable entry while maintaining the declared IP protection degree.
- Blanking plugs cover the mounting holes. It is important not to forget to install them immediately after mounting the lower part of the housing.
- The hinged cover protects the socket outlet from accidental water splashes.
- The upper and lower parts of the housing fit tightly to each other, which also prevents water splashes from entering the housing interior.
- All metal elements of the mechanisms (housing screws, spring of the hinged cover, conductive screw contact group) are protected against corrosion. This ensures safe product operation throughout the entire service life.
How FORS protects a person
Protection of a person against electric shock depends primarily on how well the live parts are insulated. For this, the following design elements are provided in FORS series sockets:
- Protective cover – automatically closes when the plug is removed from the socket.
- Protective shutters on the outlets – prevent any objects other than a standard plug from entering the socket.
When can the protection level decrease?
The service life of FORS wiring accessories is 15 years, we provide a warranty for these products for 5 years.
Even reliable FORS series sockets and switches will not be able to guarantee the declared service life if installation is performed with errors. Therefore, strictly follow our recommendations outlined in the instructions. For example, do not neglect installing blanking plugs on mounting holes, carefully cut holes for the cable in the entry glands, do not allow housing misalignment.
In case of careless installation, gaps may appear between the housing parts, and the mechanism's service life will decrease. After all, if water gets inside the socket, it will prevent good contact. And if dust gets into the mechanism and on the switch contacts, its resource will predictably shorten.
To avoid this, carefully read the installation instructions and our material on FORS installation. Then your electrical appliances will receive quality power, and your electrical safety will be top-notch!