Looking back at the content we've shared with you over the past few months, we received a lot of feedback from customers, saying that our content is easy to understand and interesting. We would like to express her gratitude, and we will continue to bring you interesting inverter knowledge.
This time, Xindun would like to share with you the protection levels of inverters. You may see one of the IP20、IP21、IP54、IP65、IP66 labels on the power label on the side of the inverter. What do these seemingly insignificant labels mean? We will try to use examples from everyday objects.
Let's start with IP20 and IP21: IP stands for waterproof rating. The higher the number, the higher the waterproof capability. A value of 2 means the inverter can resist the intrusion of particles but is not dustproof. A value of 0 after 2 means it is not waterproof at all. A value of 1 means it can withstand vertical dripping water.
Home inverters are mostly used indoors, so the design direction of the inverter is: first, affordability and reliable quality. Therefore, the design direction is to use fans for heat dissipation and to include as many holes as possible in the inverter casing to facilitate heat dissipation, rather than considering whether the inverter is waterproof.
IP21 takes into account the possibility of water dripping onto the inverter, so no air holes are added to the top of the inverter for heat dissipation. In fact, we believe that for indoor use, the non-waterproof IP20 and IP21 ratings are sufficient, and there is no need for fully waterproof inverters like IP65 and IP66. For example, if you go to a swimming pool, you can just wear a swimsuit, not a full professional diving suit. While you can do this, it may be a bit exaggerated.
IP54 is mainly used in outdoor scenarios. For example, in fish ponds and farmhouses near agricultural fields, people mainly use inverters to power water pumps. They build a temporary farmhouse and install the inverter inside. However, the door of the farmhouse is open. Because the environment is wet and dusty, water from the pump may splash onto the surface of the inverter during operation. Therefore, the front design of the inverter requires no gaps to prevent water from splashing in. Also, since it's outdoors, adding a dust cover over the air holes will suffice to prevent dust from entering the inverter.
IP65 and IP66 mean completely waterproof and dustproof. The inverter is a sealed device, relying solely on an aluminum grille on the back for heat dissipation; it lacks a fan. This level of protection was first applied to grid connected inverters. Because they are installed directly outdoors, they have very high requirements for UV protection, which means they must be resistant to aging, dust, and water. We previously gave the example of equipment needed for swimming. Here, IP65 and IP66 are equivalent to diving in the ocean, requiring specialized equipment. IP65 is equivalent to diving in calm water, where there's no harsh impact from the water and the UV rays aren't very strong. Everything is peaceful and tranquil. Therefore, the inverter only needs to be waterproof, dustproof, and UV-proof; it doesn't need to meet the requirements for high intensity water impact resistance.
However, if you're diving in rough seas, you'll need an IP66 rated diving suit. For example, in areas ravaged by typhoons and experiencing continued adverse weather conditions, standard IP65 rated inverter simply can't withstand the elements. This is why IP66 inverters were developed to protect against high intensity water impacts and withstand large temperature swings between day and night. These inverters are generally professional grade and used for scientific expeditions and other applications.
The above is an introduction to inverter protection levels. The higher the protection level, the more expensive the inverter. Therefore, it's important to remember our advice. For example, if you're using an inverter at home, carefully consider whether you want IP20 or IP65. For home use, consider Xindun Power inverters. As a Chinese inverter manufacturer with a 19 year history, we offer cost effective, reliable inverters. We believe you'll find the right inverter for you at Xindun Power.
