Pressure Washing Resistance
An enclosure withstanding powerful water jets and withstanding immersion in water are different things. The declared IP66 rating of the AXI LFT20 means complete dust-tightness and resistance to powerful water jets from any direction; continuous immersion is outside the scope of this rating.
According to IEC 60529, a second digit of 6 covers water being directed for at least 3 minutes from a nozzle with a 12.5 mm opening at a distance of about 3 m, at a pressure of the order of 100 kPa and a flow rate of 100 L/min. This covers the rain and normal washing conditions an agricultural vehicle is exposed to.
- Even so, take care: do not hold the tip of a high-pressure washer very close to the unit and directly on the seal line; that is a harsher loading than the test condition.
- Connectors: socket openings and cable entries are the weakest points; do not aim water directly at these points.
- Standing water: position the unit so that water cannot pool on it, and route the cables so they enter with a downward loop.
For the LFT54 the manufacturer has not declared an IP code; the product description mentions a waterproof control board embedded inside the motor and a galvanised sheet-metal box. For this reason no numerical IP value is attributed to the LFT54. The only definite declared value is the LFT20's IP66 rating.
Context in which this term is used: Converting a tractor hydraulic lever to electronic control