IP rating for roof panel

As the water ingress is the same I can't see an issue

Hi Dbat, thanks for your response.


Is it the case that an IP56 or IP66 could be required?


Do you know any regs that I can refer to in order to substantiate the appropriate IP rating for a panel installed at the roof?

For most situations BS 7671 doesn't specify particular IP rating - but rather that equipment should be "suitable" for the environment (e.g. reg 512.2).


The problem is that what's suitable for one situation might be quite inadequate for another - a roof of a sheltered inland building could probably get away with a lot lower IP rating than say the roof of a lighthouse on the coast or a building atop a high exposed mountain.


Appendix 5 of BS 7671 gives some guidance - specifically sections AD and AE for IP ratings. If the worst is normal rain then IPX4 or even IPX3 might be entirely suitable. IPX5 or IPX6 would only normally be required where jets of water would be expected (so paradoxically perhaps more likely to be needed at low levels where pressure washers might be used rather than high out of the way places exposed to 'just' the weather).


The 1st digit - for protection against solids - particularly dust for IP5X or IP6X - both provide adequate protection for the contents of the enclosure - either by ensuring no dust at all gets in, or by only allowing in quantities that won't cause a problem. So unless it's a particularly sensitive equipment, or an extraordinary challenging situation, it's probably not a deal breaker either way.


  - Andy.