Which distinction does the source support?
Schneider Electric's Electrical Installation Guide describes IP protection in terms of access, solid bodies, dust and liquids, and describes IK in terms of mechanical impact. Its explanations do not make one designation proof of the other.
Genset Enclosures is independent and is not affiliated with Schneider Electric. Do not copy the source's distribution-switchboard recommendations into a generator enclosure specification. The actual project and qualified reviewer establish the required properties and evidence.
What is the actual rated boundary?
Identify whether a declaration concerns the complete enclosure, a separate control box, a door component or a particular tested assembly. A component label cannot silently become a declaration for a finished ventilated enclosure with different openings and fittings.
| Field | Record | Review |
|---|---|---|
| Ingress requirement | Exact approved IP designation and source | Do not invent a required value |
| Impact requirement | Exact approved IK designation and source | Keep separate from ingress |
| Declared boundary | Assembly and configuration covered | Do not extend component evidence |
| Interfaces | Doors, louvers, entries and fitted parts | Reconcile to the same boundary |
| Evidence | Supplier declaration or test reference | Retain stated conditions |
| Disposition | Qualified reviewer and open issues | No equivalence by inference |
How can one confirmed field leave another open?
Illustrative example. A fictional project asks for separate ingress and impact evidence for a defined enclosure assembly. The supplier response contains an IP declaration for a small internal control box, but no evidence for the complete enclosure and no IK declaration for the requested boundary.
The review records component ingress evidence received, whole-assembly ingress evidence open, and requested impact evidence open. It does not infer an impact rating from the IP number or claim that the supplier has failed a test. The missing evidence and the performance of the assembly are different questions.
What should be reconciled before drawings are issued?
Compare the approved assembly with the supplied declarations and current door, louver and penetration details. Ask the supplier or qualified reviewer to resolve changed configurations. Do not fill an impact field from enclosure wall thickness or treat a weatherproof description as a verified code.
This drawing review does not certify ingress, impact, acoustic, fire or ventilation performance. It supplies no universal IP-to-IK or NEMA conversion. Engineering sign-off is performed only by the registered engineer on the job.
Common questions
What else should the bid team know?
Can an IP number be converted into an IK number?
They describe different properties. Obtain the required evidence for each.
Does a control-box rating cover the whole generator enclosure?
Only if the actual declaration and approved boundary establish that coverage.
Does an empty evidence field prove a test failure?
No. Record the missing evidence without inventing a test result.
Primary sources
- Protection provided for enclosed equipment: codes IP and IK, updated 5 August 2026Schneider Electric Electrical Installation Guide