IP Rated Air Filters

Protect electronic enclosures from containment ingress

Protect electronic enclosures from containment ingress

Custom UAF products are configurable to help meet a wide range of enclosure IP ratings:

Electronic Enclosures

Commercial Equipment

Outdoor Cabinets

Industrial Control Equipment

Indoor Enclosures

Outside Plant Applications


Air filters protect electronic equipment and commercial enclosures from dust, debris, and water to help ensure reliable operation.  These enclosures are designed for multiple applications and deployed in a wide variety of harsh environments that require various levels of equipment protection.  The Ingress Protection (IP) scale, in accordance with IEC Standard 60529, defines the level of contaminant protection.  Designers use IP ratings to specify and test according to the environmental and operating conditions of the equipment.  Air filters are critical in helping ventilated enclosures meet the desired IP rating.

The IP Rating chart below shows the various degrees of contaminant protection.  Each IP rating consists of two numbers.  The first number defines the level of dust and foreign object protection and the second number defines the level of liquid protection.  While IP ratings apply to the enclosure and not the air filter, air filters are a key component in meeting IP rating requirements for dust and water ingress protection and equipment reliability.

Universal Air Filter Company specializes in providing design support to help engineers meet IP rating requirements for enclosures. Contact UAF today for design support and made to specification prototypes.


Though air filters are not technically certified to an IP rating, the following IP Rated Air Filter Guide offers guidelines in selecting an air filter with the appropriate level of protection to help meeting an IP enclosure rating.

IP Rating Chart

Enclosure IP RatingUAF Product Line Recommendations*
IP54
IP55
up to IP56
Outside Plant air filters offer the ultimate protection from harmful ingress.  A high efficiency media eliminates dust ingress and a specialty membrane eliminates water ingress.
IP53
IP54
 up to IP55
Quadrafoam air filters provide protection against dust ingress, and along with enclosure design features such as louvers can help to eliminate water ingress.
IP20
IP30
up to IP40
Woven Screen air filters can provide protection against larger particles for compliance with the foreign object / probe portion of IP compliance.
IP53
IP54
 up to IP55
Custom High Efficiency air filters provide protection against dust ingress, and along with enclosure design features such as louvers can help to eliminate water ingre
IP 52
IP53
up to IP55
Metal Mesh air filters provide protection against dust ingress, and along with enclosure design features such as louvers can help to eliminate water ingress.
IP 52
IP53
up to IP54
Polyester air filters provide protection against dust ingress, and along with enclosure design features such as louvers can help to eliminate water ingress

  *Air Filter performance is not based on enclosure (cabinet) level ratings. Ingress protection ratings, such as, IP, NEMA, GR-487, etc., are enclosure level ratings dependent on enclosure design and features, such as, louvers, hoods, snorkels, air intake labyrinth, gaskets, etc. Product recommendations are based on various air filter materials, performance characteristics, and customer feedback for similar applications.

First NumberProtecting against 
dust, foreign object
Second NumberProtection against
liquids
0No Protection0No Protection
1
Protected against solid objects over 50mm (e.g. accidentally touched by hands)
1Protected against vertically falling drops of water
2Protected against solid objects over 12mm (e.g. fingers)2Protected against direct sprays up to 15˚ from the vertical
3Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (e.g. tools and wires)3
Protected against direct sprays up to 60˚ from the vertical
4Protected against solid objects over 1mm (e.g. tools, wires, and small wires)4Protected against sprays from all directions – limited ingress permitted
5Protected against dust ingress5
Protected against low pressure jets from all directions – limited ingress permitted
6Dust-tight6Protected against high pressure jets from all directions – limited ingress permitted

High Efficiency Filter

Pleated high efficiency air filters are designed for HVAC and industrial / commercial enclosure applications requiring MERV 11-15 dust efficiency and low airflow resistance

Outside Plant Filters

Custom Outside Plant Air Filters keep dust, water, wind driven rain and salt fog out of electronics enclosures that use fresh air and direct air cooling systems.

Metal Mesh Air Filters

Metal Mesh filters are ideal for use in harsh environments where rugged, washable and reusable filters are most appropriate.

Outside Plant Filters – Series 2

Custom Outside Plant Air Filters keep dust, water, wind driven rain and salt fog out of electronics enclosures that use fresh air and direct air cooling systems.