Improved EN-60529 Dust Chamber for IP5x or IP6x Enclosure Testing

Europe requires safety certification to EN 61010 for equipment such as laboratory, test & measurement equipment. Section 11.6 calls out protection against hazards from liquids (and dust) by testing the product enclosure to IEC 60529, the dust test. This work describes the evaluation of the dust test chamber as detailed in IEC 60529, figure-2 and the subsequent design of an improved dust test chamber. Deficiencies in the existing design and rational for improvement are discussed. The resulting final design is discussed in detail and test data is presented to validate the improvements to the dust test chamber.