How to evaluate the waterproof level of electric scooters?

How to evaluate the waterproof level of electric scooters?

1. Waterproof level evaluation standards
1.1 IP protection level system
The IP (Ingress Protection) protection level system is a standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for evaluating the protective performance of electrical equipment housings. The system uses two numbers to indicate the protection level of the equipment. The first number represents the dustproof level, and the second number represents the waterproof level. The larger the number, the higher the protection level.
Dustproof level (first number):
IP0X: No protection, completely exposed to dust environment.
IP1X: Prevents intrusion of objects larger than 50mm, and can protect larger solid foreign objects.
IP2X: Prevents intrusion of objects larger than 12mm, such as fingers, and has a certain dustproof ability.
IP3X: Prevents intrusion of objects larger than 2.5mm, such as tools, and has basic dustproof performance.
IP4X: Prevents intrusion of objects larger than 1.0mm, such as mosquitoes, flies, and insects, and the protection performance is further improved.
IP5X: Dust intrusion cannot be completely prevented, but the amount of dust intrusion will not affect the normal operation of the device.
IP6X: Completely protected from dust intrusion, the highest dustproof level.
Waterproof level (second digit):
IPX0: No protection, completely exposed to water.
IPX1: Protected against vertical dripping, with a water flow rate of 1.0±0.5mm/min for 10 minutes.
IPX2: Protected against dripping at an angle of 15°, with a water flow rate of 3.0±0.5mm/min for 5 minutes.
IPX3: Protected against water spray, using a swing pipe water spray device, with a water flow rate of 10L/min for 5 minutes.
IPX4: Protected against splashing water, using a swing pipe splash test or a nozzle splash test, with a water flow rate of 10L/min for 5 minutes.
IPX5: Protected against water jets, using a 6.3mm nozzle, with a water flow rate of 12.5L/min for 3 minutes.
IPX6: Protected against strong water jets, using a 12.5mm nozzle, with a water flow rate of 100L/min for 3 minutes.
IPX7: Protection against short-term immersion in water. The immersion tank ensures that the bottom of the sample is at least 1 meter away from the water surface and the top is at least 0.15 meters away from the water surface, and the duration is 30 minutes.
IPX8: Protection against continuous diving. The specific requirements are agreed upon by the supply and demand parties, and the severity is higher than IPX7.
The waterproof rating of electric scooters is mainly based on the waterproof part of the IP protection rating system (IPX1 to IPX8). For example, an IPX4-rated electric scooter can protect against splashing water from any direction and is suitable for use in light rain; while an IPX7-rated electric scooter can be immersed in water for a short time without damage, and is suitable for use in more severe wading environments.

# 2. Test equipment and environment
2.1 Test device requirements
The test of the waterproof rating of electric scooters requires professional equipment to simulate different water environments to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results. The following are the test devices and requirements for different waterproof levels:
IPX1 and IPX2 level tests:
Dripping device: The diameter of the dripping hole of the dripping test device is usually 4mm, and the dripping speed is 1.0±0.5mm/min (IPX1) or 3.0±0.5mm/min (IPX2). During the test, the electric scooter needs to be placed on the rotating sample table, and the distance from the top of the sample to the dripping hole is not more than 200mm.
IPX3 and IPX4 level tests:
Swing pipe water spray device: The diameter of the water spray hole of the swing pipe water spray device is 0.5mm, and the water flow rate is 0.07L/min (IPX3) or 10L/min (IPX4). The swing angle of the swing pipe is ±60° (IPX3) or ±90° (IPX4), and the swing frequency is 4s/time.
Sprinkler-type water splash device: The diameter of the water spray nozzle of the sprinkler-type water splash test device is 6.3mm, the water flow rate is 12.5L/min, and the water spray distance is 2.5m~3m.
IPX5 and IPX6 grade tests:
Nozzle device: The IPX5 grade test uses a nozzle with an inner diameter of 6.3mm and a water flow rate of 12.5L/min; the IPX6 grade test uses a nozzle with an inner diameter of 12.5mm and a water flow rate of 100L/min. The distance between the nozzle and the electric scooter is 2.5m~3m.
IPX7 and IPX8 grade tests:
Immersion tank: The size of the immersion tank should ensure that the bottom of the electric scooter is at least 1m away from the water surface and the top is at least 0.15m. The specific requirements of the IPX8 grade test are agreed upon by the supply and demand parties, but the severity should be higher than IPX7.

2.2 Environmental Condition Control
In order to ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the test results, the conditions of the test environment need to be strictly controlled. The following are the environmental conditions that need to be paid attention to during the test:
Temperature: The temperature of the test environment should be maintained between 15℃~35℃. Too high or too low temperature may affect the performance of the electronic components of the electric scooter, thereby affecting the test results.
Humidity: The relative humidity should be controlled at 45%~75%. The control of humidity helps to simulate the humidity conditions in the actual use environment and ensure that the test results are consistent with the actual use.
Air pressure: The air pressure of the test environment should be maintained at 86kPa~106kPa. Changes in air pressure may affect the water spray pressure and immersion conditions, so strict control is required.
Wind speed: Strong wind interference should be avoided during the test, and the wind speed should be controlled within 0.5m/s. Excessive wind speed may affect the water spray direction and splashing effect, thereby affecting the accuracy of the test.
By strictly controlling the test equipment and environmental conditions, the accuracy and reliability of the electric scooter waterproof level test can be ensured, providing a scientific basis for product design and improvement.

# 3. Test methods
3.1 Test methods for different IP levels
The test methods for different IP waterproof levels have their own characteristics. The following are specific test methods for each level:
IPX1 level test
Test device: Use a dripping device with a dripping hole diameter of 4mm and a dripping speed of 1.0±0.5mm/min.
Test steps:
Place the electric scooter on the rotating sample table, and the distance from the top of the sample to the dripping hole is not more than 200mm.
The dripping test lasts for 10 minutes.
During the test, observe whether the electronic components and key parts of the electric scooter are harmfully affected by water drops.
IPX2 level test
Test device: The dripping hole diameter of the dripping test device is 4mm, and the dripping speed is 3.0±0.5mm/min.
Test steps:
The electric scooter is placed on the rotating sample table, and the distance from the top of the sample to the dripping hole is not more than 200mm.
The dripping test lasts for 5 minutes.
During the test, the electric scooter needs to be tilted 15°, and 4 tilt directions are tested respectively.
Observe the waterproof performance of the electric scooter in the tilted state to ensure that there is no harmful effect.
IPX3 grade test
Test device: swing pipe water spray device, the diameter of the water spray hole is 0.5mm, and the water flow rate is 0.07L/min.
Test steps:
The swing angle of the swing pipe is ±60°, and the swing frequency is 4s/time.
The electric scooter is placed in the center of the test device to ensure that the water spray is evenly covered.
The water spray test lasts for 5 minutes.
Check the waterproof performance of the electric scooter under water spray conditions to ensure that there is no harmful effect.
IPX4 grade test
Test device: You can choose a swing pipe water splash device or a nozzle water splash device.
Swing pipe water splash device: the diameter of the water spray hole is 0.5mm, the water flow rate is 10L/min, the swing angle is ±90°, and the swing frequency is 4s/time.
Spray water device: the diameter of the spray nozzle is 6.3mm, the water flow rate is 12.5L/min, and the spray distance is 2.5m~3m.
Test steps:
The electric scooter is placed in the center of the test device to ensure that the splash water covers evenly.
The duration of the splash water test is 5 minutes.
Check the waterproof performance of the electric scooter under the condition of splash water to ensure that there is no harmful effect.
IPX5 grade test
Test device: Use a nozzle with an inner diameter of 6.3mm and a water flow rate of 12.5L/min.
Test steps:
The distance between the nozzle and the electric scooter is 2.5m~3m.
The duration of the water spray test is 3 minutes.
Spray water test the electric scooter from different directions to ensure that all key parts are covered.
Check the waterproof performance of the electric scooter under the condition of spray water to ensure that there is no harmful effect.
IPX6 grade test
Test device: Use a nozzle with an inner diameter of 12.5mm and a water flow rate of 100L/min.
Test steps:
The distance between the nozzle and the electric scooter is 2.5m~3m.
The duration of the water jet test is 3 minutes.
The electric scooter is subjected to a strong water jet test from different directions to ensure that all key parts are covered.
The waterproof performance of the electric scooter under strong water jet conditions is checked to ensure that there is no harmful effect.
IPX7 grade test
Test device: immersion tank, ensure that the bottom of the electric scooter is at least 1m away from the water surface and the top is at least 0.15m.
Test steps:
The electric scooter is completely immersed in water for 30 minutes.
During the test, observe the waterproof performance of the electric scooter to ensure that there is no harmful effect.
IPX8 grade test
Test device: immersion tank, the specific requirements are agreed upon by the supply and demand parties, but the severity should be higher than IPX7.
Test steps:
According to the specific conditions agreed upon by both parties, the electric scooter is immersed in water for testing.
During the test, observe the waterproof performance of the electric scooter under continuous diving conditions to ensure that there is no harmful effect.
Through the above-mentioned testing methods of different IP levels, the waterproof performance of electric scooters can be comprehensively evaluated, providing a scientific basis for product design, improvement and quality control.

# 4. Result determination
4.1 Passing standard
The passing standard of the waterproof level test of electric scooters is to ensure that the equipment can operate normally under specific waterproof conditions without harmful effects. The following are specific passing standards for different IP waterproof levels:
IPX1 and IPX2 levels
Passing standard: After the test, the key parts of the electric scooter, such as electronic components, circuit boards, motors, etc., should not have water droplets intruding, and the equipment can start and operate normally.
Inspection method: Confirm through visual inspection and functional testing that there is no water stain residue on the equipment after the test and that the equipment functions normally.
IPX3 and IPX4 levels
Passing standard: Under water spray or splash conditions, the key parts of the electric scooter should not have water intrusion, and the equipment can operate normally.
Inspection method: Confirm through visual inspection and functional testing that there is no water stain residue on the equipment after the test and that the equipment functions normally.
IPX5 and IPX6 levels
Passing standard: Under water jet or strong water jet conditions, the key parts of the electric scooter should not have water intrusion, and the equipment can operate normally.
Inspection method: Confirm that there is no water stain left on the device after the test and that it functions normally through visual inspection and functional testing.
IPX7 and IPX8 ratings
Pass standard: Under short-term immersion or continuous diving conditions, the key components of the electric scooter should not be infiltrated by water, and the device can operate normally.
Inspection method: Confirm that there is no water stain left on the device after the test and that it functions normally through visual inspection and functional testing.
Additional requirements
Functional test: In addition to checking the waterproof performance of the device, other functions of the electric scooter (such as braking, acceleration, steering, etc.) must also be tested to ensure that it can still operate normally after the waterproof test.
Appearance inspection: Check whether the appearance of the device is damaged or deformed due to the test to ensure the structural integrity of the device.
Through the above strict passing standards and inspection methods, the waterproof performance of the electric scooter in actual use can be ensured, providing consumers with reliable product quality assurance.

# 5. Summary
Through in-depth research on the waterproof rating of electric scooters, we can draw the following conclusions:
5.1 The importance of waterproof rating assessment
As a common means of transportation, the waterproof performance of electric scooters is crucial to ensure the normal operation and service life of the equipment. The IP protection grade system provides a clear evaluation standard for the waterproof performance of electric scooters, allowing consumers to choose products with appropriate waterproof grades according to actual needs. For example, IPX4-rated electric scooters are suitable for use in light rain, while IPX7-rated electric scooters can cope with more severe wading environments.

5.2 Strict requirements for test equipment and environment
Accurate and reliable test equipment and strict environmental condition control are the key to ensuring the accuracy of waterproof grade evaluation results. From dripping devices to nozzle devices to immersion tanks, tests of different waterproof grades require specific equipment to simulate the water environment in actual use. At the same time, the temperature, humidity, air pressure and wind speed of the test environment also need to be strictly controlled to ensure the repeatability and reliability of the test results.

5.3 Diversity and scientificity of test methods
For different IP waterproof grades, the test methods have their own characteristics, covering a variety of methods from dripping tests to water spray tests to immersion tests. These test methods simulate various actual use scenarios to comprehensively evaluate the waterproof performance of electric scooters, providing a scientific basis for product design and improvement.

5.4 Strictness of result determination
The waterproof performance of electric scooters in actual use can be ensured through strict passing standards and inspection methods. From visual inspection to functional testing to appearance inspection, each link ensures that the equipment can still operate normally and without harmful effects after the waterproof test. This strict judgment standard not only protects the interests of consumers, but also provides an important reference for quality control in the electric scooter industry.
In summary, the waterproof rating assessment of electric scooters is a systematic project involving standard formulation, equipment requirements, test methods and result determination. Through this assessment system, the waterproof performance of electric scooters can be effectively improved, meeting the use needs of consumers in different environments and promoting the healthy development of the industry.