Fiber splice closures and fiber distribution boxes have the following common quality rating requirements:

Ingress Protection Rating (IP)

Standard: International Electrotechnical Commission IEC 60529

IP rating format: IPXY

  • X = protection against solid objects (dust)
  • Y = protection against water

Dust Protection (First Digit)

Level Protection Description
0
No protection
1
Protection against solid objects >50 mm
2
Protection against solid objects >12.5 mm
3
Protection against solid objects >2.5 mm
4
Protection against solid objects >1 mm
5
Dust protected (limited ingress permitted)
6
Dust tight

Water Protection (Second Digit)

Level Protection Description
0
No protection
1
Protection against vertically dripping water
2
Protection against dripping water (15° tilt)
3
Protection against spraying water (up to 60°)
4
Protection against splashing water
5
Protection against water jets
6
Protection against powerful water jets
7
Protection against temporary immersion
8
Protection against continuous immersion

Common product ratings: IP65 / IP66 / IP67 / IP68

Impact Protection Rating (IK)

Standard: International Electrotechnical Commission IEC 62262

IK ratings define resistance to mechanical impact (expressed in joules).

IK Level Impact Energy
IK00
No protection
IK01
Accepts 0.14J force (equivalent to 0.25KG heavy object to 56mm high fall surface force)
IK02
Accepts 0.2J force (equivalent to 0.25KG heavy object to 80mm high fall surface force)
IK03
Accepts 0.35J force (equivalent to 0.2KG heavy object to 140mm high fall surface force)
IK04
Accepts 0.5J force (equivalent to 0.25KG heavy object to 200mm high fall surface force)
IK05
Accepts 0.7J force (equivalent to 0.25KG heavy object to 280mm high fall surface force)
IK06
Accepts 1J force (equivalent to 0.25KG heavy object to 400mm high fall surface force)
IK07
Accepts 0.2J force (equivalent to 0.5KG heavy object to 400mm high fall surface force)
IK08
Accepts 5J force (equivalent to 1.7KG heavy object to 300mm high fall surface force)
IK09
Accepts 10J force (equivalent to 5KG heavy object to 200mm high fall surface force)
IK10
Accepts 10J force (equivalent to 5KG heavy object to 400mm high fall surface force)

Common product ratings: IK08 / IK09 / IK10

Flammability Rating (UL94)

Standard: UL Solutions UL94

Plastic flammability classifications:

HB

  • Horizontal burning test

     

  • Burning rate:

    • < 40 mm/min (thickness 3–13 mm)

    • < 70 mm/min (thickness < 3 mm)

  • Or self-extinguishes before 100 mm mark

V-2

  • Two 10-second flame applications

  • Flame extinguishes within 60 seconds

  • Burning drips allowed

V-1

  • Two 10-second flame applications

  • Flame extinguishes within 60 seconds

  • No burning drips allowed

V-0

  • Two 10-second flame applications

  • Flame extinguishes within 30 seconds

  • No burning drips allowed

Common material ratings: V-1 / V-0

UV Resistance

Standards:
International Organization for Standardization ISO 4892-2
ASTM International ASTM G154

Test method: artificial ultraviolet exposure using xenon arc lamp or UV fluorescent lamp.

Common exposure durations:

  • 500 hours

  • 1000 hours

  • 1500 hours

  • 2000 hours

Typical evaluation criteria:

  • No visible cracking

  • No significant chalking

  • No structural deformation

  • Mechanical property retention within specified limits

Corrosion Resistance (Salt Spray Test)

Standards:
International Electrotechnical Commission IEC 60068-2-11
ASTM International ASTM B117

Test conditions:

  • 5% NaCl solution

  • Test temperature: 35°C

  • Continuous salt fog exposure

Common test durations:

  • 96 hours

  • 240 hours

  • 480 hours

  • 720 hours

Applicable to:

  • Metal brackets

  • Fasteners

  • Reinforcement components

  • Stainless steel parts

Operating Temperature Range

Common operating temperature ranges:

  • -20°C to +60°C

  • -40°C to +70°C

  • -40°C to +85°C