In modern society, the safety issues of electrical equipment cannot be ignored. Among them, preventing human contact with dangerous parts is an important part of ensuring safety. The IP2X jointed finger probe, like Pego’s PG-TPB, as a tool specifically used to test the protection class of electrical equipment, plays a key role in this field.
1. Definition and Structure of the IP2X TestFinger Probe
The IP2X test finger probe, also named test probe B, is a detection tool that is precisely manufactured according to relevant international standards (such as IEC 60529, IEC61032, UL507, UL1278, GB4706.1, etc.). It usually consists of corrosion – resistant metal materials and has specific shapes and dimensions. Its shape mimics the contour of the human finger in a naturally bent state, including details such as the bending angle of the knuckles and the thickness of the finger.
The standard dimensions of the IP2X test finger is as follows:
– Length of the finger: 80mm±0.2
– Diameter of the finger: 12mm-0.05
– Diameter of baffle: Ф75±0.2
– Thickness of baffle: 5±0.5
This carefully designed structure can accurately simulate the situation where the human finger may come into contact with the dangerous parts inside the electrical equipment during normal operation or accidentally.
2. Working Principle
The working principle of the test probe B is based on simulation testing. When testing the protection class of electrical equipment, the IP2X test bent finger is applied to all parts of the equipment housing that may be touched by fingers with a specified force and method. During the test, it is required that the test bent finger cannot touch the live parts inside the equipment or other parts that may cause danger. If the test bent finger cannot enter the openings or gaps in the equipment housing during the application process, or even if it enters, it will not touch the dangerous parts, then the equipment meets the requirements of the IP2X protection class. This means that the equipment can effectively prevent objects with a diameter of 12mm (simulating fingers) from accidentally entering, thus protecting users from electrical shock and other hazards.
3. Classification of Test Finger Probes
Generally, the test finger probes can be classified according to thrust, baffle size, and sample.
First, classification by Thrust Force
Test finger probes can be divided into two categories based on whether they have thrust force.
- Without Thrust Force: When a non-thrust-equipped jointed finger needs to perform force testing, it should be used in conjunction with a push pull force gauge. The tip of the jointed finger is equipped with an M6 interface, allowing users to directly connect the push – pull force gauge for use.
- With Thrust Force: Thrust-equipped test fingers typically come with a 50N thrust force and are capable of providing thrusts of 10N, 20N, 30N, 40N, and 50N. If users require greater thrust force values, custom – made options are available. When force application is necessary during testing, users can directly utilize the force value on the test probe.
Next, classification by Stop Face Size
- PG-TPB: named IP2X jointed finger probe with 50mm stop face, it meets the requirements of IEC61032 and IEC60529 standard,
- PG-TPB-1: named similar test probe B with 50mm circular stop face, it meets the requirements of IEC60335-1 clause 20.2,
- PG-TPB-2: named similar test probe B with 125mm circular stop face which meets the requirements of IEC60335-2-14 clause 20.2.
Finally, classification by the Sample
- Protection against Access to Solid Foreign Objects: If only protection against solid foreign objects testing is needed, the test probe does not need to be connected to an electrical wire.
- Protection against Access to Hazardous Parts: If need to do the protection against access to hazardous parts testing, test probes is a built-in electrical wire. This enables users to easily pair it with a 40 – 45V power indicator for testing.
4. Test Methods
1). As shown in the figure, the joint part of the standard test finger cannot touch the live parts or the hazard parts, and the 50mm-20mm baffle cannot enter.
2). In the test requirement to prevent access to hazard parts, the test probe B is required to have a thrust of 10 ± 3 N. For products without thrust, please use with push-pull gauges.
3). In the anti-shock test, the test probe B should connect with control panel to determine whether the grounding wire is connected(three plugs), open the power switch of the tested product, and apply the corresponding thrust.
