The dimensioning of operating equipment is dependent on environmental conditions. Any pollution or contamination may give rise to conductivity that, in combination with moisture, may affect the insulating properties of the surface on which it is deposited.
The pollution degree influences the design of components in terms of the creepage distance.The pollution degree is defined
for exposed, unprotected insulation on the basis of environmental conditions.
Geneuo heavy duty connectors are designed as standard for
Pollution Degree 3.
In air-conditioned or clean, dry rooms, such as computer and measuring instrument rooms, for example.
■ Pollution degree 1
■ Pollution degree 2
In residential, sales and other business premises, precision engineering workshops, laboratories, testing bays, rooms used for medical purposes. As a result of occasional moisture condensation, it is to be anticipated that pollution/contamination may be temporarily conductive.
■ Pollution degree3
In industrial, commercial and agricultural premises, unheated storage premises, workshops or boiler rooms, also for the electrical components of assembly or mounting equipment and machine tools.
■ Pollution degree 4
In outdoor or exterior areas such as equipment mounted on the roofs of locomotives or tramcars.
Subject to compliance with certain preconditions, the standard for connectors permits a lower pollution degree than that which applies to the installation as a whole. This means that in a pollution degree 3 environment, connectors may be used which are electrically rated for pollution degree 2.
The basis for this is contained in DIN EN 61 984, Para. 6.19.2..