Anyone would wants to enjoy cosy warmth on their patio in the colder season can this can easily attach infrared heaters. But while you can retreat into the protection of your own four walls in the event of an storm, a permanently installed IR radiant heater has to bear the weather outside. And even, if installed uncovered, survive rain ranging from showers to torrential rain and in snow and freezing temperatures. Can it really survive all this? Yes! Provided that the IR radiant heater has the appropriate IP protection class.
If the IR radiant heaters are installed under a roof, canopy or balcony, for example, protection class IP24 is perfectly sufficient, provided that the canopy reliably keeps out the splashing rain water. On the other hand, if IR radiant heaters are directly exposed to the weather, the housings must have a protection rating of at least IP 55 or IP 65. These IR heaters are absolutely dustproof and are protected against jets of water on all sides – for example, the Trotec range includes all infrared heaters of the IRD series (IP55) as well as the IR series radiant heaters (IP65).
What does ‘IP protection class’ mean?
IP stands for International Protection and the letters ‘IP’ are internationally associated with the protection of equipment against contact, foreign bodies and water. The following code number system is used to determine the extent to which the unwanted penetration of foreign bodies and moisture into the interior of the device is prevented. The combinations of the subsequent code numbers are precisely defined in the national and international DIN standards – they indicate the type of protection in the various IP classes.
A reading example: the protection class IP65
The first code number 6 stands for the degree of protection the housing provides against contact and also provides information about the protection against foreign bodies. The second code number 5 provides information about the degree of protection the housing provides against moisture and water ingress. An IR radiant heater with the protection class IP65 therefore provides, as becomes clear once you look at the DIN table, complete protection against accidental contact. Dust cannot penetrate and the device is protected against spray water from any direction. And is therefore also perfectly suited to your (possibly uncovered) patio.
Please take care during installation
Have you already thought about the total permissible load of your patio’s electric circuit? And then chosen a model that appears to be best suited to the location of installation in accordance with the IP protection class? Then all you have to do now is install the device. Some tips for this:
- Follow the instructions step-by-step when installing the device.
- Observe all safety instructions.
- Maintain a safe clearance if the IR heater is attached to flammable material such as wood.
- Do not place the heater too close to flammable objects such as curtains or shelves. A distance of at least 50 cm is recommended here.
Find out more about Trotec’s infrared heater solutions:
- You can find comprehensive information on our infrared heater series in our Trotec shop – here you can find the IR-S radiant heaters, IR radiant heaters, IRD dark radiant heaters as well as the IRS-E pedestal radiant heaters.
- You can follow our guide series on the topic: In the last episode, all Trotec infrared heaters show are directly compared.
- Call our Trotec team of experts at +49 2452 962-400 or use our contact form. We can advise when it comes to choosing a device and answer your questions about our infrared heater series.
