In an IK impact test, the laboratory mounts the charger housing the way it will be installed, then strikes its exposed faces with a calibrated impact hammer set to the energy of the claimed code — 5 joules for IK08, 20 joules for IK10. Afterwards it is inspected for cracks and deformation, and checked: no opening may let a test probe reach live parts, and the sealing must hold.
Key Takeaways
- An IK test strikes a production housing, mounted as installed, at a defined energy — 5 J at IK08, 20 J at IK10.
- After the blows, the lab checks cracks, probe access to live parts, function and the survival of the IP sealing.
- Read the report’s specimen line first: a different housing or material means a different product was tested.
- EVDANCE publishes no IK figure, so the test report is a written request on any public-site order.
The Energy Ladder the Hammer Follows
The IK code runs from IK00, no protection, up to IK10. Each code is a defined impact energy from a defined hammer mass and drop: IK10 is a 5 kg mass falling 400 mm. The rungs a buyer will meet are:
| IK code | Impact energy | Where it sits in practice |
|---|---|---|
| IK06 | 1 joule | Light knocks — sheltered locations |
| IK07 | 2 joules | Everyday bumps in quiet settings |
| IK08 | 5 joules | The common point for public and workplace chargers |
| IK09 | 10 joules | Exposed street and car-park equipment |
| IK10 | 20 joules | The top of the scale |
What the codes mean for siting is in our guide to choosing an outdoor enclosure; here the subject is how the number is earned.
What Happens in the Lab, Step by Step
- The specimen is a production housing. It arrives complete — display window, door, latches and connector parts fitted — because a bare shell tests easier. A report for a different housing covers a different product.
- It is mounted as in service. The sample is fixed rigidly as installed, so the housing cannot bounce away from the blow.
- The hammer strikes each exposed face. The lab uses a pendulum, spring or vertical-drop hammer, depending on energy. Blows spread over the face — flats, corners, window surround, door — vulnerable points included.
- The housing is inspected, not just looked at. The lab records cracks, dents and displaced parts, then checks: can a test probe reach live parts through any opening? Do door and latch still work? Is the IP sealing intact?
- The verdict goes in the report. Damage per face, photographs, and the pass judgement, signed to the specimen tested.
The order of checks is the point: a surface mark is cosmetic, but an opened enclosure undoes electrical safety and weather sealing in one blow. IK and IP results belong in the same project file — see the IP ratings guide.
How to Read an IK Test Report
- Laboratory and accreditation. A named lab accredited for this test — the discipline of our certifications guide.
- Standard and edition used, and the IK level claimed.
- Specimen description — exact model, housing material, what was fitted. This line decides coverage.
- Mounting and energies applied, face by face, with damage recorded and photographs.
- Red flags: a bare “IK10” claim with no report; a specimen differing from the production housing; a shell-only test with window and door left off.
Asking EVDANCE for IK Evidence
EVDANCE product pages state IP ratings — the EV-ACT3204E wallbox at IP65/IP66 with CE, the EV-AC03201T station at IP54 — but publish no IK figure for any model. For a public-site project, request the IK report for the exact model in writing; where a tender names an IK level, the report is the evidence, and sampling a unit before a bulk order — as in our sample testing guide — confirms production matches it. Raise it through the OEM and private-label programme or contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IK10 required for a public charger?
There is no universal requirement. Tenders and site risk assessments set the level; the lab report proves a model meets it. Ask what your project documents require.
Does passing an IK test make a charger vandal-proof?
No. The test uses defined energies from a standard hammer. A determined attack with heavy tools exceeds every IK code — the rating grades knocks and casual abuse; site layout and protection are separate decisions.
If the housing cracks during the test, is that an automatic fail?
Damage that exposes live parts, breaks a function such as the door, or breaks the weather sealing fails the purpose of the test. Superficial marks may be recorded without failing. The report, not the headline code, is the document to file.
Related Reading
- Do You Need an EV Charger Enclosure? How to Choose an Outdoor Enclosure
- IP Ratings for EV Chargers: IP54, IP65 and IP66 Compared
- How to Test an EV Charger Sample Before Placing a Bulk Order
- EV Charger Certifications Explained: CE, UKCA, UL, ETL, CB and What Buyers Should Ask For
