IK10 is the top grade of the IK code, the scale that grades how much mechanical impact an electrical enclosure can withstand. On a spec sheet it is a claim about one tested housing: that the enclosure passed the hardest standardised impact test in the common scale. It is not a promise that the charger is vandal-proof, and it says nothing about weather. Its worth depends on exactly what was tested and what evidence sits behind it.
Key Takeaways
- IK10 is the top grade of the IK impact code — a claim about one tested enclosure, not the whole charger’s toughness.
- The claim is only as strong as its evidence: a test report for the exact model outweighs a “designed to” line.
- IK is not vandal-proofing and not weatherproofing; IP grades weather, and siting answers deliberate damage.
- EVDANCE listings state IP ratings and no IK grade — for impact-critical projects, request documentation in writing.
Where IK10 Sits in the Scale
The IK code runs upward from IK00, no protection, through grades of increasing impact resistance. IK10 is the highest grade in normal use, which is why tenders and marketing quote it. It is the mechanical partner of the IP rating: IP grades sealing against dust and water, IK grades the box against being struck. The two codes are independent — a strong figure in one says nothing about the other. Our explainer on IP ratings covers the weather half of the pair.
What the Claim Actually Attaches To
“IK10” on a brochure can describe several different things:
| How the claim appears | What it may mean | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| IK10 with a test report for the exact model | The housing you are buying passed the standardised test as a complete unit | For a copy of the report, naming the model and the test standard |
| IK10 on a product family page | One housing variant was tested; others may differ | Whether the grade covers your variant, screen and cover materials included |
| “Designed to IK10” or “IK10-level toughness” | A design target or marketing comparison, not necessarily a completed test | Whether a test was performed at all, and by whom |
The rating also has a fixed boundary: it grades the enclosure only. The cable, connector, latch and any exposed screen are impact points of their own, and no IK grade extends over them.
What IK10 Does Not Prove
- It is not vandal-proofing. The test applies standardised impacts of the kind hard use delivers — knocks, bumps, a swung object. A deliberate attack with tools or repeated force is a different problem, answered by siting, lighting, oversight and physical protection.
- It is not weatherproofing. Sealing against rain and dust is the IP rating’s job. An IK10 box with a low IP grade still lets weather in.
- It is not a site decision. The grade describes the product, not whether this charger in this car park needs the top of the scale. That judgement belongs to the site assessment — the reasoning in our guide to where to install a charging station comes before any number is chased.
- It does not cover installation quality. A tough enclosure on weak fixings, or mounted where vehicles clip it daily, fails as an installation before the housing’s grade is ever reached.
EVDANCE Hardware, Stated Plainly
EVDANCE product pages publish IP ratings, not IK grades: the EV-AC03201T dual-connector AC station is stated at IP54 with OCPP 1.6J for shared sites, and the EV-ACT3204PE 22 kW wallbox at IP66 with CE. No IK figure is claimed for either, and none should be read into the listings. Where impact resistance is a written project requirement, ask for the exact model’s test documentation in writing before ordering — the site range is on our commercial EV charging page. Where exposure is severe, a separate EV charger enclosure or protective siting may answer the risk better than any grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IK10 required for a public EV charger?
There is no universal rule that imposes it. Where a requirement exists, it comes from the project’s own specification, a tender document or a site owner’s standard — read it there rather than assuming a general mandate.
Does an IK10 charger need an IP rating too?
Yes — they grade different threats. IK10 covers impact; rain, dust and wash-down are the IP grade’s job. An exposed site normally needs a considered figure in both codes.
My home wallbox lists no IK rating. Should I worry?
Usually not. A garage wallbox meets low-energy knocks — a bicycle handlebar, a car door — far below the top of the scale. The IP rating, the listing and the warranty carry the home decision. If the spot is genuinely exposed, ask the manufacturer for impact data before buying.
Related Reading
- Do You Need an EV Charger Enclosure? How to Choose an Outdoor Enclosure
- Where to Install an EV Charging Station: Site Selection Guide
- Are Portable EV Chargers Waterproof? IP Ratings Explained for Drivers
