IP66 Enclosures - how low can they go?

[leolec]

Given the table below, how close to ground level can one put an IP66 enclosure with a exterior gland on swa entering the bottom of the enclosure?

Ignoring the table below - what's best practice?

IP First number - Protection against solid objects

0 No special protection
1 Protected against solid objects up to 50 mm, e.g. accidental touch by persons hands.
2 Protected against solid objects up to 12 mm, e.g. persons fingers.
3 Protected against solid objects over 2.5 mm (tools and wires).
4 Protected against solid objects over 1 mm (tools, wires, and small wires).
5 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
6 Totally protected against dust.

IP Second number - Protection against liquids

0 No protection.
1 Protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation.
2 Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15o from the vertical.
3 Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60o from the vertical.
4 Protection against water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted.
5 Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions - limited ingress.
6 Protected against temporary flooding of water, e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted.
7 Protected against the effect of immersion between 15 cm and 1 m.
8 Protects against long periods of immersion under pressure

 

[telectrix]

you don't want moisture from the ground seeping up your gland. seen it happen. i would ensure there's at least 6" below the bottom of the boot

 

[bomjac]

If you are worried about the ingress of water, spend an extra few quid on the glands you use and go for one of these babies - Hawke 501/453 universal gland.

Bog standard, universal for use on armour or braided cables in hazardous areas / offshore / marine.

Ingress Protection: IP66, IP67 and IP 68 (30 metres for 7 days) to IEC/EN 60529 and NEMA 4X.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

It should be above the maximum known water level in my humble opinion. My thinking being IPx6, its OK to get it wet, but not all the time.

 

[leolec]

Thanks for the replies, the box I'm putting in is on the side of a top step on a bank, overall a dry area due to the bank. Whilst its in free air at the moment, over time I'm sure there will be a build up of soil and the box will get half burried. I think I'll place one or two bricks around it to asist drainage keep the soil back, I can't see it being a problem.