When shopping for electronics, appliances, or outdoor gear, you may have come across the term “IP ratings” in the product specifications. IP, or Ingress Protection, ratings are standardized codes that indicate the level of protection a product provides against water and dust ingress. These ratings are important to consider, especially if you plan to use the product in harsh or outdoor environments, or if it will be exposed to water or dust.
IP ratings consist of two digits, each representing a specific level of protection against different types of ingress. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids. The higher the number, the greater the level of protection. For example, a product with an IP68 rating offers the highest level of protection against both dust and water ingress.
Understanding IP ratings can be helpful in choosing the right product for your needs. For example, if you plan to use a speaker by the pool or on the beach, a product with a high IP rating will be better equipped to handle water and sand than a product with a lower rating. Similarly, if you need to use a tablet in a dusty or dirty environment, a product with a high IP rating will be more resistant to dust and debris ingress.
In this article, we will explore IP ratings in more detail, including what the different digits mean and how to interpret IP ratings for different products. We will also discuss some common misconceptions about IP ratings and why they are important to consider when purchasing electronic or outdoor products. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of IP ratings and how to use them to choose the right product for your needs.
IP Ratings digit insight
IP ratings consist of two digits, each representing a specific level of protection against different types of ingress. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids. Here’s what each digit means:
First Digit – Protection Against Solid Objects: 0 – No protection against contact and ingress of objects 1 – Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm in diameter 2 – Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm in diameter 3 – Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm in diameter 4 – Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm in diameter 5 – Protection against dust, limited ingress (no harmful deposit) 6 – Complete protection against dust
Second Digit – Protection Against Liquids: 0 – No protection against ingress of liquids 1 – Protection against vertically falling drops of water (e.g., condensation) 2 – Protection against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15 degrees 3 – Protection against spraying water at an angle up to 60 degrees from vertical 4 – Protection against splashing water from any direction 5 – Protection against water jets from any direction 6 – Protection against powerful water jets or heavy seas 7 – Protection against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter deep 8 – Protection against continuous immersion in water under specified conditions
For example, an IP67 rating means that the product is dust-tight (6) and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes (7). An IP55 rating means that the product is dust-tight (5) and can withstand water jets from any direction (5). It’s important to note that while higher IP ratings indicate greater protection, they do not necessarily indicate better performance or durability overall.
Common misconception about IP ratings in smartphone
One common misconception about IP ratings in smartphones is that they provide complete protection against water damage. While an IP rating can give you an idea of how well a smartphone can withstand water exposure, it’s important to remember that IP ratings are based on laboratory tests under controlled conditions and may not necessarily reflect real-world use.
For example, an IP68 rating indicates that a smartphone is dust-tight and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. However, this rating does not mean that the smartphone is completely waterproof and can be used underwater without any risk of damage. In fact, some manufacturers explicitly state in their user manuals that water damage is not covered under warranty, even for smartphones with high IP ratings.
Another common misconception is that all smartphones with the same IP rating offer the same level of protection. In reality, the level of protection offered by a smartphone with a given IP rating can vary depending on the manufacturer’s implementation and the quality of the materials used. For example, some smartphones with an IP68 rating may be more durable than others in real-world use due to better build quality or additional protective measures such as seals and gaskets.
Overall, while IP ratings can be helpful in comparing the water and dust resistance of smartphones, they should not be the only factor to consider when choosing a phone for use in harsh or outdoor environments. It’s important to read user reviews, check the manufacturer’s warranty, and take proper precautions such as using a protective case to minimize the risk of damage from water or dust ingress.
