IP Rating System
The IP rating, or Ingress Protection Rating, is a “system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment, establish by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IP code consists of two numbers, the first representing debris intrusion and the second representing moisture intrusion. The higher the number the more resistant the component is to intrusion. The IP does not include hypens but simply IP##. When an IP rating replaces a number with an X, the component has not been tested against that type of intrusion.
Solid Protection
IP Code | Protection | Object size |
---|---|---|
0 | No protection | N/A |
1 | Protection from contact with any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part, such as a finger | Less than 50mm |
2 | Protection from fingers or similar objects | Less than 12.5mm |
3 | Protection from tools, thick wires or similar objects | Less than 2.5mm |
4 | Protection from most wires, screws or similar objects | Less than 1mm |
5 | Partial protection from contact with harmful dust | N/A |
6 | Protection from contact with harmful dust | N/A |
Moisture Protection
IP Code | Protection | Test duration | Usage |
---|---|---|---|
0 | No protection | N/A | N/A |
1 | Protection against vertically dripping water | 10 mins | Light rain |
2 | Protection against vertically dripping water when device is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees | 10 mins | Light rain |
3 | Protection against direct sprays of water when device is tilted at an angle up to 60 degrees | 5 mins | Rain and spraying |
4 | Protection from sprays and splashing of water in all directions. | 5 mins | Rain, spraying and splashing |
5 | Protection from low-pressure water projected from a nozzle with a 6.3mm diameter opening in any direction | 3 mins from a distance of 3 meters | Rain, splashing and direct contact with most kitchen/bathroom faucets |
6 | Protection from water projected in powerful jets from a nozzle with a 12.5mm diameter opening in any direction | 3 mins from a distance of 3 meters | Rain, splashing, direct contact with kitchen/bathroom faucets, outdoor use in rough sea conditions |
7 | Protected from immersion in water with a depth of up to 1 meter (or 3.3 feet) for up to 30 mins | 30 mins | Rain, splashing and accidental submersion |
8 | Protected from immersion in water with a depth of more than 1 meter (manufacturer must specify exact depth) | Varies | Rain, splashing and accidental submersion |
Waterproof
The term waterproof is a misnomer in the world of electronics. Nothing is waterproof but resistant to water pressure. All electronics can leak if enough pressure is applied under the right conditions. The IP rating wil give you an indication of how resistand the device is to moisture and debris. In general, electronics may be weatherproof or weather resistant which represent fall less invasive pressures. Read more
As a rule of thumb, weatherproof GPS trackers should not be pressure washed at less than 3′ in order to maintain moisture integrity.
Water Pressure
Water Ratings | Protection | Usage |
---|---|---|
1 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 10 meters (33 feet) | Improved resistance to rain and splashes. No showering or swimming. |
3 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 30 meters (98 feet) | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion and showering. No swimming. |
5 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters (164 feet) | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, surface swimming, shallow snorkeling |
10 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 100 meters (328 feet) | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, swimming and snorkeling. No deep water scuba diving or high-speed water sports. |
20 ATM | Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 200 meters (656 feet) | Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, swimming, snorkeling, surface diving and water sports. No deep water diving. |