In the ruggedized computer industry, Ingress Protection
ratings are the standards used to classify degrees of protection for both the
user (from potentially harmful elements within the computer’s structure) and
the computer itself from external solids and liquids such as dust and moisture.
Ingress Protection ratings, or IP ratings, are normally verified by
laboratories that certify equipment, such as UL or CENELEC.
IP ratings appear as two-digit numbers with each number
ranging from 0 to 8. The higher the number, the better the protection. The
first number signifies protection from solids. The second number signifies
protection from liquids. When choosing a ruggedized computer for use in
industrial environments, the product should have an IP rating of at least 65
for the best possible protection from dust and moisture.
In the IP Ratings Table provided below, the number 6 in
the solids column shows that the computer is totally protected from dust
regardless of the particle size. The number 5 in the liquids column shows that
the computer is protected from jets of water striking it at 12.5 liters per
minute for at least three minutes. The numeric designation for liquids goes as
high as 8, meaning the computer is certified to work longer than 30 minutes at
a depth of one meter of water without penetrating the computer.
IP Rating Table
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Solids (First Number)
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Liquids (Second Number)
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0
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No protection from solids (such as hands, fingers,
screwdrivers, wires, etc.)
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0
|
No protection from liquids or moisture. In this
instance, the IP rating probably isn’t provided.
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1
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Protected from solids 50 mm or larger
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1
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Very limited protection; water can penetrate.
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2
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Protected from solids 12 mm or larger
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2
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Protected from vertically falling water at an angle up
to 15 degrees; limited penetration.
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3
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Protected from solids 2.5mm or larger
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3
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Protected from water falling at an angle up to 60
degrees; limited penetration.
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4
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Protected from solids 1 mm or larger
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4
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Can withstand splashing water from all directions;
limited penetration.
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5
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Some dust can penetrate the housing.
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5
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Can withstand water falling at 12.5 liters per minute
for at least 3 minutes.
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6
|
No dust can penetrate the housing.
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6
|
Can withstand water falling up to 100 liters per minute
with limited penetration (hurricane force).
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7
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Na
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7
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No penetration when submerged at least one meter for 30
minutes.
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8
|
na
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8
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No penetration when submerged one meter or more for 30
minutes or longer.
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Computer Dynamics provides customized industrial
computing technology and durable computers
that can meet any IP rating specifications. To learn more or to request a
quote, please contact us
today.
