What is IP Rating: The Language of Protection

In today’s tech-driven world, we’re surrounded by electronic devices, from smartphones and headphones to smartwatches and fitness trackers. Many of these devices have IP ratings, which indicate their level of protection against dust and water. But what do these ratings actually mean? Are numbers or letters better? Are larger numbers better or smaller numbers better?

In this article, we will walk through the concept of IP rating, explaining their different levels to help you make informed purchasing decisions.

Understanding IP Rating Format

IP ratings stands for Ingress Protection. They are standardized codes defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to classify the degree of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against foreign objects (dust) and moisture (water).

These ratings are represented by two digits:

• The first digit (IPX) indicates the level of dust protection. A higher number signifies greater protection.

Dust Protection Level Description 0 No protection 1 Protects against objects larger than 50mm 2 Protects against objects larger than 12mm 3 Protects against objects larger than 2.5mm 4 Protects against objects larger than 1mm 5 Protects against dust penetration 6 Dust tight

• The second digit (X or 0-9) indicates the level of moisture protection. A higher number signifies greater protection.

Moisture Protection Level Description 0 No protection 1 Protects against dripping water 2 Against vertically dripping water 3 Against spraying water 4 Against splashing water 5 Against low-pressure jets of water 6 Against high-pressure jets of water 7 Against immersion in water
(for up to 30 minutes at a specified depth) 8

Against prolonged submersion in water

IPX Ratings: A Special Case

In addition to the two-digit IP ratings, there are also IPX ratings. These ratings indicate protection against dust only, with no moisture protection.

For instance, an IPX5 rating means the device is protected against dust penetration but not water.

Interpreting IP Ratings: Examples

Let’s break down a few common IP ratings to understand their meaning:

• IPX4: This rating indicates protection against splashing water from any direction. It’s suitable for devices like splash-proof headphones or speakers.
• IP67: This rating signifies protection against dust penetration and immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It’s common for smartphones and fitness trackers.
• IP68: This rating represents the highest level of dust protection and immersion in water up to 2 meters for 30
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