In the Internet of Things (IoT) world, understanding IP standards is essential to ensure the durability and performance of your devices in different conditions. Let's break down these seemingly complex codes together so you can make informed decisions when choosing your connected devices.
Understanding IP Standards: The Protection Index
IP (Ingress Protection Rating) standards provide crucial information about a device's ability to resist dust and water. These codes are usually in the form "IPxy", where "x" represents dust resistance and "y" represents water resistance.
Dust Resistance (Digit “x”)
- Number 0 : No protection against dust.
- Number 1 : Protected against solid objects over 50 mm (e.g. a hand).
- Number 2 : Protected against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm (e.g. fingers).
- Number 3 : Protected against solid objects larger than 2.5 mm (e.g. tools).
- Number 4 : Protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm (e.g. small tools).
- Number 5 : Protected against dust in limited quantities.
- Number 6 : Completely protected against dust.
Water Resistance (Digit “y”)
- Number 0 : No protection against water.
- Number 1 : Protected against vertical drops of water.
- Number 2 : Protected against water drops inclined up to 15 degrees.
- Number 3 : Protected against light splashes of water.
- Number 4 : Protected against splashing water.
- Number 5 : Protected against jets of water from different angles.
- Number 6 : Protected against powerful jets of water.
- Number 7 : Protected against temporary immersion in water (up to 1 meter deep).
- Digit 8 : Protected against continuous immersion in water under specified conditions.
Additional Letters: Clarification
Sometimes you'll see standards like "IPX5", where the letter "X" replaces the number for dust resistance. This indicates that dust resistance is not specified, but water resistance is.
Example of IP65 hardware:
-LoRaWan Gateway - Milesight - UG65-868M-EA
-Industrial screen - 15 inch capacitive
-PR1KCO28 - Roof antenna
Example of IP67 hardware:
-Milesight IP67 and IK08 uninterruptible power supply - UPS01
-QuSpot outdoor antenna for Teltonika RUT956 - A955S
-Milesight 5G AIoT 12X Pro Bullet Plus Camera - MS-C2966-X12RGOPC
Understanding Additional Letters
In addition to numbers, letters can be added to give more details on certain characteristics:
- “ F ”: Resistance to oils. Indicates that the device is designed to resist the effects of oils and greases.
- “ H ”: The high electrical voltage resistance. Means that the device is designed to withstand high electrical voltages.
- “ M ”: Equipment in motion during the watertightness test. Indicates that the device was moving during the water test.
- “ S ”: Presence of rotating moving parts during the watertightness test. Means there are rotating moving parts during the watertightness test.
- “ K ”: Resistance to chemicals. Indicates that the device is designed to resist certain specified chemicals.
- “ W ”: Equipment intended for use in specific weather conditions. This may include resistance to outdoor weather conditions such as strong wind or storms.
- “ D ”: Resistance to fine dust. Indicates increased protection against fine dust.
- “ A ”: Resistance to exposure to rainwater from different angles. Indicates specific protection against exposure to rainwater.
- “ B ”: Resistance to water splashes from different angles. Similar to "A", but specifying splashing water rather than rain.
These additional letters provide more specific details about a device's resistance characteristics, allowing users to choose IoT devices based on their specific environmental and usage needs. By understanding these codes, you are better equipped to ensure your IoT devices are ready for the elements, whether that's dust, rain, or submersion. Enjoy a reliable and sustainable IoT experience by making informed choices.