What Does IP Rated Actually Mean?

You may have heard IP67 or the term IP Rated, or IP Rating discussed in the Tech space, the internet or at work.

But what does it mean?

So, what does IP Rated actually mean?

IP stands for Ingress Protection, which literally translates as “protection against entrance”. But in a technological context, Ingress Protection represents a particular classified manufacturing and sealing process that protects equipment against the intrusion of water and dust.

Each digit that is assigned to “IP” has its own individual representation – protections against solid objects and protection against liquids.

Why is IP technology necessary?

Dust, water and humidity intrusion can prove extremely detrimental to any type of equipment over time.

Which is why for organisations that deal with tough conditions regularly (bad weather, extreme temperatures or industrial settings), and also heavily-rely on mobile tech in order to fulfill work productivity, IP technology is absolutely crucial

Without such technology we would see a frightfully high (and wasteful) turnover of comme rcial tablets, handhelds, PDAs and smartphones that are used in work environments.

IP also includes shock and vibration tolerance, and can therefore survive being dropped (at Conker we drop test our IP Rated devices from 1.2m-1.5m on to wooden flooring and concrete).

Plus extreme high and low temperatures and corrosive environments.

Below is a table that maps out what each IP code actually means. You may have seen IP65 or IP67 before – each of which has a very different type of ingress protection.

The two digits following “IP” are treated separately. Read on to find out more.

First Number (Protection against solid objects)	Definition	Second number (Protection against liquids)	Definition
	No protection		No protection
	Protection against solids objects over 50 mm (e.g. accidental touch by Hands)		Protection against vertically falling drops of water
	Protection against solids objects over 12 mm (e.g. fingers)		Protection against direct sprays up to 15 degree from the vertical
	Protection against solids objects over 2.5 mm (e.g. tools and wires)		Protection against direct sprays up to 60 degree from the vertical
	Protection against solids objects over 1mm (e.g.tools, wires and small wires		Protection against sprays from all directions, limited ingress permitted
	Protection against dust,limited ingress (no harmful deposit)		Protection against low pressure jets if water from all directions,limited ingress permitted
	Total protection against dust		Protection against strong jets of water e.g. for use on ship decks – limited ingress permitted
			Protection against the effects of temporary immersion between 15 cm and 1m. Duration of test 30 minutes
			Protection against long periods of immersion under pressure