One of the most sought-after protection features when purchasing any electronic device (smartphone, smartwatch, smartband) is the IP certification.
Thanks to this standard, the resistance of electronic devices to the infiltration of water or dust is certified, in order to protect their integrity and perfect functioning. Among the certifications that we hear more and more about on smartphones and other devices, we find IP53, IP67 e IP68.
In this article we will specifically look at What are intellectual property certifications, how are the different degrees of protection expressed and what codes do they use?.
What is IP certification?
IP certification is an internationally recognized protection standard (IEC 60529 standard) published byInternational protection. This certification identifies the resistance of any device to the intrusion of liquids, dust and solid bodies. This rule has helped curb some misleading or inaccurate advertising marketing practices.
Each certified object is subjected to specific tests to verify its resistance capabilities., from which a protection code is determined, which clearly and unambiguously shows the characteristics of the product.
The security code is expressed in format. IPXX, where each X It is represented by a number that identifies a specific resistance (for example, IP67, IP68, etc.):
- The first X (IPXX) identifies the level of protection against the access of particles or any other solid body (so not only dust, but also tools, tools, etc.) inside an electronic device;
- The second X (IPXX) identifies the level of protection against the access of any liquid inside an electronic device.
To more precisely understand the different degrees of IP certification, we will see in the next paragraph all the codes related to the two. X that make up the code and the related protection levels.
What are the IP protection degrees?
Protection against solids
For protection against dust and solid objects (IPXX) the following degrees of protection can be found:
- IPXX o IP0X: no protection against the entry of solid objects;
- IP1X: protection against large contact surfaces, such as hands or backs (minimum size 50 mm)
- IP2X: protection against objects the size of fingers or similar size (12 mm minimum)
- IP3X: protection against large objects and tools, such as thick cables or tools (minimum 2,5 mm)
- IP4X: protection against thin cables and screws (minimum 1 mm)
- IP5X: full protection against contact, partial protection against dust
- IP6X: complete protection against dust and contact of any size
Protection against liquids
For protection against liquids (IPXX) the codes are more numerous and are the following:
- IPXX o IPX0: without protection against liquids;
- IPX1: protection against small drops of water falling vertically (test lasting 10 minutes and water corresponding in quantity to 1 mm of rain per minute);
- IPX2: protection against small drops of water up to 15° inclination (10 minute test of which 2,5 minutes for each inclination and water corresponding to 3 mm of rain per minute);
- IPX3: rain protection up to 60° inclination;
- IPX4: protection against direct splashes of water from all directions;
- IPX5: protection against water jets;
- IPX6: protection against large jets of water (showers, fountains, waves);
- IPX7: Temporary low pressure diving capability up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes;
- IPX8: permanent immersion capacity up to 3 meters deep for one hour at a pressure of 10 bar;
- IPX9: permanent immersion capacity up to 5 meters deep, at high pressure and high temperature for one hour, with pressure up to 100 bar;
- IPX9k: protection in case of steam cleaning. (road vehicle certification)
There are also special certifications for protection against human access e material protection. In these cases a letter (A,B C, D, H, M, S, W) is added to the IPXX certification:
- A: Protected against access with the back of the hand.
- B: Protected against access with a finger
- C: Protected against access with a tool
- D: Protected against access with a cable
- H: High voltage equipment
- M: Tested against harmful effects due to water ingress while the equipment is in operation.
- S: Tested against harmful effects due to water ingress when the equipment is stopped
- W: Suitable for use in specific atmospheric conditions
If in a certification there is a
Complete IP Certification Table
