An IP rating tell you how much protection a device have against liquids and solid. The IP rating is important because many device are rated as being weather-resistant, yet not waterproof. If a device gets exposed to the weather due to it’s intended use, the water may find a way to enter the device and damage it.
The IP protection rating use a series of numbers to tell you the degree of protection that a device has. The first number tell you the device’s protection against solids, while the second tell you the device’s protection against liquids. If you see an X in this code, it mean the device did not undergo that specific test.
What an IP rating tells you
Therefore, do not assume the device have protection against solids or liquids if the manufacturer use an X in the code. You must select a device that have the appropriate IP code based off the environment in which the device will be used. In dry environments, devices with low IP codes is sufficient.
However, in environments such as the kitchen or the bathroom, where there is high humidity and water splashes, a device with a higher IP code is necessary. Using a device with a low IP code in a high-moisture environment will lead to damage for the device. If you plan to use your device outdoors, you will need one with a higher IP code to protect it against rain and the wind.
A device used on a covered porch may have an IP code that protect it against light drips of rain. However, a device placed in an open area must be able to withstand wind driven rain. Many people chooses to purchase a device with the highest IP code available.
However, if your environment does not require such high protection against liquids, there is no need to purchase a device with the highest possible IP code for your device. The liquid protection code has several category of pressure for the liquids. The code for immersion is for static pressure.
However, the code for jets is for moving water. Therefore, a device that can take the static pressure of being submerged in a swimming pool may not be able to handle the pressure of a high pressure hose directed at the device. Therefore, IP codes for immersion and jets are separate, and the protection against immersion does not necessarily mean that the device can take high-pressure water.
The IP code will not guarantee that a device will last the lifetime of the device. Most devices will use rubber and polymer to ensure that the device does not get water inside it. However, over time, the rubber and polymers will degrade due to the extreme temperature or the UV rays from sunlight.
Therefore, a device that is rated as waterproof at the time of purchase may no longer meet that standard after several years of use. Do not rely on the IP code for the device as a lifetime guarantee. The IP code also has a “K” suffix for devices that are meant to be cleaned with boiling water or steam.
Although a “K” suffix is not needed for devices in the home, it is needed for professional kitchen where the equipment must stand up to extreme form of cleaning. When purchasing a device, look for the specific IP code instead of the manufacturer’s description of the device’s protection. The IP code will tell you the level of protection that the device offer against solid and liquid damage.
By understanding the environment in which the device will be used, you can select an appropriate IP code for your devices so that they will continue to function in that environment.