What is an IP67 Rating?

Many devices have an IP rating to show that they are protected against dust and water, which can often impede operational abilities and lead to system failures. 

In this blog, you'll learn more about the importance of obtaining an IP67 rating to ensure optimal performance and maximize customer satisfaction. 

What is an IP rating? 

IP stands for "Ingress Protection" and serves as the International Protection Marking.

Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), IP ratings indicate how well a product protects against the entrance of solid or liquid particles, mainly dust and water.

In all IP ratings, the IP is followed by two digits. The first digit represents how well a product protects against solids, and the second digit represents how well it protects against liquids in varying volumes, pressures, and temperatures.

The first digit ranges from 1 through 6, and the second digit ranges from 1 through 9.

Below is a graphic describing the level of protection for both solids and liquids as indicated by each digit:

IP68, for instance, means that the system is completely protected against solids (6) and can stay immersed in water under pressure for an extended time (8).

The primary reason for using the term "IP certification" is to avoid generic words such as "waterproof" or "water-resistant."

For example, just because something is said to be "water-resistant" does not mean that it completely resists water or can stay immersed for an extended time.

However, a systematic approach like IP ratings that measures a system's level of protection against the elements erases any confusion regarding that product's capabilities.

(Even so, there are limitations to both solid and liquid resistance, and companies often indicate exceptions in the fine print.)

What is IP67?

If a product has an IP67 rating, that indicates it is "waterproof." 

The 6 indicates "complete protection against dust over extended time" as well as "protection against contact with objects greater than 1mm in diameter, such as a wire or a small tool."

The 7 indicates the system is "protected against short periods of immersion in water while under pressure between 15cm and 1m." 

IP67 products offer a greater degree of protection than those with IP65 or IP66 ratings, both of which are merely "water-resistant." 

"Water-resistant" means that the system protects against water entrance to a degree, but it does not offer complete protection.

Why obtain an IP67 rating? 

Besides establishing conformity in labeling a system's capabilities, obtaining the proper IP rating legitimizes claims about a product and allows customers to see what level of protection they should expect.

Customers have certain expectations as to how a product will perform, and IP ratings offer assurance to customers that a product will conform to their needs.

However, it is essential to ensure that an IP rating accurately reflects a product's capabilities.

Failing to obtain the proper IP rating harms consumer confidence, which can, in turn, endanger a company's standing in the market.

How to obtain an IP67 rating

To obtain an IP rating, a company must arrange to undergo Ingress Protection Testing by an independent, certified company.

However, before a product can be tested, a company must first determine which IP rating it wishes to obtain for that particular system.

A company must consider three factors when deciding on an IP rating: the ideal level of resistance the product should have, whether or not the product will meet the standards during testing to obtain that rating, and customers' expectations of the product.

When a consensus has been reached, the independent body will step in and perform a series of tests to give the product an IP rating. This rating will then be applied to the product, giving customers an indication of its level of protection.

What is the cost of an IP rating? 

In general, the higher the IP rating, the higher the cost. 

The independent certification body conducting the testing will charge for their services. The cost of these tests, along with research and development costs, will then be passed along to consumers, factoring into the product's final price. 

Though consumers will be paying a premium, they may end up saving money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs and buying a new product every few years. 

For example, suppose customers are looking for a product with long-term durability that effectively resists dust and water. In that case, they will be willing to pay a higher price for a product that is marketed as "IP67 Certified." 

Additionally, suppose a company is not marketing its products with a specific IP rating, but its competitors are. That company will likely lose credibility in the eyes of potential customers and, as a result, harm its profitability. 

Conclusion

When companies are developing a product, they ought to make sure that it aligns with customers' needs and protects against the elements to ensure optimal performance.

Trenton is committed to exceeding customer expectations of product quality and reliable services by meeting the requirements and continually improving our management systems.

Our new Tactical Advanced Computer (TAC) is aligned with IP67 standards to provide a reliable and durable solution for high-performance computing across all domains of the modern battle cyberspace.

With its fanless, sealed enclosure, the TAC is designed to resist dust and water in a wide variety of environments so that you can tackle any mission with complete confidence.

Want to learn more? Drop us a line to discover how our team of experts can help you craft a customised solution adherent to IP ratings that effectively resists solid and liquid ingress while operating at maximum efficiency.

Sources: 

• "How to choose the right IP rating for your product"
• "How Waterproof is IP67 Waterproof" 
• "What Does an IP67 Rating Mean?"