Understanding IP Ratings: How Electronics Stay Safe from Dust and Water
When shopping for electronics like a new smartphone, smartwatch, speaker, or even industrial equipment, you might have come across labels like IP67, IP68, or IPX4. These aren’t just random codes — they’re IP ratings, part of a standardized system that tells you how well a device is protected from dust and water.
In this blog, we’ll break down what IP ratings mean, how they work, and why they’re important when choosing electronic devices.
What Are IP Ratings?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The IP rating system is defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under standard IEC 60529. It’s used to classify and rate the degree of protection provided by electrical enclosures against intrusion from:
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Solid particles (like dust)
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Liquids (like water)
An IP rating typically looks like this: IPXY
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X: Protection against solid objects and dust (scale: 0–6)
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Y: Protection against liquids (scale: 0–9K)
For example:
IP67 = Dust-tight (6) and water-resistant to immersion up to 1 meter (7).
IP Rating Breakdown
🔹 First Digit: Solid Particle Protection
| Digit | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protected against large objects (>50mm) |
| 2 | Fingers or similar objects (>12.5mm) |
| 3 | Tools, thick wires (>2.5mm) |
| 4 | Wires or small tools (>1mm) |
| 5 | Limited dust protection |
| 6 | Completely dust-tight |
🔹 Second Digit: Liquid Ingress Protection
| Digit | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Dripping water (vertically falling) |
| 2 | Dripping water at 15° angle |
| 3 | Spraying water at up to 60° |
| 4 | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Water jets (low pressure) |
| 6 | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1m for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Continuous immersion beyond 1m |
| 9K | High-pressure, high-temperature water jets |
Note: The higher the number, the greater the protection.
Common Examples
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IP67 Smartphone: Protected from all dust and can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
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IPX4 Bluetooth Speaker: Splash-resistant, but no solid particle protection rating.
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IP68 Smartwatch: Fully dust-tight and resistant to prolonged submersion — ideal for swimming or showering.
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IP69K Industrial Sensor: Maximum protection against dust and high-pressure steam cleaning — used in automotive or factory settings.
What If There’s an “X” in the Rating?
Sometimes you’ll see ratings like IPX7 or IP6X. The “X” means the product hasn’t been tested or rated for that type of ingress.
For example:
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IPX7: Water-resistant but no data on dust protection
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IP6X: Dustproof, but not rated for water resistance
Why IP Ratings Matter
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Consumer Electronics: Helps you choose devices that can withstand your lifestyle — whether it’s rain, beach trips, or accidental drops in water.
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Industrial Equipment: Ensures machines and sensors operate safely in dusty or wet environments.
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Healthcare & Military: Critical for maintaining reliability in harsh conditions.
ETA-USA’s IP Compliant Products
IP ratings are more than just technical jargon — they’re a practical way to understand how durable and reliable a device really is. Whether you need a product sitting out in the elements or in a controlled room, ETA-USA offers power supplies to meet your needs. Here are a few of our products:
HZD500: A 500W AC/DC Converter designed to meet IP65 & IP66 protection and has been qualified to be used IEC60079-0, IEC60079-7 for explosive atmospheres with recommended connector cover. Conductive cooling
CHHS1400: A dual output 1400W (700W per output) AC/DC converter designed to be user serviceable. Designed to be IP67 Previously used in sat-com ground systems.
SL1100: An 1,100 watt AC/DC converter designed to be IP64 (can meet IP66 with specific connector options) in a low profile design. I2C reporting capable with the optional for Mil-std 461 CE102 and RE102 Compliance.
Mil-Standard Compliant Products
ETA-USA’s conduction cooled Mil-Std compliant power supplies have the option to be installed in IP rated housings . This includes
