One of the greatest concerns for any computer user is dust or water infiltrating the case and damaging the electronics within. This concern is doubled for users in sectors like healthcare and industry, where exposure to liquids and debris is far more likely.
For this reason, computers designed for these business sectors will come with certified ingress protection (IP) ratings, reflecting that their enclosures have been tested and certified to withstand outside intrusion.
What does Ingress Protection Mean?
Ingress protection is a measurement of how well a device's casing or enclosure protects it from dust and liquid intrusion. All electronic devices receive an IP rating based on how well their case or enclosure performs in these tests.
IP ratings are represented by a two-digit number: 00, 43, 65, etc. The first digit (ranging from 0 to 6) reflects how well the enclosure blocks out dust and solid objects, while the second digit (ranging from 0 to 9) represents protection against water and other liquids.
For example, a device with a 00 rating has zero protection against anything; this would apply to a PC without a case at all. A device with a rating of 44 is protected against solid foreign objects 1mm wide or larger and against water splashes coming from any direction.
An IP rating of 65 is considered ideal for medical and industrial panel PCs. This indicates that the enclosure is dust-tight (meaning that as long as the seal is intact, nothing should be able to get inside) and can withstand water projected from any angle.
Higher ingress protection ratings, such as IP 67, 68, and 69, are typically only seen in extremely specialized equipment, such as computers that will operate underwater for long periods of time. For land-based applications, a rating of 65 is more than sufficient.
Who Manages IP Ratings?
The rules and standards for IP ratings are set by the International Electrotechnical Commission, the international governing body for electronic device certifications. Along with other regulatory standards (such as IEC 60601 for medical devices), the IEC provides IEC 60529 to lay out the levels of ingress protection and how to test for each level.
How is IP Testing Performed?
Testing for IP ratings is performed in dedicated chambers and with specialized equipment that simulates the conditions these devices will face. For example, the lower ratings for solid object intrusion use tools that mimic the shape of human hands and fingers to see if a person could reach into the case and touch the electronics within.
For dustproof testing, the device is locked inside a test chamber and blasted with dust from various angles. After exposure, the device's enclosure is opened to see how much, if any, dust managed to infiltrate the enclosure.
For waterproof testing, different procedures exist for different levels of severity. For an IP X5 rating, a device must be sprayed with water from a 6.3mm nozzle for at least 3 minutes, with a water volume of 12.5 liters per minute and pressure of 30 kN/m² from 3 meters away. An IP X6 rating is a significant step up and requires the device to be sprayed by a 12.5mm nozzle for at least three minutes, with a water volume of 100 liters per minute and a pressure of 100 kN/m² from three meters away!
IP65 Rated Computers from Cybernet Manufacturing
A good IP rating isn't just a nice sticker to slap on the side of a box; it's a critical component in ensuring a device's reliability. Following the IEC's standards and testing procedures ensures that a computer will be ready for the worst that its owners can throw at it.
If you need reliable computers that are tested and certified to IP65 standards, contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing. We extensively test our industrial and healthcare computers to meet IP65 rating requirements, guaranteeing they can support your operations no matter what the conditions are.
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