IP Ratings Explained
An Ingress Protection (IP) rating is an international rating which tells people how well electrical devices, such as two-way radios, are protected from solids and liquids. So, if you’re thinking of buying two-way radios, IP ratings should definitely be considered. Of course, this all depends on your reason for using two-way radios and the industry you’re working in. For example, some industries may need protection for any accidental wear and tear, yet construction industries would need two-way radios that are extremely resilient against dust and water.
The first number I an IP rating explains how well the device resists foreign materials entering it:
- 0 = No special protection
- 1 = Protected against objects greater than 50mm in diameter
- 2 = Protected against objects greater than 12.5mm in diameter
- 3 = Protected against objects greater than 2.5mm in diameter (tools/thick wires)
- 4 = Protected against objects larger than 1mm (wires/screws or large ants)
- 5 = Dust protected – not entirely prevented but cannot enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the operation of the equipment
- 6 = Complete protection (dust tight)
The second number of an IP rating indicates its resistance to liquids (freshwater only)
- 0 = None
- 1 = Protected against dripping water (vertically falling drops)
- 2 = Protected against dripping water (when tilted at 15 degrees)
- 3 = Protected against spraying water (at any angle up to 60 degrees)
- 4 = Protected against splashing water
- 5 = Protected against low pressure water jets
- 6 = Protected against powerful water jets and waves
- 7 = Protected against temporary immersion (up to 1 metre in depth) for up to 30 minutes
- 8 = Protected against prolonged immersion under pressure (beyond 1 metre)
Hopefully this simplified guide to IP ratings will prove useful when trying to decide on what radio to buy. Could do with some advice? Get in touch with our team here and we’ll be happy to help.
