IP or Ingress Protection ratings specify the degree of protection an enclosure offers from solid objects and water. There are two numbers (IPXX) indicating the protection level of the enclosure. The first number indicates protection against solid object ingress, on an ascending scale of 0 to 6, and the second number indicates protection against water ingress, on an ascending scale of 0 to 8.
The IP rating scale is based on the IEC 60529 standard. This standard describes a variety of levels of protection against water and solid objects, assigning each protection level a number on the scale. For a full rundown of how to use the IP rating scale, see Polycase’s complete guide to IP ratings. If you know you need an IP68 enclosure, read on to learn more key facts about this rating.
What Is IP68?
Now it’s time to look at what the IP68 rating means, using the two-digit formula we mentioned earlier. We’ll look at the first digit, which measures particulate and solid resistance, and then the second digit which measures water resistance.
A 6 as the first digit means the enclosure is completely dust-tight. This is the maximum level of dust protection rated under the IP system. With an IP68 enclosure, your device will remain protected even from large amounts of windblown dust and other particulate matter.
An 8 as the second digit means the enclosure is completely watertight, even under conditions of prolonged submersion. An IP68 enclosure will protect your device against splashing water, dripping water, rain, snow, hose spray, submersion and all of the other ways by which water can penetrate a device enclosure.
Make sure to carefully read the details of each IP rating in IEC 60529 and match them with the needs of your project. The differences in, for example, an IP67 vs. IP68 rating are subtle, but they can make a big difference in certain applications.
Post time: Jun-17-2023