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Everything you need to know about IP code

By Sophia Windsor 2018-07-11 1025 0

The IP code reflects the waterproof and dust-proof level of an electric equipments or electronics, such as mobile phones, smart watches, cameras, headphones, etc.. So understanding the meaning of IP code will be very useful for us to choose a right product that we need.

What is IP code?

"IP code", the abbreviation of "Ingress Protection rating", stands for the protection range of the device. It is mainly followed by 2 numbers to indicate the protection rate. Take "IP N1 N2" as an example (N1 stands for the first number followed by IP, and N2 stands for the second number followed by IP):

The first number (N1) stands for the solid particle protection range of the device or the degree to protect people from the harm in a sealed environment, which is also simply called "dust protection grade". The first number can be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The higher the numerical value is, the higher the protection rate is. So the highest grade of N1 is "6".

The second number (N2) stands for the liquid ingress protection or water-proof range of the device, which is also simply called "water-proof protection level". The second number can be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The higher the numerical value is, the higher the protection rate is. So the highest level of N2 is "8".

6 dust protection grades and their meanings

As we have mentioned above, the dust protection grade (the first number followed by IP) is generally divided into 6 grades. What meanings does each number stand for? Just check them in the following table.

Dust protection grade (the first number followed by IP)

Digit	Effective against	Explanation
0	---	No protection against for people or objects.
1	>50mm	To protect any large surface of the body (such as palm) from accidental contact with internal electrical parts.
2	>12.5mm	To protect the fingers from accidental contact with internal electrical parts.
3	>2.5mm	To prevent the tools, thick wires from accidental contact with internal electrical parts.
4	>1mm	To prevent the most wires, slender screws, etc. from accidental contact with internal electrical parts.
5	Dust-protected	Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it will not affect the normal operation of electrics.
6	Dust tight	Entirely prevents from the dust or other objects entering.

	Xiaomi Mi Band 3 Smart Bracelet - BLACK
	~~$40~~ $33.59	(214)

8 waterproof protection levels and their meanings

The waterproof protection is mainly divided into 8 levels. Let's find out these levels and their meanings.

Water-proof protection level (the second number followed by IP)

Digit	Protection against	Explanation
0	None	No protection of water or moisture.
1	Dripping water	The electronics will not be damaged by the water drop like condensation water.
2	Dripping water on 15° slant	The electronics will not be harmful by dripping water when tilted it at 15-degree.
3	Spraying water	Rain or water falling as a spray at 60-degree or below from vertical shall have no harm effect.
4	Splashing water	All-direction splashing water will not damage to electronics.
5	Water jet	Prevent cause any harm by any direction water jet.
6	Wave	The electronics set on the deck shall have no harm when sea wave attacks.
7	Soaking	Can assure the safety of electronics when they soak under the water in defining conditions of pressure and time (up to 1m of submersion).
8	Be submerged in the water	The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under the certain condition which is decided by the manufacturer.

Have you understood the IP code? Now, I will give you an example to help you further understand it.

Take Xiaomi mi band 2 as an example. The IP code of Xiaomi mi band 2 is IP67. The first number "6" indicates the highest dustproof grade - Entirely prevents from the dust or other objects entering. The second number "7" indicates the soaking waterproof grade - Can assure the safety of electronics when they soak under the water in defining conditions of pressure and time ( up to 1m of submersion). That means you can wear the Mi band 2 when you are washing hands or take a shower.

Besides, some earphones, mobile phones, and action cameras also specify their IP code in the parameter list.