A Guide to IP Ratings on Connectors

This week’s blog post is all about IP ratings on Connectors and the differences between the standards.

So what are IP ratings and what do they mean?  Well the simple answer is it is the amount the connector / product can get wet.

For example, if you are designing a product like a industrial computer it is unlikely to go anywhere near water so this is not an issue for you. However, if you are designing a product that is going to be outside it needs to be able to withstand water ingress.

At the other end of the scale if you are deigning products for under water you need to know that zero water can get in to the delicate electronics inside.  Connector inputs are one of the weakest points for water ingress.

Here are the most common IP Rating types:

IP 61    Protection from dripping water
IP 62    Protection from vertically dripping water (tilted up to 15°)
IP 63    Protection from sprayed water (tilted up to 60°)
IP 64    Protection from splashed water
IP 65    Protection from water projected from a nozzle
IP 66    Protection against heavy seas, or powerful jets of water.
IP 67    Protection against immersion
IP 68    Protection against complete, continuous submersion in water.
IP 69K    Protection against the ingress of water form all directions even under greatly high pressure on the housing. (High-pressure/steam cleaner, 80-100 bar)

The following images show the basic differences in IP ratings:

I know this is only a basic overview however, it should give you a better understanding of how the ratings work and what you need to know when designing new products.

If in doubt then always ask the experts that’s what we are all here for!