Technology's IP rating EXPLAINED!
In the current tech industry, it is uncommon to come across a flagship device that lacks water and dust resistance. This feature, once a novelty, has now become a standard in the market. Even manufacturers who previously avoided IP ratings, such as OnePlus, have integrated it into their top-tier models. It can be expected that this trend will continue in the future, with a majority of upcoming smartphones likely to have some form of protection against water and dust. This is known as the IP rating.
But what does it mean and is the higher the number the better? Technically yes, but there is a logical explanation as to why it has a certain rating. Whilst it might seem like you're trying to crack the Da Vinci code by trying to decipher the various codes, stamps, and labels for water and dust resistance, we're here to simplify that for you.
What Does The IP Rating Mean?
IP ratings typically consist of four characters. The first two characters, I and P, represent Ingress Protection, which measures the effectiveness of preventing foreign matter from entering.
The first digit indicates the level of protection against small solid objects such as dust and sand, with a maximum rating of 6. This can range from no protection to complete dust tightness.
The second digit reflects the resistance to liquids or water, with a maximum rating of 9. This ranges from no protection to resistance against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets.
So to put this into practice for you, if a phone had an IP69 rating then it has the best protection from water and dust. If it had an IP11 rating, then that phone is very aquaphobic.
Below it is decrypted for you!
- IP = Ingress Protection
- 6 = Dust Tight
- 8 = Survives being submerged in water
My Device Has Two IP Ratings, What Does That Mean?
In a few cases, phones may have two IP ratings, which is quite reasonable. For example, a phone may have an IP69 rating for complete protection against water submersion, but an IP68 rating for protection against rain. This helps to avoid false claims about the phone's overall water protection.
Technically, the water resistance of a device is tested using a 6.3mm nozzle to project water. In practical terms, it means the device can withstand rain or a shower, but it's not recommended to expose it to a pressure washer, not that you would...would you?
Why Does My Devices IP Rating Feature An "X"?
Ah yes, a bit of a spanner in the works, but don't worry, we can explain this one to you too! The X in the IP rating can sometimes confuse, but it's a common feature in devices such as the first-generation Apple Watch, some Garmin cameras and wearables.
In some rare cases, this can even include some phones. It indicates that the device has not been certified for protection against dust, but it doesn't mean that it isn't resistant to dust. It just means that there has not been any testing so it's up to you to determine the outcome.
My Device Doesn't Have An IP Rating But Rather An ATM Rating?
While some smartwatches may have an IP rating, waterproof capabilities are more commonly indicated by an ATM, especially for watches designed for sports or outdoor activities. ATM stands for atmospheres and reflects the pressure resistance of a device, or in other words, how deep it can be taken underwater.
ATM is typically used for devices designed to be used underwater and usually represents a certain depth. For example, 1 ATM is equivalent to 10 meters, 5 ATM is equivalent to 50 meters, and 10 ATM is equivalent to 100 meters. The Apple Watch, for example, has a water resistance of 50 meters, making it suitable for tracking swimming.
How Do Companies Achieve Water Resistance?
A popular method is something called nano-coating. This is a thin film applied to the internal components of a device at a microscopic level to repel water and protect against potential damage from moisture.
P2i, a UK-based company, is one of the top providers of water-repellent nano-coating to phone manufacturers. They use a pulse plasma deposition process to apply a water-resistant coating to the devices. This coating is incredibly thin and works by reducing the surface tension of water, causing it to form droplets and roll off the surface.
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