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Whether they are being used in automotive or building control systems, smart technology devices need to withstand tough conditions without failing.
Ingress protection acts as a shield, safeguarding these devices against dust, water and other environmental hazards — enabling smart technology to function optimally in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Understanding ingress protection ratings
Ingress protection is defined by the IEC 60529 standard. Ratings consist of two digits: the first digit represents the solid protection, whereas the second digit represents the liquid ingress protection.
These IP ratings are designed to provide a clear standard that quantifies how well your enclosure will resist the intrusion of foreign objects and moisture.
For example, roadside installations, such as an electric vehicle charger, require high liquid ingress protection to handle unpredictable weather conditions.
Common ingress protection ratings include:
First digit: solid protection (dust and object ingress)
| Digit | Protection level | Description |
| 0 | No protection | No protection against solid objects or dust |
| 1 | >50 mm | Protects against large objects (e.g. back of hand) |
| 2 | >12.5 mm | Protects against fingers or similar-sized objects |
| 3 | >2.5 mm | Protects against tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | >1 mm | Protects against most wires, screws, small insects |
| 5 | Dust-protected | Limited dust ingress allowed, but operation is unaffected |
| 6 | Dust-tight | Complete protection against dust |
Second digit: liquid protection (water and moisture ingress)
| Digit | Protection level | Description |
| 0 | No protection | No protection against water |
| 1 | Dripping water | Protects against vertical water drips |
| 2 | Dripping water (tilted) | Protects against water drips when tilted up to 15° |
| 3 | Spraying water | Protects against sprayed water up to 60° from vertical |
| 4 | Splashing water | Protects against water splashing from any direction |
| 5 | Water jets | Protects against low-pressure water jets from any angle |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | Protects against high-pressure jets (e.g. marine use) |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 m | Can be submerged in water up to 1 m for a limited time |
| 8 | Immersion beyond 1 m | Can be submerged continuously under manufacturer conditions |
| 9K | High-pressure, high-temp jets | Protects against high-pressure steam cleaning (common in vehicles & industrial equipment) |
By understanding these ingress protection ratings, you can select the right level of protection for your smart technology product, ensuring reliability and safety regardless of the environment.
Ingress protection considerations for smart technology
When manufacturing electronics for smart technology, it is important to think about where the technology will be used. The requirements for devices used indoors differ significantly from those used outdoors.
Devices intended for indoor use, such as those in modern building control systems or smart home technology, typically encounter less aggressive environmental challenges. Here, the primary concerns involve preventing accidental spills or minor dust intrusion. In these instances, you should opt for moderate ingress protection levels.
Products exposed to the elements — think automotive systems, electric vehicles or electric vehicle charging points — often endure dust, water, temperature extremes and prolonged exposure to UV light. In such cases, a higher ingress protection rating is essential. Enclosures often need to be sealed tightly and may require additional manufacturing techniques, such as the application of conformal coating, to protect sensitive electronic components.
During the design and production phase, it is vital to consider:
These considerations not only enhance product durability but also contribute to overall user safety and operational reliability.
Protect your smart technology with EC Electronics
From ensuring the safety of smart home technology to safeguarding components in electric vehicles and public electric vehicle charging points, proper ingress protection is crucial for operational excellence and durability.
At EC Electronics, we recognise that effective ingress protection is more than just a specification — it is a critical aspect of delivering reliable smart technology solutions.
Our electronics box build service ensures each enclosure is manufactured to provide maximum protection. With meticulous attention to detail, we create enclosures with the highest ingress protection ratings, making them ideal for a wide range of applications, from smart home technology to the demanding needs of the automotive sector.
Additionally, our conformal coating service offers an extra layer of defence, protecting sensitive PCB components from moisture, dust and other environmental contaminants. This method is particularly beneficial for devices that must operate reliably in harsh outdoor conditions, such as electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging points.
With our expert electronics box build and conformal coating services, EC Electronics is uniquely positioned to help you produce products that stand the test of time. Contact us today at +44 (0)1256 461894 or sales@ecelectronics.com to find out how we can support your smart technology project.
