What Does IPX7 Waterproof Mean?

You may have your eyes on a cool new pair of earbuds or outdoor speakers. Here’s where you’d use the IP rating system to evaluate the quality of a given device. You’ll want to take a closer look at the IP rating.

Let’s assume that you’re considering a device, and it’s rated as IPX7 waterproof. Already, we know the device has not been tested for resistance against particulates, as indicated by the X. However, it has a waterproof rating of 7, but what does that mean?

Again, devices can have a moisture resistance rating ranging from 1 to 9. For example, an IPX1 rated device can withstand vertical falling water droplets for about 10 minutes.

This amount of moisture is equivalent to light rainfall, or 3/64” per minute of rain. An IPX1 rated device is water resistant.

The Ingress Protection Rating System: What You Need to Know

Today, high-quality electronics require a considerable investment.

Accordingly, you’ll want the best value for your hard-earned money. By understanding the ingress protection rating system, you can find the right electronics to meet your needs.

Today, mobile technology enables you to access email and other important data anywhere and anytime. We’ve become so accustomed to electronic products that we even take them into the restroom.

Unfortunately, nearly half of all smartphone owners have dropped their devices in water in the restroom. Furthermore, 20% of that group lost their mobile contacts during the incident.

Standard insurance plans don’t cover water damage. However, manufacturers understand that they must meet consumer’s needs. Also, researchers continually search for ways to make technology more water-resistant.

Fortunately, one of the needs that researchers and manufacturers address is making devices more resilient to dust and moisture. The ingress protection system standardizes just how much protection manufacturers provide.

To learn more about the meaning of IPX7 waterproof and the ingress protection rating system, keep reading.

Is Waterproof Tech the Wave Of the Future?

Years ago, companies such as Hz0, Liquipel and P2i developed waterproof nanocoatings. These coatings protect both the inside and outside of the devices

Manufacturers waterproof devices by placing them in a vacuum chamber. The chamber will expose a waterproofing polymer to the devices.

All waterproofing companies use a proprietary polymer. The polymer bonds to device surfaces and internal components on a molecular level.

However, you’ll never know that the nanocoating is there. It’s 1,000 times thinner than human hair.

Resultantly, it doesn’t affect the look and feel of devices. More importantly, nanocoatings don’t affect how electronic devices and components work.

Year after year, these devices are on display at major shows such as CES as well as online. Resultantly, you can easily observe smartphones playing music while fully submerged underwater.

Waterproofing companies work with major manufacturers to build waterproofing directly into the production process. Today, consumers spend hundreds of billions of dollars on these water resistant and waterproof devices.

Technology is becoming increasingly ingrained into our lives. As it becomes increasingly important, waterproofing is a must-have feature for many kinds of electronic devices.

What Is an IP Rating?

The Ingress Protection code rating system is internationally recognized. The code was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

It highlights the degree of protection that enclosures provide against foreign objects and moisture. The ratings help consumers select devices that can withstand their lifestyles. More importantly, IP ratings help people to avoid personal injury.

Manufacturers apply IP codes to a range of devices. The higher the numeric rating, the higher level of protection that a device offers.

When selecting an electronic device by IP rating, it’s important to fully understand how you might subject a device to moisture. For example, a device might come in contact with a light mist coming off of your showerhead. Alternatively, it could fall into the water if you spend lots of time around a lake.

In the case of mist coming off a shower, vapor will inevitably settle on your device if you take it into the restroom frequently while showering. In that case, you’ll want to select a rating that suggests a device is safe from splashing water or low-pressure jets. Accordingly, you’ll want a device with a rating of at least IPX5.

The Ingress Protection Rating System

IP protection is based on a two-digit system. The system determines how resistant a device is in a given environment. The two numbers have specific meanings.

The first number expresses how well a device is protected from solid objects and particulates. The second number indicates a device’s resistance to moisture.

A high IP rating legitimizes a device. In other words, it allows manufacturers to confidently make claims about protection levels.

A high rating also gives users reassurance that they’ll enjoy a certain level of protection and safety. Resultantly, consumers can worry less about harming their devices or themselves.

Particles and moisture can cause a range of problems. Devices that experience these elements can have a shorter lifespan. In other cases, they can cease to function.

By understanding the IP rating system, you can pick the right kind of electronic device for your needs. To begin, it helps to understand the two-digit rating system.

Understanding IP Rating Numbers

The first digit of the IP protection system indicates dust protection. You might see a value of 1 to 6 used for the first digit.

When foreign matter such as dust enters a device, this event is called ingress. As the rating number increases, a device’s ability to prevent foreign object ingress also increases.

Imagine a device with a rating of IP2X. This kind of device can withstand particles of up to 12.5 mm or larger in size.

However, a device with a rating of IP6X is dust-tight. Meanwhile, the “X” in the rating means that the device has not been tested for moisture.

The second digit of the IP rating system follows the same format. However, the rating can range from 1 to 9. As the second digit increases, the amount of liquid ingress protection increases.

For instance, a device with an IPX4 rating can withstand a continuous spray of water for five minutes. During testing, researchers spray water at devices using specific angles, pressures and volumes.

IP rating evaluation is a rigorous and uniform procedure. This practice ensures standardization at testing facilities around the world.

Finally, you might see a letter after the two-digit code. The extra letter provides supplementary information. For example, a K after a rating indicates that a device is safe from high temperatures and strong water jets.

What Does IPX7 Waterproof Mean?

You may have your eyes on a cool new pair of earbuds or outdoor speakers. Here’s where you’d use the IP rating system to evaluate the quality of a given device. You’ll want to take a closer look at the IP rating.

Let’s assume that you’re considering a device, and it’s rated as IPX7 waterproof. Already, we know the device has not been tested for resistance against particulates, as indicated by the X. However, it has a waterproof rating of 7, but what does that mean?

Again, devices can have a moisture resistance rating ranging from 1 to 9. For example, an IPX1 rated device can withstand vertical falling water droplets for about 10 minutes.

This amount of moisture is equivalent to light rainfall, or 3/64” per minute of rain. An IPX1 rated device is water resistant.

A Closer Look At IP Ratings

Let’s skip to the IPX 3 rating. Here, a device can withstand a little over 13 gallons of water sprayed over the course of five minutes.

The rating system starts to get interesting at IPX4. This rating applies to most outdoor speakers and earbuds.

These devices are typically considered splashproof. An IPX4 device can resist splashes of water from any direction. Meanwhile, an IPX6 device can withstand strong water jets.

The rating system crosses another threshold at IPX7. Here, devices make the leap from water resistant to waterproof.

An IPX7 device can withstand submersion in water. They’ll last for about 30 minutes in water up to 3 feet deep.

Meanwhile, an IPX8 device can withstand submersion in water more than 3 feet deep. There’s no standard time that an IPX8 device can withstand submersion. However, it’s typically longer compared to an IPX7 device.

Finally, an IPX9 device can withstand powerful water jets from a close distance as well as high temperatures. You’ll rarely see this rating used for consumer electronics. However, a car part that must survive a carwash may have an IPX9 rating.

Investing In IP Rated Electronics

With an understanding of the IP rating system, it’s a bit easier to choose the right devices. If you need a pair of earbuds for the gym, for example, you’ll want to choose a set with a rating of at least IPX4.

Some manufacturers label their products as “sweat-resistant.” However, there’s no such rating. Sweat-resistant means that a device is at least IPX4 splashproof certified.

If you want the best protection possible in a device, you’ll want to look for an IPX7 rating. However, it’s important to understand that this rating doesn’t mean that a device will float. Flotation is a completely different characteristic.

More importantly, you’ll want to look at IP ratings closely. Specifically, you’ll want to look for a hyphen between IP or IPX and the number.

If you see a hyphen, the rating is fake. For instance, if you see an electronic device rated as IPX-7 or IP-68, you shouldn’t trust the manufacturer.

Armed with this information, you can make a better-informed decision about your next shiny new electronic device.

Stay On Top Of the Latest In IP Rated Tech!

Now you know more about the meaning of IPX7 waterproof and the ingress protection rating system. The IP rating system applies to electronic products ranging from smartphones to digital cameras.

Fortunately, a good IP rating doesn’t increase the cost of a device considerably. However, it does make it much more durable.

Manufacturers are continually improving their products. Researchers are even looking for ways to make internal electronic components impervious to moisture.

If you’re a fan of technology, you’ll want to stay on top of it all. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place to do just that.

Check out our blog for more of the latest news about IP-rated tech.