When purchasing speakers or other electronic products, you may see waterproof, water-resistant, dustproof, weatherproof, snowproof, shockproof, and many other versions printed on the packaging. Still, you may be unsure of what these terms truly represent. Before purchasing any waterproof goods, make sure you understand what IPX waterproof rating means.
Listed here are detailed descriptions of all IPX waterproof ratings, including IPX0, IPX1, IPX2, IPX3, IPX4, IPX5, IPX6, IPX7, and IPX8, among others.
What is the IPX WaterProof Rating?
IPX is an abbreviation for “Ingress Protection,” which measures a device’s resistance to ingress from solids and liquid items.
IP ratings are typically measured in increments of IPX0-IPX8. Where “IP” indicates an international protection code, “X” indicates that it protects solid objects. The fourth number indicates that it protects from liquids such as water.
The IPX8 designation, for example, indicates that the gadget is entirely waterproof and can be fully immersed in water, but it has not been tested for solid objects. X denotes that the item has not been tested.
The IP rating of a product is not awarded by the manufacturer of the product but rather by an outside accredited business after the product has been tested.
Why it is important to know IPX Rating?
The IPX rating of a gadget determines where that may use it. Consider the following scenario: If you purchase a speaker for indoor usage, you may not need to know the IPX rating since the speaker will not be exposed to water or dust in your house.
However, if you are purchasing a speaker for outdoor activities, you should be aware that you may sometimes get caught in the rain, go to beaches, swim in pools, or wherever there is a risk of exposure to water and dust, you should avoid it.
Before you purchase any goods, such as a portable Bluetooth speaker, consider where you want to use it first. Which IPX-rated speaker is the most appropriate for your needs? Do you need an IPX8 waterproof speaker or just an IPX5 waterproof speaker? When you understand how much protection each IPX grade provides, you will be better able to choose the most appropriate speaker for your needs. For this reason, understanding the IPX rating is critical before purchasing any waterproof goods.
IPX Waterproof Ratings From IPX0-IPX8
Devices evaluated for liquid resistance (waterproofing) are awarded scores ranging from 0 to 8 based on their resistance level. The solid rating is denoted by an “X” in the place of the solid rating if they have not been tested for solids (dustproof). In this context, “X” never denotes “zero” dust protection but rather denotes that the product has not yet been evaluated.
IPX Waterproof Rating Chart
IPXX Rating
If you come across anything that looks like this: “IPXX,” it signifies that this gadget has not been tested for liquid protection or solid protection, respectively.
IPX0 Rating
When a gadget is given an IPX0 rating, it signifies that it has not been tested for solid objects and offers no protection against liquids, primarily water. This rating is not often seen on any gadget with no protection. If your device does not have an IPX0 rating or does not have an IPX0 rating, you must keep it away from water since even a little amount of water may cause harm to such devices. These gadgets are mostly intended for usage inside.
IPX1 Rating
An IPX1 certification indicates that this gadget has not been tested for solid objects and can withstand vertically falling water. Such gadgets are in danger of being damaged if they are exposed to water from any direction.
IPX2 Rating
Although not tested for solid items, it can withstand water dropping at an angle of up to 15°. Such a device can withstand water coming from all sides, but the angle at which the water is falling should not be larger than 15°; otherwise, that will ruin it.
IPX3 Rating
Although not tested for solids, it is water-resistant up to a maximum temperature of 60°. The protection provided by IPX2 is true; however, it is not capable of withstanding water sprays from every direction.
IPX4 Rating
When given this grade, devices can withstand water sprays coming from all angles. There is no restriction on the angle. However, solids have not been tested.
IPX5 Rating
Devices having an IPX5 certification are capable of withstanding water sprays of low pressure. Solids, on the other hand, have not been tested. When such devices are subjected to low-pressure circumstances, such as rain, they will not be damaged in any way. Because they are not waterproof, such devices are harmed if subjected to high-pressure water.
IPX6 Rating
All devices with an IPX6 grade can withstand heavy water pressure, but they cannot be immersed in water. These devices may be used in any environment where water exposure is conceivable, but there is no risk of being completely submerged in the water. Solids are not tested for in these products.
IPX7 Rating
As the name implies, devices with an IPX7 certification are waterproof rather than water-resistant. These gadgets can be immersed in water up to a depth of one meter for a total of 30 minutes. These are completely safe to use in any environment. When these gadgets become filthy, you can wash them in water, and they will be as good as new. These, on the other hand, are not tested for solid items. For further information, see the IPX7 Waterproof Rating Guide in full.
IPX8 Rating
This is the highest grade that can give to fully waterproof products. Devices with an IPX8 certification may be immersed in water for longer and greater depth than one meter. The manufacturer determines the precise depth and duration of the treatment. Solids are not tested for in these products.
These are ten ratings granted to items that have been evaluated for protection against liquids (water) exclusively, rather than against solid particles such as dust.
IPX Dustproof Ratings From IP0X-IP6X
Devices that have only been tested for solids and have not been tested for liquids are classed as IP0X, IP1X, IP2X, IP3X, IP4X, IP5X, and IP6X, where “X” indicates that the device has not been tested for liquids. While the letter “X” never indicates “zero” protection, the manufacturer has not yet been subjected to testing for this purpose.
Dustproof IP Rating Chart
IP0X Rating
There is no protection against any solid item. Even larger things have the potential to enter and cause harm. When it comes to the safety of such items, extreme caution is required. These have not been tested for the presence of liquids or water.
IP1X Rating
Ingress protection for devices with IP1X ratings is provided against items that are bigger than 50mm or 5cm in diameter. It is one of those devices where your hand may or may not be able to get inside, but your fingers may be able to do so. There has been no testing for liquids.
IP2X Rating
Protection against solid objects more than 12.5mm or 1.25cm in size is provided by devices with an IP2X classification. As far as I can tell, your ring finger matches mine in size; therefore, it will fit in there without any problems. There is no testing for liquid resistance on them.
IP3X Rating
Generally, this device protects solid items greater than 2.5mm (0.25cm) in diameter. This site has a large number of little tools and wires. Water resistance has not been tested.
IP4X Rating
Protection against solid items with a diameter greater than 1mm or 0.1cm. Despite its modest size, that might destroy the gadget is used in regions where there is a lot of dirt. There has been no testing for water resistance.
IP5X Rating
Devices having an IP5X designation are regarded as dust resistant, and they are capable of withstanding a significant amount of dust. However, they are not completely dustproof, and some dust may still find its way inside the device and cause harm. These are not subjected to any liquid resistance testing.
IP6X Rating
When a product is dustproof, it receives this maximum grade. No dust may get into them from any direction and cause harm to the equipment. You are free to use these items anywhere you like, even if there is a lot of dust around. Water resistance has not been tested.
Products that have completed solid resistance testing but not liquid resistance testing received an average of almost seven stars out of a possible ten stars.
IP Waterproof & Dustproof Rating
The IP Ratings for devices that have been tested for both solid and liquid resistance are as follows: IP00, IP01, IP02, IP03, IP04, IP05, IP06, IP07, IP08, IP10, IP11, IP12, IP13, IP14, IP15, IP16, IP17, IP18, IP20, IP21, IP22, IP23, IP24, IP25, IP26, IP27, IP28, IP30, IP31, IP32, IP33,IP34, IP35, IP36, IP37, IP38, IP40, IP41, IP42, IP43, IP44, IP45, IP46, IP47, IP48, IP50, IP51, IP52, IP53, IP54, IP55, IP56, IP57, IP58, IP60, IP61, IP62, IP63, IP64, IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68.
Here’s a list of every potential rating that may give to a product after it has been tested for both solid and liquid resistance. However, you will not find all of them in the product’s description, but you will discover a number of them.
This is because some of these are just not conceivable. For example, in the case of an IP08 device, this is not a valid designation. IP08 indicates that this item is completely waterproof; nevertheless, solid resistance is zero, making it impossible to use.
That is why we don’t have to detail all IP ratings. Only a handful of them are often utilized, and we’ll go through them in more detail below.
IP01 Rating
Protection against solids is not provided; nevertheless, protection against water falling vertically on the device is provided.
IP03 Rating
Water-resistant devices with an IP03 rating do not protect solids but are resistant to a 60-degree angle of the waterfall.
IP10 Rating
Protection against solid items larger than 50mm in diameter, but no protection against water.
IP12 Rating
Protection against items greater than 50mm in diameter and water falling at an angle of no more than 15°.
IP20 Rating
Protection against particles larger than 12.5 mm in diameter, but no water resistance at all.
IP21 Rating
Protection against materials larger than 12.5 mm in diameter and water falling vertically on the device is provided.
IP22 Rating
Protection against materials larger than 12.5 mm in diameter and water at a maximum angle of 15°.
IP23 Rating
Protection against particles larger than 12.5 mm in diameter and water at an angle of up to 60°.
IP24 Rating
Solids larger than 12.5 mm in diameter and water splashes are protected.
IP30 Rating
Solids greater than 2.5mm in diameter are not protected, and water is not protected.
IP31 Rating
Protection against particles greater than 2.5mm in size and water falling vertically at the product.
IP32 Rating
Protection against particles bigger than 2.5mm in size and water-dropping at an angle of fewer than 15 degrees.
IP33 Rating
Protection against particles bigger than 2.5mm in diameter and water falling at a maximum 60° angle is provided.
IP34 Rating
Solids bigger than 2.5mm in diameter and water splashes are protected.
IP40 Rating
Solid things larger than 1mm are completely protected; this product completely unprotects water.
IP41 Rating
Solid items larger than 1mm in diameter are completely protected, as waterfalls vertically on the device from any direction.
IP42 Rating
Solid items larger than 1mm and water falling at an angle of 15° or less are completely protected by this product.
IP43 Rating
Provides total protection against solid objects larger than 1mm in size and water coming at an angle of less than 60°.
IP44 Rating
This product offers total protection against solid items larger than 1mm in size as well as water splashes.
IP45 Rating
This product offers total protection against solid items larger than 1mm in size and low-pressure water jets.
IP46 Rating
This product offers total protection against solid items larger than 1mm in size and high-pressure water jets.
IP50 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust has the potential to enter the product and cause harm. There is no water resistance.
IP51 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust has the potential to enter the product and cause harm. The device’s resistance to vertically falling water is measured in millimeters.
IP52 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust can potentially enter the product and cause harm—Water-resistance when water is falling at a 15-degree angle.
IP53 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust can potentially enter the product and cause harm—protection against water that is up to a 60-degree angle of falling.
IP54 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust has the potential to enter the product and cause harm. Water splashes are kept at bay using this product.
IP55 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust has the potential to enter the product and cause harm. Water pressure is protected from being too low.
IP56 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust has the potential to enter the product and cause harm. Protection against the effects of high-pressure water
IP57 Rating
A decent dust-resistant product, but not a dustproof product. Even so, the dust has the potential to enter the product and cause harm. For 30 minutes, it may be submerged in water up to one meter deep.
IP63 Rating
Completely dustproof. You may use it wherever you want without worrying about dust getting inside and ruining the goods. Water falling at an angle of 60° encounters less resistance.
IP64 Rating
Completely dustproof. You may use it wherever you want without worrying about dust getting inside and ruining the goods. It can withstand a few sprays of water.
IP65 Rating
Completely dustproof. You may use it wherever you want without worrying about dust getting inside and ruining the goods—water pressure protection against low water pressure. Continue reading to learn more about the IP65 Waterproof Rating.
IP66 Rating
Completely dustproof. You may use it wherever you want without worrying about dust getting inside and ruining the goods. Water pressure is not a problem with this product.
IP67 Rating
Completely dustproof. You may use it wherever you want without worrying about dust getting inside and ruining the goods. Waterproof It is possible to remain entirely immersed in water at a depth of one meter for 30 minutes.
IP68 Rating
Completely dustproof. You may use it wherever you want without worrying about dust getting inside and ruining the goods. Fully submerged in water for 30 minutes at a time, it is completely impenetrable and to a higher depth than before. The manufacturer specifies the exact time and depth of the water.
What if a product has no IP Rating?
IP ratings are not available for all goods. This is because not all items must be water-resistant or dust-resistant. It is only on those items where these characteristics are needed or are included as an optional feature that an IP rating is assigned. The IP rating of many outdoor lighting, torches, and portable speakers, for example, is a common feature of these devices.
Before an IP rating may be granted to a product, the product maker must submit the product to product testing. Depending on the situation, the manufacturer may choose to do waterproof testing, dustproof testing, or both.
The IP rating will not be accessible if the manufacturer chooses to submit another testing or certification instead.
