IP Rating - What does it mean?

IP Rating refers to Ingress Protection, a term which indicates how well an enclosure is protected from penetration by contaminants such as dust or water. Check out this handy diagram:




In the IP Ratings Guide above, the first column indicates the degree of protection against solids, and the second column indicates protection against water. In the example at bottom, the IP stands for Ingress Protection, and the 6 refers to the degree of protection against solids in column 1, while the 5 refers to the degree of protection against water in column 2. In this case, the equipment is completely protected against dust for two to eight hours, and it is protected against jets of water.

Summit Measurement offers several products with Ingress Protection.

Most of the wireless Straightpoint products are IP67, meaning they are completely dust tight and they can be submerged in 10 feet of water for 10 minutes. They use a separate internal sealed enclosure providing the load cell's electronic components with IP67/NEMA6 Environmental protection even with the battery plate missing, making the Dynamometer suitable for use in even the harshest environments and weather conditions. Some Straightpoint products such as the Miniweigher Plus are IP65, meaning they are dust tight, but protected from only jets of water, not submersion.

An IP Rating of IP68 indicates protection against the effects of immersion in water under pressure for long periods. This protection is usually required in the food service industry, and can be found in the PS2-530K Ultra Washdown Kitchen Scale offered by Summit Measurement.

If you require IP Protection, always check the product Specifications before purchasing. Summit Measurement products which offer IP Ratings will be indicated in the product description or the Specifications. If you have any questions, just give us a call!