IP68 Testing

How to test a product to verify that it meets an IP67 standard, IP68, IPX7, IPX8?

Are my products IPX7 or IPX8 compliant?

Is my electronic device waterproof?

These questions may arise when you use your devices outdoors or in extreme weather conditions..

The abbreviation IP stands for “Ingress Protection” (we can also find the term “International Protection”). This is a standard established in 1989 by the International Electronic Commission (the). It was then adopted and validated by the European standard EN 60529.

This index indicates the degree of protection of a device against the intrusion of solid bodies and/or liquids. It therefore consists of two digits : the first indicates the degree of protection against the intrusion of solid bodies, while the second indicates the same for liquid bodies.

Solid element protection features (dust, gravel…)

IP3: Protection against solids larger than 12mm

IP4: Protection against solids over 1 mm

IP5: Protection against dust deposits

IP6: Complete dust tightness.

When the first item is not needed, the number is replaced by an "X". This is often the case with devices that are considered waterproof., for which water protection alone is considered sufficient : so, in most of the cases, the first digit is often replaced by an "X".

Water resistance characteristics detailed by IPX level

IPX0 : No special protection – rain or splashes can damage the device.

IPX1 : Protected against falling water (rain). The equivalent of 3 at 5 mm of rain per minute for a duration of 10 minutes.

IPX2 : Protected against rain when tilted 15° in any direction from normal operating position.

IPX3 : Protected against splashing water from above. Apparatus sprayed with water from 0 at 60° on the side to 10 liters per minute at high pressure for at least 5 minutes.

IPX4 : Protected against splashing or splashing water from any angle for a period of time.

IPX5 : Protected against pressurized water jets – Water is projected from all angles through a nozzle of 6,3 mm at a flow rate of 12,5 litres/min at high pressure for 180 seconds at a distance of 3 meters.

IPX6 : Protection against splashing water from any angle – large volumes of water for at least 180 seconds at a distance of 3 meters.

IPX7 : Protection against water immersion. Immersion of at least 30 minute to 1 meter deep. It is from this level of protection that our vacuum grippers will be important.. 1 meter depth corresponds to a pressure difference of -100 mbar relative to the surface.

IPX8 : Protection against immersion in water for more than 30 minutes in at least 2 meters of water. The manufacturer may choose to specify the exact conditions under which the equipment is tested and warranted against failure.. A depth of 2 meters represents a pressure difference of -200 mbar.

Test your products in a vacuum chamber

The vacuum chamber can help you perform these tests automatically and assure your customers that your devices meet these requirements perfectly..

For further, you can test your device at -500 mbar which represents the depression at 5 meters deep to be sure that your device will have no problem during its immersion.

Standards for electrical/electronic devices are often : IP67 or IP68.

With these requirements, you are sure that the device you are buying is not afraid of dust or rapid and shallow immersion in water.

This does not mean that you can go scuba diving with it… the constraints at more than 5m depth are very important but you can use it outdoors even if the weather conditions are not good..

Once the product is in the box and the depression has been carried out, just look if there are bubbles escaping from the product which would induce the presence of a leak and the escape of the air contained in the product.

We have a customer who uses our housings to certify cameras and monitors for outdoor use. These cameras can be installed on construction machinery.

Be careful not to believe that these standards protect you against all types of water.. Salt water, for example, is very corrosive and deteriorates devices much more quickly than fresh water.. These standards are only valid for clear water. Even swimming pool water with chlorine can damage the device, because chemicals like chlorine are very corrosive, the same goes for soapy water like the one you use to do the dishes…

You need IPX7 certification, IPX8, IP67, IP68, do not hesitate to contact us so that we can accompany you in your approach.