The terms “waterproof,” “weather resistant,” “dust protected,” and countless other variations are commonplace. These terms can cause a lot of confusion for the rest of us even though they provide product marketers with a tonne of ways to manipulate their message. Are my weatherproof Bluetooth headphones and my water-resistant phone equally protected from the elements?
There is a way to compare these products using a common rating system. The International Electrotechnical Commission’s “IEC Standard 60529” is the enthralling name of that scale. It is referred to informally by its hip street name: IP rating (or IP code).
what is ipx7 waterproof ? The IPX7 rating—have you heard of it? Have you ever noticed a symbol on the back of your speaker or headphones but weren’t sure what it meant? So, if that’s the case, we suggest reading this article to learn why it’s so crucial. Keep reading even if you already have a basic understanding of IP ratings because you might learn something new and interesting.
The degree of IP protection offered by most modern products varies based on the item’s intended use. To explain to users why IP protection is crucial and how to handle IPX7 devices properly, this article, however, only focuses on IP protection for electronic devices. So let’s get going.
You might have noticed the IP Code rating if you recently bought a waterproof speaker or smartphone. For instance, you might have noticed “IPX7 Waterproof” or “IP65/68” printed on the packaging of a JBL Flip 5 or a Sony Xperia 5 II.
What is an IP rating?
IP, which stands for “Ingress Protection,” gauges how well a device is shielded from both liquids and solid objects. An example of an IP rating would be:
IP57
It has two digits, as you can see. How well the product is protected from solid objects is indicated by the first digit. The second one concerns water resistance. A product is protected better the higher the rating.
Only products that go through specific testing by an accredited, independent company are officially given an IP rating. So, no, a business cannot simply assign its own IP rating to a product just because it wants to.
Who Created the IP Code?
The International Electrotechnical Commission produced the first edition of the code in 1976. (IEC). A non-profit, international organisation, the IEC was established in London in 1906. The IEC now has members from more than 170 nations and 6 offices worldwide. The IEC is the “leading organisation in the world for the preparation and publication of international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies,” according to their website.
The IEC has produced more than 10,000 standards, including the IP Code. It was created to categorise the level of protection offered by the enclosure or casing of electrical equipment with a rated voltage below 72,5 kV. The code also specifies the tests that must be carried out to determine whether an enclosure complies with each grade’s requirements.
What Does IP Stand For and Do We Really Need It?
Even if you purchased that particular device because of its IP protection, if you were reading the specifications list for your device and noticed an IP rating, you are probably wondering what it means.
The term IP, which stands for International Protection or Ingress Protection, refers to the degree of security that your device has against the entry of any solids or liquids that could lead to a malfunction.
Two rating scales—one each for dust and water protection—are part of the IP rating system. This is indicated by two letters or numbers following this well-known acronym, the first of which indicates the degree of dust protection and the second, the degree of protection against fluid intrusion.
In some cases, the third letter—in this case, just a letter—is H, M, S, F, or W, which indicates the existence of less common types of device protection. For instance, H indicates that your device was tested under high voltage conditions, M that it passed some sort of “moving through water” test, S that it can withstand water, W that it was tested under various weather conditions, and F that it is resistant to oil.
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One of the basic requirements when purchasing a new electronic device should be IP protection. In actuality, many devices already have it, but we believe that many people are still unaware of its significance. When used in everyday situations, gadgets like smartwatches, smartphones, headphones, and speakers can become quite fragile.
The weather, raindrops, and other elements are particularly hard on watches and smartphones, but don’t overlook your Bluetooth portable speaker or headphones, which are frequently used outside. You should pay more attention to IP protection if you frequently use them in the woods, by a pool, at the beach, or even in the shower.
We say this because these numbers and letters tell you how to use your device, where to use it, and how to prevent an unintended breakdown.
A BREAKDOWN OF THE IP STANDARD AS IT CONCERNS WATER PROOF AND WATER RESISTANT IS PROVIDED BELOW:
IPX0 – This means it’s not water resistant at all. Think of what happens to paper when it gets wet. It’s a mess and your novella is ruined.
IPX1 – A device will be protected by IPX1 from a few water drops that are falling on it vertically. I suppose it’s possible for this to actually happen, but then again, so is winning the lottery. Sharing is caring if you or someone you know has won the lottery.
IPX2 – When the device is tilted up to and including 15°, IPX2 will shield your thing from some water drops. Sorry, but there are restrictions in the world, so if you have your device set to 16 degrees, you are screwed.
IPX3 – Getting better, you can now spray your gear up to 60° from the top of the device. So that’s cool, I guess.
IPX4 – Now we are getting somewhere. This will keep “yo ish chill” from splashing water from any direction. So if you drop some cubes of ice into you scotch and it splashes, there is no need to worry. Well, except for those drops of scotch that didn’t make it into your tummy.
IPX5 – (this is where the super soaker is allowed). Will protect your stuff from water jets at any direction. Spray away kiddo, spray away.
IPX6 – Protects from powerful water jets. So if you modified your super soaker with an air compressor and an aftermarket tip, your stuff is still safe. In reality, IPX6 is basically waterproof.
Everything after this is now waterproof.
IPX7 – waterproof ipx7 means The metric system is not used in America, so if you accidentally drop your device in water up to 3 feet (1 metre), it won’t work. USA USA USA), your device will continue to function.
IPX8 –You can protect your device in water up to 3 feet deep with IPX8. This is for storing your belongings at the bottom of a lake, pool, or even a really deep public hot tub. Why is there one couple who never leaves the hot tub?
What Does IPX7 Rating Represent?
what is ipx7 ? We assume you are already aware of the IPX7 rating because it is so well-known. It is well-known because it suggests that your device is waterproof ipx7 waterproofing and that it can be fully submerged for up to 30 minutes in water that is 1 metre deep without losing functionality. People frequently misinterpret this information, so let’s uncover some secrets that will increase the lifespan of your device.
Water-resistant/water repellent/hydrophobic/waterproof :
The terms “water-resistant,” “water repellent,” and “hydrophobic” should be used primarily with products made of fabric, such as clothing. When clothing is described as being water-resistant, it means the fabric is so thick that it will take a while before you get wet (although you eventually will).
ipx7 water resistance, Contrarily, the term “water repellent” suggests that the item of clothing has a coating that keeps it from getting wet.
Being hydrophobic is similar, but with a slight quality difference. Products that are hydrophobic are more effective at repelling liquids.
Waterproof refers to a product’s complete defence against moisture entry. It can also be accomplished through coating, which is more frequently used to define the degree of protection for electronic products than other products.
What Does IPX7 Waterproof Mean ?
waterproof rating ipx7, The graphic up top shows what each number on each scale means. Sometimes the degree of protection is untested or unknown. The numeral is replaced by a “X” in these situations.(ipx 7 waterproof)
IPX7 waterproof means a device’s level 7 water sealing, while the degree of dust protection is unknown. Most recent outdoor speaker models have this rating.
How Should You Use Devices with IPX7 Rating ?
All of the headphones, earbuds, speakers, phones, and watches with this level of protection have undergone rigorous testing to determine whether they can withstand submersion in such deep water for such an extended period of time.
To determine the maximum protection value, scientists submerge test devices in water and leave them there for a predetermined amount of time. Only those devices that are supposed to have IPX 7 rating and IPX8 ratings are subjected to these tests.
The device that passes the test is given a label and is categorised as waterproof, allowing you to leave it by a pool or on the beach while you swim. As long as the water is not deeper than 1 metre and you retrieve it within 30 minutes if you drop it unexpectedly into the water, it will survive.
CONCLUSION
Some manufacturers are honest, and they will state that their product has an IPX6/IPX7 rating if it is protected from both splashes and submersions. This is typically not the case, though, as the majority of devices either lack double protection or don’t make mention of it. As a result, if you require more than one level of protection, you should contact the manufacturer and make an effort to obtain all the details.
Additionally, never believe a manufacturer who claims that their product is IPX-7 or IP-67 compliant. Run away from this the moment you see it because IP ratings are never written this way or in any other way than what was already described in this article.
If an electronics device’s packaging or messaging doesn’t include an IP Code, that doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t weatherproof. Only in the past ten years has consumer marketing featured the IP Code prominently.
The IP Code will be very useful if you’re specifically looking for a speaker or smartphone that can withstand exposure to water, dust, and dirt. You can use it to compare the weatherproofing of various models and decide which one is best for you after doing your research. Even though weatherproofing is only one aspect to take into account, it’s important to understand exactly what level of protection a device has before you purchase it.
