If you need a device that is designed to operate in consistently and reliably harsh or demanding environments, you need to understand IP ratings. Keeping the outside out and the inside in is paramount when it comes to protecting durable/rugged devices in the fleet.
This doesn’t just include the obviously demanding environments, like defense, agriculture, construction, or mining applications – every fleet can benefit from appropriately selected ruggedized IoT devices.
This guide will provide an overview of what IP ratings are, how they’re classified, key questions to ask during device selection, and how understanding IP ratings can greatly benefit your fleet.
At Morey, we believe working together produces better results. Discover what a partner in IoT can do for you and your business – schedule a demo with our team today.
Understanding IP Ratings
Ingress protection ratings are a system used to classify the degree of protection that an enclosure receives against solids and liquids, such as dust, dirt, water, and oil.
IP ratings are critical for fleet managers in the automotive, construction, and industrial spaces to protect the critical electronic devices used in fleet vehicles and other equipment. Rugged environments call for ruggedized IoT. A properly protected device reduces failed devices, downtime, cost of maintenance and repair, and can increase productivity.
IP ratings consist of two digits, preceded by the letters IP. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects and the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids and moisture. A final optional letter, K, can be added at the end to indicate protection against pressure.
The first digit ranges from 0 to 6 and represents the level of protection against solid objects such as dust, dirt, vermin, and curious hands. 0 indicates there is no protection and 6 indicates there is complete protection from solids. A rating of 6 is considered “dust tight”.
The second digit ranges from 0 to 9 and represents the level of protection against liquids. 0 indicates there is no protection against liquids, and 9 indicates that it provides complete protection, even from water jets.
For example, a rating of IP60 indicates that the device is fully protected from dust and provides no protection from liquids. A rating of IP64 indicates that the device is fully protected from dust and protected from water spray in any direction.
IP Ratings for Automotive, Construction, and Industrial IoT
Does your device need to be dust-tight or withstand immersion in water? Does it need to withstand the abuse of harsh and extreme environmental conditions?
If you’re a fleet manager in the automotive, construction, or industrial IoT spaces, careful consideration must be made of your environment to select the appropriate IP rating.
You could, of course, always choose the highest rating and call it a day, however, the cost will likely increase substantially. The best course of action is to ask yourself a few critical questions to guide your decision-making:
- Does the device need to be water-tight or waterproof, like the Eye Beacon from Morey?
- Is the device exposed to harsh or extreme weather conditions? Perhaps a multifunctional device such as the Eye Sensor will fit your fleet’s needs.
- Is the device exposed to harsh chemicals?
- Do you require an extended life span with discreet and flexible mounting, as the Slap-N-Track offers?
- Are there budget restraints?
- Are there regulatory requirements for your industry?
After answering these questions, you may find that your use case does not require the highest IP rating after all. A lower rating may fit the necessary environmental requirements while also being cost-effective.
Smarter Connection for your Entire Enterprise
No matter your industry, your fleet deserves the best. By understanding and prioritizing IP ratings, fleet managers can make the best decisions in protecting their electronic devices used in fleet vehicles and other equipment. An adequately protected device can do many great things for your business, like increase productivity, reduce costs, and prevent downtime.
At Morey, we understand the necessity of ruggedized IoT devices in various industries, and we offer a wide range of solutions to fit your needs. Contact us today to schedule a demo and discover how we can help you achieve a smarter connection for your entire enterprise.