{"id":7725,"date":"2024-01-18T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spo-comm.sandboxsite.de\/good-to-know-what-are-ip-protection-classes\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T10:44:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T08:44:56","slug":"good-to-know-what-are-ip-protection-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/good-to-know-what-are-ip-protection-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"IP protection classes &#8211; differences and applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We encounter countless electronic devices in modern industry and in everyday life. Whether controllers in production, outdoor lighting or robust mini PCs for the control cabinet &#8211; they all have to function reliably, even under demanding conditions. This is exactly where <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">IP protection classes<\/span> come into play. They indicate how well a device is protected against the ingress of <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">dust, dirt and water<\/span>.   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does IP mean?<\/h2>\n\n<p>The letters &#8220;IP&#8221; in the IP protection class stand for &#8220;Ingress Protection&#8221; or &#8220;International Protection&#8221;.  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Ingress Protection<\/span> describes the degree of protection of a device against the ingress of foreign bodies and liquids.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">International Protection<\/span> indicates that these types of protection are defined worldwide according to standards (IEC 60529).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p>The IP classification ensures that manufacturers and users can objectively compare the resistance of devices, regardless of brand and model.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Structure of the IP protection class<\/h2>\n\n<p>It consists of two digits:<\/p>\n\n<p>First digit (0-6) &#8211; Protection against solid foreign bodies: dust, dirt, contact.<br\/>Second digit (0-9K) &#8211; Protection against water: dripping water, splashing water, water jets or submersion.<\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">For example: IP65<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p>6 = dust-tight ; 5 = protection against water jets from all directions<\/p>\n\n<p>This combination indicates that the device is both fully protected against dust and resistant to water jets that hit the device from any direction.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protection against solid foreign bodies (first digit)<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Digit<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Protection class<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>0<\/td><td>No protection<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Protection against solid foreign objects &gt;50 mm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Protection against solid foreign objects &gt;12.5 mm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Protection against solid foreign bodies &gt;2.5 mm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Protection against solid foreign bodies &gt;1 mm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Dust-protected (limited ingress possible)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>Dustproof<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"18513\" src=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_6-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"RUGGED tablets with IP protection classes\" class=\"wp-image-18513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_6-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_6-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_6-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"18515\" src=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_7-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"RUGGED tablets with IP protection classes\" class=\"wp-image-18515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_7-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_7-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_7-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_7-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"18517\" src=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_9-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"RUGGED tablets with IP protection classes\" class=\"wp-image-18517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_9-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_9-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RUGGED_Tab_9-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protection against water (second digit)<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Digit<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Protection class<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>0<\/td><td>No protection<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Drip water protected<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Protection against dripping water falling at an angle<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Protection against water spray<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Protection against splashing water from all directions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Protection against water jets<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>Protection against strong water jets<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>Protection against temporary submersion<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>Protection against permanent submersion<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9K<\/td><td>Protection against high-pressure\/steam jet cleaning<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Typical applications of IP protection classes<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>IP20: For dry indoor areas such as offices or server rooms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IP44: Suitable for workshops or bathrooms, protection against splashing water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IP65: Ideal for outdoor areas, warehouses and industrial production environments as it resists dust and water jets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IP68: For underwater devices or applications with permanent exposure to liquids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p>The correct selection of the IP protection class ensures that devices function reliably under the respective environmental conditions and that the failure rate is minimized. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denios.de\/beratung-planung\/denios-magazin\/ip-schutzklassen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Denios <\/a>has explained the applications for IP protection classes in more detail in an article.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why IP protection classes are important<\/h2>\n\n<p>The IP classification is not just a marketing label &#8211; it is a decisive criterion when selecting devices:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Durability:<\/span> <br\/>Devices that cannot withstand environmental stress wear out more quickly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Safety:<br\/><\/span>Electrical devices that are damaged by water or dust can cause short circuits or failures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Planning security:<\/span><br\/>IP classes enable an objective selection of devices for specific areas of application, whether in industry, outdoors or in medical facilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IP protection classes for industrial PCs and control cabinet PCs<\/h2>\n\n<p>IP protection is particularly important in industry:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Control cabinet PCs are often operated in harsh environments where dust, vibrations or splash water occur.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Robust enclosures, often with DIN rail mounting, reliably protect electronics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IP65 or higher is common for devices that are used directly in production lines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>This enables companies to ensure that their control systems, machine PCs or industrial tablets work permanently and reliably &#8211; without the devices being damaged by external influences.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion and spo-comm products with IP protection classes<\/h2>\n\n<p>IP protection classes provide a <strong>clear, standardized indication<\/strong> of how well a device is protected against dust and water. Whether for private, commercial or industrial use &#8211; choosing the right IP class is crucial for the safety, reliability and service life of electronic devices. Particularly in areas such as industrial PCs, control cabinet PCs or outdoor applications, users should always pay attention to the right protection class in order to avoid expensive failures.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Keywords such as IP protection class are no longer a rarity in our product portfolio either; the <a href=\"\/produkte\/alle-mini-pcs\/square-18\">SQUARE 18<\/a>, <a href=\"\/produkte\/alle-mini-pcs\/square-21\">SQUARE 21<\/a> and our <a href=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/tablet-panel-pcs\/tablet-pcs\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"10650\">RUGGED tablets<\/a>, for example, are IP 65 dust and water-protected. In addition, some RUGGED tablets are even MIL-STD-810G certified.  This certification is a US military standard that defines the suitability of equipment for use in military applications.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/rugged-tablets\/\">DISCOVER THE SPO-COMM RUGGED TABLETS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Electronic devices not only have to be powerful, they also have to withstand the environmental conditions. An often overlooked but important aspect here is the IP protection rating. We take a closer look at the significance of IP protection classes and explain why they are crucial for the longevity and functionality of electronic devices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-know-how"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7725"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18610,"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7725\/revisions\/18610"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spo-comm.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}