IP Ratings, are they important?

Sailing Secure: Understanding IP Ratings for Your Marine Craft Electronics

Unraveling the IP Rating Code

Are IP ratings important? If you’ve been in the market for marine craft electronics or boating accessories, you’ve likely come across an alphabet soup of specifications. Some are easy to decode; we all understand the terms like length, width, and weight. But have you ever seen the term ‘IP Rating’ and wondered what it was all about? It’s time to dock your worries because this blog is here to serve as your personal IP Rating guide.

Your Marine Electronics’ Shield

IP Rating, or Ingress Protection Rating, tells you how resistant an item is to intrusion from dust and water – crucial info when you’re planning to expose your marine electronics to the elements. Designed by the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC’s) Technical Committee 70, the code grades the resilience of electronic enclosures against dust and water. Now, before you think about diving into the depths of IEC 60529 (the original document from 1976) for a light bedtime read, allow us to demystify it for you here. Just remember, the IP Rating is not the same as a waterproof depth rating.

Decoding IP Rating Numbers: No Decoder Ring Needed

Simplicity is the real beauty of IP Ratings. The code is made up of two numbers; the first referring to the protection level against “solid objects”, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6 (full dust protection). The second number is about water protection, and goes from 0 (no protection) to 9 (resistant to high-pressure hot water from different angles). For example, IP67.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet –

Protection against Solids:

• 0 — No protection
• 1 — Protected against solid foreign objects 50mm diameter and greater
• 2 — Protected against solid foreign objects 12.5mm diameter and greater
• 3 — Protected against solid foreign objects 2.5mm diameter and greater
• 4 — Protected against solid foreign objects 1.0mm diameter and greater
• 5 — Dust protected
• 6 — Dust-tight

Protection against Liquids:

• 0 — No protection
• 1 — Protected against vertically falling water drops
• 2 — Protected against vertically falling drops when enclosure tilted up to 15°
• 3 — Protected against spraying water
• 4 — Protected against splashing water
• 5 — Protected against water jets
• 6 — Protected against powerful water jets
• 7 — Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water
• 8 — Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water
• 9 — Protected against high pressure and temperature water jets

And remember, if you ever see an “X” following an IP Rating, it simply means there’s no information available for that particular protection.

The Unsung Heroes of Your Boating Adventures

As you plan your next voyage, consider your marine craft electronics. They may not be the showstoppers of your boat (that’s your impressive captain’s hat, obviously), but they are the unsung heroes keeping your journey smooth and safe. By understanding IP Ratings, you’ll ensure that your gadgets can withstand the unpredictable splashes and dust of the boating life. So, let’s set sail to more informed shopping, mates! For anyone buying a boat in Florida, this blog has everything you need!!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)