What is an IP Rating and Why is it Important?
In the development of radio remote control technology there is no shortage of technical jargon that gets thrown around. From physical internal elements like circuit boards and sensors to intangible components like radio frequency and communication protocols, technical language is thrown at you from every direction.
Some of these intangible features are manually built into Aarcomm’s remote control systems during production, while others come as a result of our expert product designers. One of these intangible features is our device’s IP ratings, which is listed in the specifications of each Aarcomm product. For example, the robust and cutting-edge TridentX remote comes with an IP rating of IP67!
But what does this rating actually mean and how does it give Aarcomm an advantage over other industrial remote control manufacturers?
What is an IP Rating?
Any electronic device used within demanding service industries are required to meet certain standards and must go through certain processes to be released for public use. When it comes to the Trident & TridentX handhelds, one of the most important specifications is it’s IP rating, also known as it’s IP code.
The “IP” stands for Ingress Protection Code and is a numbered system that classifies and grades the degree of protection provided by a device’s mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against a variety of types of debris and dust, intrusion, and also water. This classification system is a publication of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The purpose of an IP rating is to provide users with more detailed and technical information about the product, beyond some of the vague terms that may be used in marketing. The mandatory elements of an IP rating are the two numbers, both of which indicate very different qualities. Each number indicates the degree and type of protection in accordance to IEC standards, with the first number referring to solid particle protection and the second referring to protection from liquids.
Below are 2 quick reference charts to help explain the differences between the different numerical IP classifications:
First Number: Solid Particle Protection |
||
| Level | Effective Against | Description |
| 0 | — | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | >50 mm / 2.0 in | Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part. |
| 2 | >12.5 mm / 0.49 in | Fingers or similar objects. |
| 3 | >2.5 mm / 0.098 in | Tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | >1 mm / 0.039 in | Most wires, slender screws, large ants, etc. |
| 5 | Dust protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment. |
| 6 | Dust-tight | No ingress of dust, complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on airflow. |
Second Number: Liquid Ingress Protection |
||
| Level | Protection Against | Effective Against |
| 0 | None | — |
| 1 | Dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect on the specimen when mounted in an upright position onto a turntable and rotated at 1 RPM. |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted at 15° | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15° from its normal position. |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture or b) A spray nozzle with a counterbalanced shield. |
| 4 | Splashing of water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture or b) A spray nozzle with no shield. |
| 5 | Water jets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm / 0.25 in) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm / 0.049 in nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6K | Powerful water jets with increased pressure | Water projected in powerful jets (6.3 mm / 0.25 in nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction, under elevated pressure, shall have no harmful effects. |
| 7 | Immersion, up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) depth | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m / 3 ft 3 in of submersion). |
| 8 | Immersion, 1 m (3 ft 3 in) or more depth | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions that shall be specified by the manufacturer. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. |
| 9K | Powerful high-temperature water jets | Protected against close-range high pressure, high-temperature spray downs. |
Trident, Tested & True!
The Trident & TridentX handhelds both carry an IP rating of IP66 & IP67. The first number (level 6) is the highest level achievable for solid particle protection, according to the IEC. This number means that the remote control is dust-tight and offers complete protection against contact. The second number (level’s 6 and 7) refer to its two different degrees of water protection. In the case of liquids, 6 means that the mechanical casing is protected from the pressure of powerful waterjets (from any direction) and 7 refers to its complete protection when submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
While this rating simply refers to the protection provided by the mechanical casing, the superior performance and reliability behind each Aarcomm handheld remote control is a collaborative effort involving other areas of its internal mechanical design, such as the embedded battery equipped with wireless charging. Long story short, Aarcomm’s remote controls are equipped and ready to step up to the plate in any environment!
For equipment operators, this high IP rating and masterful design means that you can put your trust in Aarcomm’s technology from Day 1. There is nothing more frustrating than having technology on-hand that is supposed to make your life easier, but you spend too much time waiting for repairs or replacing it entirely when it doesn’t meet your expectations. The Trident/TridentX is built for superior performance in the toughest of environments. The level of protection offered by Aarcomm remote controls allows operators to have greater confidence and gets the job done better than any other wireless remote control in the industry!
If you’re interested in upgrading your current remote control system, reach out to us online through our website or social media, or
call us directly at 1.800.604.9218 to ask about our 30-day Free Trial of the Trident/TridentX system!