When it comes to audio components and other electronic devices, IP ratings are the first thing you’ll want to know. “IP” stands for Ingress Protection. It was established by the International Electro Technical Commission (IEC) 60529, and classifies the degrees of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects, dust, accidental contact, and water in electrical enclosures. ISL Products knows these ratings very well. Depending on our customer’s requirements, we can offer various IP ratings for many of our components. Please submit your inquiry or contact an ISL engineer today to get started!
There are several reasons for ingress testing, including safety, functionality, and product marketing. IP ratings give the end-user proper knowledge of what environment a product is intended to be used in. Products used indoors or outdoors are often given a rating. Our Mylar Speakers are a great place to start if you are considering an IP rated speaker. The properties of a Mylar cone make them an ideal fit for high humidity environments. For the harshest of environments, a Piezo Loudspeaker, like our PZ94 speaker would be the best solution.
The IP Ratings system is very practical for Engineers to compare levels of sealing. IP ratings also allow end-users to better understand the capabilities of an audio component and other electrical components, rather than just saying it’s waterproof. If you are working on a project that may require an IP rated component, please message our engineering team.
What Do the Numbers Mean?
The code always starts with the letters “IP” followed by two digits and sometimes a letter. The numbers following IP represent levels of sealing and can range from none to continuous immersion in water. The higher the numbers, the more protected a device is against either solids or liquids. If you are having trouble identifying your exact requirements please visit our Audio Component Selection Guide.
The first numerical digit indicates the sealing level of solid bodies, these protection levels range from 0 to 6. At the highest rating of 6, the device is dust tight from two to eight hours.
The second numerical digit deals with liquids, with protection levels ranging from 0 through 8. At a protection level of 8, the device is protected against the effects of immersion in water under pressure for long periods.
If a product isn’t tested for one of the two an “X” is marked in place of the numerical value. For example, IPX7 refers to a device not rated for protection against solid objects but rated for protection against the effects of immersion in water between 15cm to 1m for 30 minutes.
Over the years, ISL Products has manufactured a variety of IP rated audio components and devices. From custom weatherproof motorcycle handlebar-mounted loudspeakers to underwater lobster call devices, ISL Products has a solution to meet your IP requirements. Speak with one of our engineers today to discuss your application requirements.
