Many of us are startled by the codes products get for their waterproofness.
I’l try to explain these codes without getting too technical or scientific.
The most widely used code is the IP Code (International Protection Marking).
IP codes are made up out of a;
– first digit, indicating what size solid particles it can withstand. (solid particle protection)
– second digit, indicating waterproofness (liquid ingress protection)
Using the 6 as first digit, because this typically is realistic, what you need to know is this:
- Taking electrical or otherwise water-sensitive gear outside of your boat, requires IP68. (Whitewater can created a lot of pressure.)
Think watches, camera’s, et cetera. - Taking electrical or otherwise water-sensitive gear inside of your boat, requires IP67.
Think dry-bags, phones, et cetera. - Using electrical or otherwise water-sensitive gear off-water ideally has an IP65 or IP66 rating, but may be less, subject to the type of gear.
Underlying this, we’ll have a look at the second digit, protection against water., which is most relevant to us:
| Digit | Type | Explanation |
| 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°. |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect. |
| 4 | Splashing water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect. |
| 5 | Waterjets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | Powerful waterjets | Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 7 | Immersion, up to 1m depth | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water of up to 1 m. |
| 8 | Immersion, 1m or more depth | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water without harmful effects. |
The first digit, solid particle protection:
| Digit | Size (mm) | Explanation |
| 2 | >12.5 | Fingers or similar objects |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | >2.5 | Tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | >1 | Most wires, slender screws, large ants etc. |
| 5 | Dust protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it interfere with the operation of the equipment. |
| 6 | Dust tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust tight). |