IP55, IP56, IP68… What does each degree of protection of a mobile mean?

And those who know something about this protection, doubt about the advantages it entails, since they are unaware of the extent to which a mobile phone can ‘suffer’ from the impact of water and dust before breaking. For this reason, we are going to see the different types that exist, as well as the levels of protection that can be present in a terminal.

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the body in charge of granting these degrees of protection to our mobiles, depending on their manufacture and their tightness against water and dust. The acronym IP (Ingress Protection) determines the level of said protection, since it is not the same that our mobile receives a few drops of water in the rain, that it is submerged in a swimming pool. Although, we will now see it in greater detail. We will even explain how to know the IP degree of a phone.

What is IP certification

As we had previously mentioned, the acronym IP comes from Ingress Protection , that is, ‘protection against ingress’ of any type of material that is foreign to the device. In this case, we would be talking about protection against two elements that could damage any smartphone: dust and water. This certification was created by the International Electronic Commission (IEC).

These two letters are accompanied at all times by two numbers that will determine, first of all, the protection it offers against dust as well as solid objects. And, secondly, it will mark the degree of protection against the entry of water into the device, in this case, a mobile.

For this reason, we must know the different levels or degrees that we will find on a smartphone. Well, not all terminals offer the same protection. Everything will depend on each manufacturer, in addition to whether it is a high-end, mid-range or input smartphone. Of course, it does not matter that one number is lower than another, here the really important thing is to know that each protection has different levels.

Meaning of the two numbers

The certification is made up of two numbers, where the first of them reflects the level of protection against dust , that is, tiny particles of matter or not as tiny as the grains of sand on a beach. In addition, this first digit has up to 6 different levels, while the second digit indicates protection against water , and has 9 levels.

In any case, the combination of both numbers determines the IP degree of protection and gives us an idea of under what circumstances we can or cannot continue using the smartphone. In this case, the protection values are determined by the numbers, that is, the higher the number, the higher the level of security against the aforementioned elements.

Most of the mobiles with protection do so with total immunity to dust, that is, we will almost always see a ‘6’ first, followed by some degree of protection against water. But it can also be the case that we find ourselves, for example, with a mobile with IP protection ‘5’, for example, IP58. Therefore, it is time to see the different levels that we can find in each of the cases.

against dust

We will start by looking at the protection against dust that different smartphone manufacturers can offer us on their devices. In this case, we are facing the first digit that we can see in the IP certificate of the device that we have in our possession. Therefore, these are the levels that we could find:

• 0 : Does not offer any type of protection.
• 1 : Immune to the entry of solid elements up to 50mm.
• 2 : Immune to the entry of solid elements up to 12.5mm.
• 3 : Immune to the entry of solid elements up to 2.5mm.
• 4 : Immune to the entry of solid elements up to 1mm.
• 5 : Immune to dust ingress without affecting internal components.
• 6 : Fully protected against ingress of dust.

Water resistance levels

Now it is time to go on to see the different levels that make up the protection against water of the IP certificate . In this case, we are talking about protection against liquids. But, there is a determining factor that we must not overlook, and that is that, in this case, we will be talking about chlorinated or fresh water at all times, and not about protection against salt water. Basically, because the salt is capable of damaging the interior of the phone, as it will cause a corrosion effect on the internal components of the smartphone. These are the levels that we find:

• 0 : No protection.
• 1 : Provides drip protection . In addition, it has been tested that it does not let in water for at least 10 minutes, which falls from a height of 200mm.
• 2 : The device will be protected against falling drops. It will also hold for 10 minutes and at the same height. In this case, the maximum tilt will be 14 degrees.
• 3 : Protection against water mist or spray, when it falls into the device from an angle of up to 60º to the left or right, and will last more than 5 minutes reaching 11 liters per minute and at a pressure of 80-100 kN/m².
• 4 : It offers us protection against water jets. In this case, it has been tested that it will not let in jets of water hitting the mobile phone from any angle for more than 5 minutes and at about 10 liters per minute at a pressure of 80-100 kN/m².
• 5 : It has protection against water jets. In order to know the protection of this level, it has been necessary to verify that it does not let in water jets from any angle that have been launched with a 6.3 mm diameter nozzle, at an average of 12.5 liters per minute from a distance of at least 3 meters for a minimum of 3 minutes.
• 6 : It also manages to offer protection against jets, although in this case, it will be for more powerful water jets . For this reason, it has been verified that it does not let in water jets from any angle that have been launched with a 12.5 mm diameter nozzle. The average is 100 liters per minute from a distance of at least 3 meters, and in terms of duration, it has been proven that it will hold for a minimum of 3 minutes at a pressure of 100 kN/m².
• 7 : We will have a protection against complete immersion in water . Therefore, no water should enter if the device is submerged to a depth of 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes.
• 8 : It also gives us protection against complete and continuous immersion in water. Therefore, water should not enter if the terminal is submerged to a depth and for the time indicated by the manufacturer itself. Well, it is a fact that will provide us, since they have carried out different tests.
• 9K : Provides protection against short-range, high-pressure, high-temperature jets of water delivered at an average of 14 to 16 liters per minute at 80°C.

The most common degrees of protection

Manufacturers often boast and forcefully mark the IP certification of their different mobile devices. However, we rarely see at a glance what these protections mean, so let’s take a look at the most common degrees of protection. In addition, we will see what each of them mean:

• IP60

The mobile is a full-fledged Gremlin. This means that the device that has this degree of IP protection cannot get wet at any time . And, in the event that this is the case, be aware of the possible consequences. The first digit, in this case a ‘6’, reflects that dust will not enter the device under any circumstances. So, in this sense, we must be calm in the face of dirt.

• IP61

Our mobile is resistant to the entry of water by dripping or splashing and totally resistant to the entry of dust. Specifically, the resistance against water will be as we explained above, that is, it will withstand the fall of drops of water , at all times sweet, for at least 10 minutes without the interior or operation of the device being affected.

• IP62

Protected against splashing water from any direction and once again immune to dust. So we will not have to be worried about dust entering the interior of the smartphone at any time. In the case of water, it will be a higher level than, in the previous protection, since it has a little more resistance.

• IP63

The terminal is resistant to water mist , that is, in the form of a spray , for at least 5 minutes. After that time, the mobile device will begin to be affected by the liquid and will not be able to protect the internal components. In the case of the digit ‘6’, which goes first, it indicates total protection against dust particles.

• IP64

In this case, our mobile will be able to resist a jet of water directly applied to its surface without the water causing internal damage. In this case, the grade indicates that the terminal can withstand 10 litres/min and a pressure of 80-100 kN/m² for 5 min.

• IP65

The mobile can withstand a larger jet of water and for a longer time: The body indicates that our mobile will withstand water jetted through a 6.3 mm diameter nozzle at 12.5l/min with a pressure of 80-100 kN/ m².

• IP66

We reach a higher degree of protection and although it is still immune to dust as indicated by number 6, the mobile should not be submerged in water: In this degree we have guaranteed protection against water thrown by jet through a 12.5 mm nozzle in diameter at 100l/min with a pressure of 100 kN/m².

• IP67

At this level, the new mobile can be considered submersible , as it has been possible to verify in the different tests that are carried out on devices with this protection. However, the degree of protection only ensures its tightness for 30 minutes at a depth of one meter. Although, the different smartphone manufacturers recommend that their respective terminals not be immersed at any time.

• IP68

In this case, the phone can be submerged for as long as necessary, although the truth is that the final duration will be determined by the manufacturer itself, since it will depend on the tests that it has carried out on its own. The depth to which it can be submerged is always greater than one meter, but the exact data is provided once again by each manufacturer.

• IP69

This degree is difficult to see in conventional smartphones and is usually reserved for rugged phones for professional use . The terminal can withstand short range high pressure jets, be totally submerged and withstand high temperatures. Like all previous grades, it is resistant to dust.

What IP degree does my mobile have?

The manufacturer of your mobile generally specifies this information on the box of each of its different mobile models. Although, not all brands do. If not, we will have to delve into the user manual since some manufacturers give more or less importance to the data.

Although, on the website of each manufacturer , in the section dedicated specifically to the model of your mobile, you should also be able to see all the technical characteristics, including the possible IP protections that the Android or iOS device has. Ultimately, you can always contact the manufacturer of your mobile to clear up any doubts.

However, on our site , we have a multitude of smartphone analyzes and technical data sheets in which we analyze each of the characteristics of the different terminal models. So you can quickly find the phone model you have on our website and see what IP certificate the device has.