IP Ratings and Drones
What is an IP Rating?
An IP rating, or ingress protection rating, is a laboratory-certified industrial rating to a piece of electronic equipment or an enclosure for electrical equipment, used to explain the degree of protection provided against intrusion of debris and water, as well as accidental contact (including body parts like fingers or hands) to critical components. This internationally recognized rating system was developed by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and is used heavily in Europe and Asia, with new adherents in North America.
The IP rating standard seeks to provide consumers more specific information than vague terms like “waterproof.” The IP rating consists of two digits, each representing different forms of environmental influence. The first digit represents protection against ingress of solid objects, while the second digit represents protection against ingress of liquids. The higher the value of each digit, the greater the protection. The digit 0 is used where no protection is provided. For instance, a product rated IP45 would be better protected against environmental factors than another similar product rated IP31. Alternatively, a smartphone rated at IP58 is dust resistant and can be immersed in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
|
IP |
First Digit Ingress of Solid Objects |
Second Digit Ingress of Liquids |
|
0 |
No protection |
No protection |
|
1 |
Protected against solid objects over 50mm, such as hands, large tools, but not against deliberate contact with a body part. |
Protected against vertically dripping water or condensation. |
|
2 |
Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm, such as hands, fingers, or large tools. |
Protected against falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15 degrees from its normal position (from vertical). |
|
3 |
Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm, such as tools or thick wires. |
Protected against water falling as spray from any direction, even if the case is disposed up to a 60 degree from vertical. |
|
4 |
Protected against solid objects over 1.0mm, such as wires, thin screws, and large insects. |
Protected against splashing or spray of water from any direction. |
|
5 |
Dust protected (ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but will not interfere with equipment operation). |
Protected against low pressure water jets (6.3mm nozzle) from any direction. |
|
6 |
Dust tight (entirely protected against dust ingress) and complete protection |
Protected against high pressure water jets (12.5mm nozzle) from any direction. |
|
7 |
N/A |
Protected against short periods of immersion in water (up to 1 meter of submersion depth). |
|
8 |
N/A |
Protected against continuous periods of immersion in water (up to a specified pressure, typically hermetically sealed). |
|
9K |
N/A |
Protected against close-range high pressure, high temperature spray downs (steam-jet cleaning). |
How does an IP rating affect my Drone?
Checking the IP rating on your drone parts is a good way to check the weather tolerance of your UAV. A sleek design and high IP rating ensure that your motors and fully enclosed components are protected against dust and rain, which is especially important if you’re looking to fly your drone in rain, near construction sites, or in any situation where weather conditions might change quickly and bring upon adverse conditions.
For instance, our upcoming KDE-UAS125UVC, optimized for multi-rotor and single-rotor applications, has achieved an ingress protection rating of IP66, ensuring all-weather and dust-proof operation and providing complete protection against contact with external debris and projected water (heavy rain) and snow conditions. The current KDEXF-UASHVC ESCs, commonly found in operation worldwide, are certified to an IP56 rating for cool-running temperatures and all-weather operation, allowing the ESCs to be used in a wide range of harsh environments and commercial/industrial applications.
Fly Safe with KDE Direct
KDE Direct uses the highest-quality materials and manufacturing processes to provide you with multi-rotor and single-rotor motors, electronics, propellers blades, and upgrades to ensure your drone takes off and lands safely.
Keep your eyes peeled for our KDE-UAS125UVC ESC for UAS Multi- and Single-Rotor Applications, available soon!
Share this post
- Tags: drones, ip ratings, technology, uav, waterproof drones