One of the major misnomers of using an IP65 enclosure is that somehow the IP rating offers a guarantee of protection. However, it must be noted that to attain an IP rating a device is merely built to guidelines and the rating is self certified. It is important therefore to always choose a supplier that can offer third party accreditation or testing on their products.
When it comes to IP65 digital signage one of the many pitfalls can be the durability of the seals of the device and the method the manufacturer uses to allowing cooling whilst still offering waterproof protection. It is also really important to realise that an IP65 LCD enclosure will only be suitable outdoors if they can protect against temperatures. One aspect of digital signage outdoors is that the LCD or plasma needs to be protected from the heat of summer and the icy cold of winter.
So ask your supplier how they counter these issues to ensure you are receiving a well protected but also a long lasting product that is not only waterproof but offers adequate heating and cooling and therefore can be used throughout the year.
Here is a full explanation of the IP rating system:
|
First Characteristic Numeral |
DEGREE OF PROTECTION (First Number in Code) |
|
|
Brief Description |
Definition |
|
|
0 |
Not protected |
– |
|
1 |
Protected against solid foreign objects of 50mm diameter and greater. |
The object probe, sphere of 50mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate.1 |
|
2 |
Protected against solid foreign objects of 12.5mm diameter and greater. |
The object probe, sphere of 12.5mm diameter, shall not fully penetrate.1 |
|
3 |
Protected against solid foreign objects of 2.5mm diameter and greater |
The object probe, sphere of 2.5mm diameter, shall not penetrate at all.1 |
|
4 |
Protected against solid foreign objects of 1mm diameter and greater. |
The object probe, sphere of 1mm diameter, shall not penetrate at all.1 |
|
5 |
Dust-protected | Ingress of dust is not totally prevented, but dust shall not penetrate in a quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the apparatus or to impair safety |
|
6 |
Dust-tight | No ingress of dust. |
| 1 The full diameter of the object shall not pass through an opening of the enclosure |
||
|
Second Characteristic Numeral |
DEGREE OF PROTECTION (Second Number in Code) |
|
|
Brief Description |
Definition |
|
|
0 |
Not protected |
– |
|
1 |
Protected against vertically falling water drops. |
Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects. |
|
2 |
Protected against vertically falling water drops when enclosure is titled up to 15°. |
Vertically falling drops have no harmful effects when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15° on either side of the vertical. |
|
3 |
Protected against spraying water. | Water sprayed at an angle up to 60° degrees on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects. |
|
4 |
Protected against splashing water | Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
|
5 |
Protected against water jets. | Water projected in jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
|
6 |
Protected against powerful water jets. | Water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
|
7 |
Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water. |
Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is temporarily immersed 1 meter in water under standardized conditions of pressure and time. |
|
8 |
Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water. |
Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is continuously immersed in water under conditions which shall be agreed between manufacturer and the user, but are more severe than for number 7. |
