IP classification: why is it important in the choice of outdoor totems?
When you decide to install a media totem or monitor outside it is important to understand if this will be able to last
long in the place where it will be placed. Is it completely exposed to the weather or is there a canopy that provides
protection? What are the maximum and minimum temperatures in the area? There is a classification that can give an objective answer to these questions and that allows you to understand if the outdoor hardware you want to buy has the right degree of protection. Read on to learn more.
IP classification: what is it?
(International Protection Marking) classification: a parameter that defines the degree of protection of an electronic
device against the intrusion of solid bodies (such as body parts and dust) and the access of liquids.
As you may have noticed the acronym consists of 3 elements:
- IP: simply indicate the name of the classification.
- A number between 0 and 6: indicates the degree of protection against dust and solid bodies where 6 is the highest degree of protection.
- A number between 0 and 9: indicates the degree of protection against liquids where 9 is the highest
degree of protection.
In addition, in some devices (usually intended for professional use), in addition to these three elements there are also two other that provide important information about the degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and the protection of the material.
Below we leave you a table where you can understand the degree of protection from dust, solid bodies and liquid.
Optional letters: protection of material and against access to hazardous parts
Not for this reason, the optional letters are less important. Especially in the case of professional
equipment are parameters that it is essential to know how to decipher them to ensure the safety of all.
degree of protection against access to dangerous parts. The additional one concerns the protection of the material.
Below you will find the two tables relating to the additional and additional letters respectively.
| IP | Meaning | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Protected against access by hand. | ||
| B | Protected against access with finger. | ||
| C | Protected against tool access. | ||
| D | Protected against access by wire. | ||
| IP | Meaning | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| H | Suitable for high voltage equipment. | ||
| M | Proven against harmful effects due to water ingress when moving parts of the equipment are in motion. | ||
| S | Proven against harmful effects due to water ingress when moving parts of the equipment are not in motion. | ||
| W | Suitable for use in specified weather conditions and equipped with additional measures or procedures. | ||