Industrial Computer Enclosure – A Buyers’ Guide (part 2)

Here are the numeric IP rating levels of protection for each digit:

1st Digit – Description of Protection Level:

0 Not protected
1 Protected against solid foreign objects of 50 mm diameter and greater
2 Protected against solid foreign objects of 12,5 mm diameter and greater
3 Protected against solid foreign objects of 2,5 mm diameter and greater
4 Protected against solid foreign objects of 1,0 mm diameter and greater
5 Protected from the amount of dust that would interfere with normal operation
6 Dust tight

2nd Digit Description of Protection Level:

0 Not protected
1 Protected against vertically falling water drops
2 Protected against vertically falling water drops when enclosure is tilted up to 15°
3 Protected against water sprayed at an angle up to 60° on either side of the vertical
4 Protected against water splashed against the component from any direction
5 Protected against water projected in jets from any direction
6 Protected against water projected in powerful jets from any direction
7 Protected against temporary immersion in water
8 Protected against continuous immersion in water, or as specified by the user

It is not just dust and liquids that industrial computer enclosures protect from. Many enclosures are designed and built to protect from theft and vandalism, perfect for any IT left in public or vulnerable areas such as digital signage or information points. These enclosures should be solidly built and engineered out of the best materials to ensure durability. Why not ask a prospective manufacturer of the types of locations their enclosures are situated.