Waterproof Tablet PCs and Panel PCs
Protection from the elements is important when it comes to industrial and rugged tablet and panel PCs. A waterproof tablet pc or waterproof panel pc can be identified by the IP Rating. A tablet might be described as IP65 waterproof or IP67 waterproof, but what is the difference? Do I need an IP65 tablet or or IP67? Is the entire panel PC enclosure waterproof or is the screen waterproof?
What is IP Rating?
The International Electrotechnical Commission has developed the IP Rating to describe an enclosure’s protective capabilities. The IEC standard 60529 is a document that establishes and describes this rating system. The European equivalent is EN 60529.
The first number in the rating system is for solid objects. As this number increases, this indicates that protection extends to smaller particles. This value can be from 0-6.
The second number in the rating system is for liquid. As this number increases, this indicates protection from drips to immersion. This value can be from 0-9.
First Number in the IP Rating
The table below shows the protection level an enclosure would have against solid foreign objects:
| First Digit | Foreign Object Size Protection | Effective against |
| X | No Data | No data collected to represent protection from solid foreign objects. |
| 0 | Not protected | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | > 50mm | Any large surface of the body, such as the back of the hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part. |
| 2 | > 12.5mm | Fingers or similar objects. |
| 3 | > 2.5mm | Tools, thick wires, etc. |
| 4 | > 1mm | Most wires, screws, etc. |
| 5 | Dust Protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact. |
| 6 | Dust Tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact. |
Second Number in the IP Rating
The table below shows the protection level an enclosure would have against liquids:
| Second Digit | Object size protected against | Effective against |
| X | No Data | No data collected to represent protection against liquid |
| 0 | Not protected | – |
| 1 | Dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect. |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position. |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect. |
| 4 | Splashing water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect. |
| 5 | Water jets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1m | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). |
| 8 | Immersion beyond 1m | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. |
Each test has a duration in which the object must be exposed to the corresponding condition. Based on the condition, there may also be additional requirements such as water volume or immersion depth.
Estone Technology tests each of our Rugged Tablet PC and Medical Tablet PC platforms to identify the IP Rating of each waterproof tablet PC. We also test our Industrial Panel PC platforms and provide an IP Rating to identify the platform’s waterproof screen.
For our panels, the front panels are rated IP65 but a customized enclosure is needed to protect the backside and connectors. Our engineering team can assist in the development of a custom enclosure for your selected panel platform.
