Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are very important in industrial computing environments. This rating classifies the degree of protection of equipment against the intrusion of foreign objects that could damage the equipment or cause it to malfunction or become unsafe. It rates protection based on solid objects (body parts, wires, dust) and liquid ingress (water). In this way, it is possible to know exactly how rugged the device is without using potentially misleading or broad terms like “waterproof”.
The IP rating is represented by the two-digit IPXX. The first number indicates protection against solids and the second number indicates protection against liquids. So, for example, an IP67-rated computer will be completely protected from dust and protected against immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
The IP rating required for a computer depends on the industry and application in which it is used. You must carefully consider the environment in which the computer will be placed to ensure that it will operate reliably.
Food and beverage processing
The industry increasingly relies on computer-based control systems for equipment automation and communication. However, there are also very strict food safety regulations that require extensive rinsing, hot water or cleaning with strong disinfectants for all equipment. If the display is stored in the factory, it must be protected and able to operate under these conditions. For the food and beverage industry, monitors should be rated at least IP65 to ensure they are fully protected at all times.
Marine, military and outdoors
Computers are often required in extreme environments, such as on ships, outdoors or in military vehicles. Under these conditions, the display will be exposed to harsh weather, dust, dirt, water, corrosion, flooding, wide temperature ranges, and more. Placing the device in these applications requires an IP65, IP66 or IP67 rating.
Manufacturing and industry
In a warehouse or factory, it can get dusty and dirty. Rugged computers are used to control processes and equipment, and to communicate with machines. If they are not rated IP65 or higher, they are more likely to fail due to dust entering the components. If you need your device to operate reliably 24/7, it should have full dust protection.
Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical processing often requires clean rooms where only a certain amount of particles can exist in the air. The device also cannot bring foreign objects into the laboratory due to the risk of contamination. Equipment in these environments must be able to be wiped clean and possibly sprayed regularly and cleaned with harsh chemicals. They should be rated IP65 or higher, and, considering the possibility of hot water, the computer should preferably be rated IP69K.