IP 68 Testing: Optimum protection under water

Products and components with an IP 68 rating are absolutely dust-tight and are protected against continuous immersion in water, where the water depth is more than one metre or the duration is longer than 30 minutes, or both simultaneously.

The standard is met if the amount of water entering the enclosure is not enough to impair the function of the device. However, tests for the IP 68 protection class only specify immersion in clear water; the protection does not apply for other liquids, such as salt water, detergent solutions or alcohol, as these substances attack the seals that are meant to protect against water ingress.

Smartphones are tested in accordance with IP 68

An example of devices with the IP 68 protection rating are mobile phones. Most manufacturers ensure that their products are waterproof and remain functional after involuntary submersion. To test that this is the case, the products are tested for water damage in an immersion tank in accordance with the standard, and the protection class is later stated on the product packaging. Bluetooth headphones and loudspeakers are also tested for water resistance before they are launched on the market.

Complete protection against dust ingress and contact

In compliance testing for the IP 68 rating, the devices and enclosures are tested for protection against contact, the ingress of dust as well as foreign objects. The device complies with the specifications if it is free of dust inside and no foreign objects have penetrated the enclosure during the test.

IP 68: Protection against access with wire, dust-tight

Different types of test dust can be used, for example talcum, Arizona dust or a mixture of Portland cement and fly ash.

IP 68: Protected against temporary immersion or continuous submersion