One of the greatest threats to any computer is dust or water getting through the case and damaging the electronic components inside. This problem is especially important in the healthcare and industrial sectors, where exposure is far more likely.
Medical and industrial computers are designed to counter this threat with high ingress protection (IP) ratings.
Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings Explained
So, what is ingress protection? It is a measurement of how well an electronic device’s case or enclosure keeps solid debris and liquids out. All electronics, from computers to smartphones to TV remotes, receive an IP rating.
An IP rating typically consists of a two-digit number. The first digit (ranging from 0 to 6) represents the enclosure’s ability to block out dust and solid objects. The second digit (ranging from 0 to 9) reflects its ability to block out water and other liquids.
The higher the number, the better protected the device is. A rating of 00 would indicate a device with zero protection, such as a PC motherboard without a case. On the other hand, an IP rating of 65 indicates that the device is completely protected from dust and water jets from any direction.
Sometimes, a rating will include a letter at the end, creating ratings like IP56F or IP45W. These letters denote special circumstances or conditions the equipment may be used in. For example, the letter “F” in IP56F denotes that the device is oil-resistant. The “W” in IP45W reflects that the IP rating meets real-world weather conditions. However, these letters are not very common.
Who Manages Ingress Protection Ratings?
Ingress protection ratings are developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IEC consists of over 170 countries and provides shared standards and conformity across all its member states. Ingress protection ratings are covered under IEC 60529, which has been continually tweaked and updated since its original publication in 1976.
How is Ingress Protection Testing Performed?
Testers have a range of equipment and methods for determining a device’s ingress protection. For example, testers will use tools the shape of human hands and fingers to see if a person can reach into the case and touch the electronics inside.
For dustproof testing, the device is placed in a specialized testing chamber and blasted with dust from multiple angles. Afterwards, testers open the device’s enclosure to see if any dust was able to get inside.
Testing a device’s waterproof protection involves spraying it with a certain amount of water for a certain amount of time. The IP X5 test requires spraying with a 6.3mm nozzle for at least 3 minutes, with a water volume of 12.5 liters per minute and pressure of 30 kN/m² from 3 meters away. Higher ratings require even longer periods of spraying or complete submersion in water.
What Computers Need Ingress Protection?
All electronics require some degree of ingress protection as a baseline. Even something as simple as a TV remote won’t work if its circuits get coated in dust. However, more demanding applications require more thorough protection.
Industrial Computers
Industrial work areas like factory floors and construction sites are often heavy with dust, metal shavings, and other particles. If these particles enter a computer’s casing, they can permanently damage or destroy the circuitry. Therefore, a durable, dustproof casing is extremely important for industrial computers.
Medical Computers
One of the highest priorities for medical computers is waterproof screens and front bezels. This is because medical staff must constantly clean and disinfect their equipment to prevent germs from spreading. While effective, these cleaning agents can seriously damage a computer’s monitor and electronic components. A resilient waterproof casing and front bezel are key to protecting a medical computer’s more vulnerable components from this damage while still letting healthcare providers disinfect their equipment.
Benefits of Ingress Protection
For demanding applications, ingress protection is not just a luxury but a necessity. The benefits that a strong IP rating brings are the difference between a functioning, effective computer and a broken piece of junk.
Greater Reliability
The most obvious benefit of ingress protection is that it protects computers from mechanical breakdowns and equipment failure. This is critical for industrial and medical workplaces, where any interruption in workflow is unacceptable. For industrial applications, halting production due to equipment breakdown can lead to massive expenses and further disruptions.
In medical settings, equipment failure can have far more dire consequences. If a medical computer breaks down during an operation or while supporting life-sustaining equipment, it could put that patient's life at risk. This is why medical computers must be designed and tested to such high standards, especially for ingress protection.
Lower Maintenance and Replacement Costs
Naturally, fewer breakdowns lead to less money spent on repairing or replacing broken units. This is especially helpful for businesses with a fast operational pace, such as hospitals. Without strong ingress protection, medical panel PCs and monitors would constantly break down and fail as fluids and disinfectants damage their screens. A strong IP rating prevents this damage from ever occurring.
Computer Support in Challenging Environments
High ingress protection ratings let operators use their computers in otherwise inhospitable areas. For example, a high-moisture environment like a car wash is too wet for a conventional desktop PC to survive. However, an industrial-grade PC with a high IP rating can still function in that environment, bringing computer support where it otherwise couldn’t reach.
Considerations for Purchasing IP-Rated Computers
Before upgrading to computers with high ingress protection, here are some of the key factors you need to consider:
The Role’s Requirements
Before investing in computers with strong IP ratings, ask if you need such protective measures in the first place. If you plan to use these computers in a comfortable office environment, then the answer is probably “No.” On the other hand, workspaces with lots of moisture or dust in the air will likely require them. If you aren’t certain, you can contact an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of IP-rated computers. They can walk you through the advantages of their products and if your intended role truly requires them.
Cost and Implementation
Upgrading to any type of new equipment can be expensive. Before committing to a purchase, make sure that you budget appropriately and are prepared to introduce new tools to your workforce. Having a training and implementation plan will make adoption that much smoother. Working with an OEM can also help here, as they can recommend and even develop products that fit your needs without breaking your budget.
Customization
The final major advantage of working with an OEM is that they can customize your computers. This could mean privacy or anti-glare filters on the monitor, built-in barcode scanners, or upgraded processors for greater performance. These customizations can help you get more out of your chosen computers, maximizing the value of your investment.
IP-Rated Computers from Cybernet Manufacturing
So, what is ingress protection? It’s more than just a fancy label to attach to electronics; it’s a critical safety and reliability feature for high-demand applications. If you’re looking for industrial or medical computers with a high ingress protection rating, contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing. We’d be happy to explain how our computers can support a variety of workloads, no matter the environment.