What is ‘Weatherproof’?
So, what does it mean when something is ‘weatherproof’? The term weatherproof is often used for IP65 rated cases like the one used for most of Raveon’s data radios. The IP codes in their specific position indicate protection against dust (5) and protection from low water pressure (6). IEC standard 60529 defines the IP rating code system. A summary is in the following table:
| IP Rate | Solid Objects | Liquids | Mechanical Impact |
| 0 | No special protection | No protection. | No protection. |
| 1 | Protected against solid objects over 50 mm, e.g. accidental touch by persons hands. | Protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation. | Protects against impact of 0.225 joule |
| 2 | Protected against solid objects over 12 mm, e.g. persons fingers. | Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15o from the vertical. | Protected against impact of 0.375 joule |
| 3 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5 mm (tools and wires). | Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60o from the vertical. | Protected against impact of 0.5 joule |
| 4 | Protected against solid objects over 1 mm (tools, wires, and small wires). | Protection against water sprayed from all directions – limited ingress permitted. | Protected against impact of 2.0 joule |
| 5 | Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit). | Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions – limited ingress. | Protected against impact of 6.0 joule |
| 6 | Totally protected against dust. | Protected against temporary flooding of water, e.g. for use on ship decks – limited ingress permitted. | Protected against impact of 20.0 joule |
| 7 | N/A | Protected against the effect of immersion between 15 cm and 1 m. | N/A |
| 8 | N/A | Protects against long periods of immersion under pressure. | N/A |
The United States National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) also publishes protection ratings for enclosures similar to the IP rating system published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). However, it also dictates other product features not addressed by IP codes, such as corrosion resistance, gasket aging, and construction practices. Thus, while it is possible to map IP Codes to NEMA ratings that satisfy or exceed the IP Code criteria, it is not possible to map NEMA ratings to IP codes, as the IP Code does not mandate the additional requirements.
