As lithium-ion batteries become more popular, various standards and certifications are being created to ensure consumers’ safety. Each of these standards puts the batteries through rigorous testing to see if they will continue to operate optimally, even in rough conditions. Ingress Protection (IP) ratings were created to signal how well a device was protected against foreign bodies. Battle Born Batteries were exposed to various levels of testing and given an IP65 rating, showing that they are completely dust-proof and water-resistant.
What Does Ingress Protection (IP) Mean?
Over the last 50 years, technological innovation has hit its stride. Every day, new research creates opportunities for new technology that quickly comes to market. With this rapid pace of advancement, consumers were struggling to keep up with safety specifications and requirements. Standards were then created and implemented to quickly signal to consumers which devices had passed the strictest quality and safety testing.
In 1976, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) created the Ingress Protection (IP) rating system to “standardize how to classify electrical enclosures and mechanical casings against ingresses such as dust and water particles.” Before these standards were created, many electronic and mechanical devices were labeled as “waterproof” and “dustproof”. These terms quickly became ambiguous, and consumers were unknowingly exposing their devices to damaging and potentially dangerous conditions.
IP Ratings utilized international standards to create a sliding scale that would quickly convey exactly how “waterproof” and “dustproof” a device really was. The higher this two-digit rating is, the more protected a particular device is from foreign bodies. To determine which rating each device receives, they are subjected to a series of tests. Each test gets progressively more intense in the exposure the device has to certain foreign bodies.
With the creation of IP Ratings, each electronic or mechanical device that receives a rating is exposed to the same exact testing conditions. This removed ambiguity and allowed consumers to deduce quickly and accurately just how “dustproof” and “waterproof” their devices are. Within the last few decades, IP Ratings have greatly increased manufacturer transparency, consumer safety, and overall peace of mind when adopting new technology.
Breaking Down IP Standards
To measure the effectiveness of an electronic device’s sealing against moisture and other foreign objects, IP Standards were established with a two-digit rating. For each digit, the higher the number, the better protected the device is. If a device has an X in place of one of the digits in the IP rating, the enclosure has not been tested for that specification yet.
First Digit – Intrusion Protection
In an IP rating, the first digit indicates the enclosure’s ability to protect against intrusion from solid foreign bodies. A hazardous situation can arise when dust, tools, fingers, or other objects come in contact with electrical components or circuitry. This rating is determined on a scale from 0 to 6. The lower the rating for intrusion protection, the more careful an individual needs to be when storing, using, or touching the device.
The Enclosure Company explains each possible rating against intrusion and what a device is protected against if it receives that rating.
0 – (or X): No special protection. Not rated (or no rating supplied) for protection against ingress of this type.
1 – Protection from a large part of the body such as a hand (but no protection from deliberate access); from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter.
2 – Protection against fingers or other objects not greater than 80mm in length and 12mm in diameter (accidental finger contact).
3 – Protection from entry by tools, wires, etc., with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more.
4 – Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm (wires, nails, screws, larger insects, and other potentially invasive small objects such as tools/small, etc.).
5 – Partial protection against dust that may harm equipment.
6 – Totally dust-tight. Full protection against dust and other particulates, including a vacuum seal, tested against continuous airflow.
Second Digit – Moisture Protection
In an IP Rating, the second digit is used to indicate the ability of the enclosure to protect against moisture. This rating is determined on a scale from 0 to 9. The higher the rating a device receives, the more moisture it can withstand without breaking the seal and impacting the internal electronic components. Testing for moisture protection ranges from subjecting the device to condensation or other water droplets all the way to full submersion.
The Enclosure Company explains what level of moisture a device is protected against and how much it can withstand.
0 – (or X): No protection.
1 – Protection against vertically falling droplets, such as condensation. ensuring that no damage or interrupted functioning of components will be incurred when an item is upright.
2 – Protection against water droplets deflected up to 15° from vertical.
3 – Protected against spray up to 60° from vertical.
4 – Protected against water splashes from all directions. Tested for a minimum of 10 minutes with an oscillating spray (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects).
5 – Protection against low-pressure jets (6.3 mm) of directed water from any angle (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects).
6 – Protection against direct high-pressure jets.
7 – Protection against full immersion for up to 30 minutes at depths between 15 cm and 1 meter (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects).
8 – Protection against extended immersion under higher pressure (i.e., greater depths). Precise parameters of this test will be set and advertised by the manufacturer and may include additional factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on equipment type.
9 – (K): Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, wash-downs, or steam-cleaning procedures – this rating is most often seen in specific road vehicle applications (standard ISO 20653:2013 Road Vehicles – Degrees of protection).
Battle Born Lithium-Ion Batteries Receive IP65 Ratings
As the world transitions to greener, more sustainable forms of energy, lithium batteries are quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives. With so many questions about the safety of lithium batteries, rigorous testing for the peace of mind of consumers. At Battle Born Batteries, we place utmost importance on the safety of our customers. Each of our batteries is put through the highest level of testing to ensure that they conform to the most stringent safety certifications.
In addition to meeting a variety of other safety standards, Battle Born Batteries have been IP-rated. Our flagship 12V 100Ah, GC2 12V 100Ah, GC3 12V 270Ah and 8D 12V 270Ah batteries have received a rating of IP65. The 6 rating shows that the enclosure on our batteries is “totally dust tight” and fully protected against dust and other particulates. Then, the five represents water resistance, tested by protection against low-pressure water jets of 6.3mm directed from any angle.
Receiving an IP65 rating is essential for our consumers, as many of our batteries encounter less-than-ideal conditions daily. Battle Born Batteries are used in a variety of applications, from RVs and off-roading vehicles to home backup power and sailboats. “Total” dust ingress protection ensures that they will be fully protected from any airborne particles they’re exposed to.
Additionally, the IP65 rating signals that Battle Born Batteries are water resistant. While they cannot and should not be submerged in water, their seal allows optimal performance, even in a moist environment. For many of our customers who have their batteries in fishing boats, sailboats, or other marine vessels, this rating signals that they can count on their batteries to continue to be a reliable power source.
Why Does an IP65 Rating Matter?
Exposing Battle Born Batteries to aggressive, above-standard testing has ensured their compliance with IP65 and other safety standards. These tests subject our batteries to extreme environments and conditions to prove their durability and performance. By withstanding such harsh conditions, the safety and reliability of our batteries shines through. We have an unwavering commitment to providing our consumers with a battery that’s been held to the highest standards. Dedicated to quality and precision, we help ensure safety and peace of mind for our customers.
We pride ourselves in manufacturing a product that we can stand behind. Creating a battery that can withstand the stringent guidelines of rigorous testing conditions requires using the highest quality components and maintaining close attention to detail. Achieving the Listings of UN 38.3, UL 2054, UL 62133 – 2, and IP65 certifications gives us the confidence that our batteries are as safe as possible for our consumers. In addition to keeping our customers safe, we want to ensure they have reliable power that they can count on.
Battle Born Batteries are used in various marine, RV, van, and off-grid applications. Whether customers are powering essential systems in their homes, adventuring off the beaten path, or sailing around the world, they’re relying on the power from their batteries for essential parts of daily life. With full dust and particle protection in addition to water resistance, Battle Born Batteries will continue to perform no matter what conditions you encounter.
Upgrade with the Safest and Most Durable Batteries
When choosing a LiFePO4 battery to power every aspect of your day-to-day life, it just makes sense to choose the safest and most durable batteries on the market. Battle Born Batteries were able to continue performing through the stringent testing of IP Standards and receive an IP65 rating. This ensures you will stay safe and have reliable power, even in the toughest conditions.
Our team of technical experts would love to help you determine what power system is right for you. Start by establishing your basic power needs with our Battery Calculator. Then give us a call at (855) 292-2831 (M-F 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (PST)) or email us at [email protected].