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IP65, IP68: you encounter these codes everywhere on medical equipment. But what exactly do those numbers mean? And which protection rating does your workstation need? In this article we explain the IP system and translate the theory into the practice of healthcare and laboratory. What does an IP code mean? IP stands for Ingress Protection. […]
IP65, IP68: you encounter these codes everywhere on medical equipment. But what exactly do those numbers mean? And which protection rating does your workstation need? In this article we explain the IP system and translate the theory into the practice of healthcare and laboratory.
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The code consists of two digits. The first digit (0 to 6) describes protection against solid particles such as dust. The second digit (0 to 9) describes protection against water. The higher the digit, the better the protection.
A 5 means dust-protected: some dust may enter, but never enough to disturb operation. A 6 means completely dust-tight. With both IP65 and IP68 the device is fully dust-tight, exactly what you want in cleanrooms and clinical rooms.
Here lies the real difference. A 5 means resistant to water jets from any direction. An 8 means resistant to continuous immersion in water, under the conditions specified by the manufacturer. So IP65 is jet-proof; IP68 even survives full immersion.
For devices you wipe down with a cloth and disinfectant, IP65 is amply sufficient. Think of a medical all-in-one PC, a rugged tablet or a barcode scanner. For input devices that are intensively disinfected or even rinsed, IP68 is the safest choice. That is why the Athena AMK103 medical keyboard, the AMM003 medical mouse and the Medical PDA are fully IP68 sealed.
A high IP rating says something about sealing, not about chemical resistance. Therefore always check whether the surface withstands the cleaning and disinfection agents your institution uses. Athena medical equipment additionally has an antibacterial finish and is tested with common hospital cleaning agents.
Choose at least IP65 for equipment in clinical rooms and laboratories. Choose IP68 for keyboards, mice and handhelds that are intensively disinfected daily. In doubt about a specific application? Our specialists are happy to advise via the contact page.
For sealing yes, but it is not always necessary. IP65 suffices for devices cleaned with a cloth. IP68 makes sense with intensive disinfection or risk of immersion.
No, we advise against it. IP65 protects against water jets, not against immersion. Rinsing is only responsible with IP67 and IP68 equipment, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
The 6 is the highest class for solid particles and means fully dust-tight. Both ratings protect equally well against dust; the difference lies in water protection.
The IP rating guarantees the sealing; chemical resistance depends on the material. The Athena keyboards combine IP68 with a silicone surface that withstands common surface disinfection.
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