IP rating in RFID and barcoding devices specifies the degree of protection of the device against dust, solid object and water ingress. Higher IP rating is preferred for better protection outdoors.
When we purchase any electrical or electronic device, we necessarily check for its IP rating. From smartphones, laptops, cameras, etc. that we use in our day-to-day lives to AIDC components and devices that we use in industrial and commercial business set-ups, IP rating plays a crucial role. It tells you how protected your device is against dust, water, chemicals, etc.
When it comes to RFID, barcoding, and biometric devices that are used in retail, supply chain, and manufacturing as well as healthcare, educational, and government institutions, etc., a higher IP rating is required to ensure that the devices are built to last longer and can be protected against dust particles and water. Since RFID and Barcoding devices such as RFID readers, barcode scanners, RFID antennas, RFID tags, RFID and barcode printers, etc. are quite costly, it is better to purchase higher IP-rated devices, just in case.
What is the full form of IP Rating?
The IP rating is short for Ingress Protection Rating. The IP rating system is developed to provide customers with an idea of how effectively the device sealing and electrical enclosure is designed to protect it against water and small solid grains.
IP code which means Ingress Protection Code, International Protection Code, or IP sealing which means Ingress Protection sealing are all the same and used interchangeably. IP rating system is defined by the IEC 60529 international standard as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
What is The IP Rating System?
Various RFID and Barcoding companies take great care to design their devices to get them IP-rated. The IP (Ingress Protection) rating system is a globally recognized standard used to classify the level of protection provided by electronic devices against intrusion from foreign bodies such as dust and moisture. The IP rating system is essential for assessing the suitability of devices for specific environments, especially given the fact that various Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) devices are used indoors and outdoors, in extreme heat, dust, and water environments.
How the IP Rating System Works?
The IP rating system consists of the letter "IP" followed by two digits and optionally, a letter. The first digit represents the degree of protection against solid objects, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against water. The optional letter provides additional information about the device's protection against specific environmental conditions, such as oil resistance.
IP Rating System: Solid Protection (First Digit) and Liquid Protection (Second Digit)
IP52 Rating (Check 5 in table column 2 and 2 in column 3)
Various RFID readers and barcode scanners are rated IP52. An IP rating, of IP52 would mean that, as noticeable from the below table the device has limited protection against dust ingress, some dust may get inside but the device would work fine and it also has protection against water drops when tilted up to 15 degrees.
The Zebra RFD8500 RFID handheld SLED reader is rated IP52. The DS2208 Barcode scanner by Zebra and the DS2278 Handheld barcode reader is also rated IP52.
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Numerical digits
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Protection against solids (First digit)
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Protection against liquids (Second digit)
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0
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No protection.
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No protection.
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1
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Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm (e.g., a hand).
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Protection against vertically falling drops of water.
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2
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Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm (e.g., fingers).
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Protection against water drops, up to 15 degree tilt.
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3
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Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm (e.g., tools and wires).
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Protection against spraying water at an angle up to 60 degrees from vertical.
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4
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Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm (e.g., small wires and screws).
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Protection against water splashes from any and all directions.
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5
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Limited protection against dust ingress (e.g., some dust may get inside, but it won't interfere with the device's operation).
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Protection against low-pressure water jets from any and all directions.
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6
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Complete protection against dust ingress.
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Protection against powerful jets of water or heavy seas.
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7
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Protection against the effects of immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
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8
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Protection against continuous immersion in water under specific conditions as mentioned by manufacturer.
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9
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Complete protection against high pressure water from any direction
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Various IP Ratings for AIDC Devices
A. RFID Readers
1.Example: Zebra FX9600 Fixed RFID Reader
2. IP Rating: IP53
3. Explanation: This rating means that the RFID reader is protected against limited dust ingress and low-pressure water jets from any direction.
B. RFID Tags
1.Example: Edge 8521 Mount on-metal RFID hard tag
C. RFID Antennas
1.Example: Zebra AN480 RFID Antenna, 6dBi, Circular Polarisation
D. Barcode Scanners
1.Example: Zebra LS2208 1D Barcode Scanner
E. RFID Printers
1.Example: Zebra ZT411 Industrial Barcode/RFID Printer
Benefits of IP Ratings in AIDC Technology
The application of IP ratings in AIDC devices offers several key benefits as follows:
Environmental Suitability
IP ratings help in selecting RFID, barcode, and biometric devices that can withstand the environmental conditions of a particular application, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
Reliability
AIDC devices with higher IP ratings are more reliable in harsh industrial or outdoor environments, reducing maintenance and replacement costs. For example, an RFID reader with higher IP ratings is preferred when the scanning operations are outdoors. RFID ground antennas are also designed with higher IP ratings for the same reason.
Compliance
IP ratings ensure that AIDC devices comply with industry standards and regulations, especially in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.
Protection of Investments
Choosing AIDC devices with appropriate IP ratings allows organizations to protect their investments by reducing the risk of device failure due to environmental factors.
To summarize, the IP rating system plays a crucial role in the AIDC industry by providing a standardized method for assessing the protection of electronic devices against environmental factors. Understanding the IP ratings available for RFID readers, RFID tags, RFID antennas, barcode scanners, and RFID printers is essential for deploying reliable and durable AIDC solutions across various industries. While choosing an RFID or barcoding device, one must choose appropriate IP-rated devices for indoor and outdoor environments for better and reliable performance.
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