What products require Ingress Protection (IP) Testing:

1. Products that require IP testing include computers, laboratory equipment, certain medical devices, light fixtures as well as products that must remain dust-free or moisture-resistant. Items that are sealed and will likely be placed in hazardous places also need IP ratings.
2. In certain cases, IP testing is voluntary, but sellers often ask manufacturers for an IP rating before placing a product in inventory. For example, a hardware store might demand that all outdoor lights it sells come with an IP rating against ingress from moisture. The hardware store doesn’t want to get a lot of returned merchandise or be liable in case of some accident that occurs because of a failure of the product. In a case like this, it’s incumbent on the manufacturer to meet the seller’s standards.
3. Some other typical products that need ingress protection include components in automotive and military applications. In these cases, water pressure testing is crucial because water can foul the system. Water is often used for cleaning, however, so the product must be resistant to water potentially entering sensitive components.
4. Water spray testing can help ensure gaskets that cover seals in these systems are well-fitted. It’s also important to consider spray testing can involve water dispensed at high-velocity, which presents its own challenges.
5. Sometimes water can work its way past even a well-sealed gasket. Ensuring the gasket includes a shield that blocks water spray can be important in maintaining the serviceability of a gasket in these conditions.
6. Other common items that require ingress protection testing include electrical sockets, cell phones, refrigerators (particularly their electric motors) and wrist watches.