IP rating is an important protection indicator for electrical devices, including LED displays. Particularly, in outdoor environments, a screen’s ability to resist moisture and dust can affect its failure rate and even lifespan. As a retailer, integrator, or project manager, you must choose an appropriate IP rating so that the display can bring out better performance and a longer service life.
Are you confused about the meaning of each IP rating and how to choose the correct IP protection rating for LED screens? This article will give you a complete guide.
What is IP Rating?
IP Rating is the abbreviation of Ingress Protection Rating, which is established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The purpose of it is to quantify the waterproof and dustproof performance, as well as other protective capabilities, of electrical devices. Each number or letter in the IP rating represents a different level.
The letters ‘IP’ followed by two numbers consist of the IP rating, and the numbers represent different types of protection, respectively. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid particles, and the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids. Sometimes, a letter may follow the IPXX to represent a special type of protection.
How do LED Displays Achieve Different IP Protection Ratings?
Package Method
Some packaging technologies can enable the LED beads to have a certain degree of water resistance after packaging. It is the most critical step that, no matter how well the cabinet is sealed, water will eventually attempt to penetrate through the LED leads and PCB boards, and lead to circuit corrosion. The waterproof capabilities of common packaging types are as follows:
- Traditional SMD package: After packaging, it does not provide waterproof capability and is highly prone to water ingress through the solder leads; the entire module can only achieve an IP rating below IP65.
- DIP package: It has almost no water resistance, and it relies on the protection of the module. Once the module leaks, the DIP module has almost no secondary protection capability.
- GOB package: The surface of the module is completely covered with a transparent adhesive layer, which has strong waterproof ability. The module can achieve IP65+.
- COB package: The chip is directly packaged on the PCB and hardly leaks water, which can achieve IP67 or higher.
PCB Protection Processes
On the surface of the PCB boards, to protect the circuitry from humidity and corrosion, you can use a chemical coating with moisture-proof, mold-resistant, and salt-spray-resistant properties. And they will also embed sealing gaskets between the module and the back housing to achieve a higher IP rating.
Enclosure Structure Design
The enclosure design determines the maximum IP rating of the LED display module. In general, it achieves varying degrees of protection by improving machining accuracy, using sealing strips, and incorporating lock points to press the mating surfaces against the seals evenly.
Besides this, you can also design eaves and drainage channels on the enclosure, which allow water to flow along specific paths and prevent it from entering the module.
Waterproof Cable and Power Connector
Water will flow along the cable. To prevent water from entering the module, you can use waterproof cables made of PVC or PUR, and use industrial-grade connectors with an IP67 rating or even more.
It is also important to achieve a waterproof design for the internal module, like short wires and interfaces. To realize a continuous waterproof layer, you can use heat-shrink tubing combined with silicone potting.
The Meaning of Each Level of the IP Rating
In the IP rating standard, the dust protection level is indicated by seven numbers ranging from 0 to 6, while the water protection level is indicated by ten numbers ranging from 0 to 9. The meanings of each level are as follows:
| Number | Solid Particle Protection | Explanation |
| 0 | Nearly no protection capability | No special protection on the enclosure |
| 1 | Prevents the ingress of solid objects 50 mm or larger | Protected against accidental contact with large objects, like hands, but not against dust |
| 2 | Prevents the ingress of solid objects 12.5 mm or larger | Protected against finger contact and suitable for some human–machine interface control panels |
| 3 | Prevents the ingress of solid objects 2.5 mm or larger | Protected against the ingress of tools and thick cables. |
| 4 | Prevents the ingress of solid objects 1.0 mm or larger | Protected against the ingress of small screws and cables, which is a common requirement for most indoor LED displays. |
| 5 | Dust-protected | Dust penetration does not impair the safe functioning of the device. |
| 6 | Completely dust-tight | No dust ingress, which refers to the highest dust protection level. |
| Number | Liquid ingress protection | Explanation |
| 0 | No protection capability | No special protection on the enclosure |
| 1 | Protected against vertically dripping water | Protection from condensation and minor water droplets |
| 2 | Protected against water dripping at an angle of up to 15° | Applicable in indoor settings with minor condensation. |
| 3 | Protection against spraying water | Can withstand light rain; applicable under covered outdoor eaves |
| 4 | Protected against splashing water | Protect against water splashed from any direction, and suitable for environments where water may splash |
| 5 | Protected against water jets | Protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction, which can withstand heavy rain and washing |
| 6 | Protected against powerful water jets | Protected against powerful water jets from any direction and suitable for areas with frequent heavy rain and regular high-pressure cleaning |
| 7 | Protected against temporary immersion in water | Can be unaffected when immersed in water at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes, and is suitable for environments where temporary flooding may occur. |
| 8 | Protected against continuous immersion in water | Can withstand prolonged immersion in deeper water and is suitable for underwater equipment and high-humidity environments. |
| 9 | Protected against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets | Suitable for industrial environments requiring high-pressure cleaning, such as food and beverage plants. |
What is the Supplementary Letter?
Some letters usually appear as suffixes in IP ratings, such as IP69K. These letters are often used to indicate the test status of the device or some special types of protection. These are the common supplementary letters in IP ratings and their meanings:
- K: It represents that the device can withstand close-range jets under high-pressure, high-temperature water. It is a standard in industrial applications.
- A/B/C/D: These letters represent the size of objects that the enclosure can prevent from contacting hazardous live parts inside. From A to D, the protection becomes stricter.
- F: It indicates that the equipment casing can resist light oil splashing or contact.
- H: It means high-voltage equipment and refers to the fact that the equipment is suitable for high-voltage environments.
- M: It indicates that the protection level remains valid even when the equipment is in operation.
- S: S is the opposite of M. It indicates that the protection level is only effective when the equipment is stationary.
- W: It represents that the equipment has undergone additional weather-resistant treatment and can adapt to long-term outdoor environments.
Why Do Different LED Screens Require Different IP Ratings?
On one hand, considering the placement environment, when the LED screen is placed in an outdoor open environment, too low protection capability may lead to rainwater seeping into the module. Hence, the more exposed, dusty, and rainy the environment is, the more necessary it is to choose an appropriate high IP rating for you.
On the other hand, the higher the IP protection rating, the higher the cost of purchasing the display for you. For those screens that don’t need to be exposed in an open environment, a lower IP rating may be a more budget-friendly choice. Therefore, the IP rating you choose must be determined by the environment. It should never be too low, and it is best not to be too high either.
Interpretation of Common IP Ratings for LED Displays
IP20 and IP30
LED displays with an IP20 or IP30 rating usually have almost no ability to resist water. They only have the ability to prevent basic dust. Once water vapor enters, it is very likely to cause a short circuit or circuit corrosion.
IP65 and IP66
IP65 in LED displays indicates that they can resist dust completely and have the ability to withstand daily rain, but they cannot be washed under high pressure, while displays with IP66 mean that they can withstand high-pressure flushing, typhoons, or heavy rain.
IP67 and IP68
IP67 means that the screen can not only resist salt spray but also be submerged in water for a short time, while the IP68 screen, based on IP67, can be immersed in water for a longer time.
Common Protection Ratings of LED Displays
For Indoor Use
The typical IP rating of indoor LED displays is IP20 or IP30. This IP rating is commonly used in locations not exposed to rain, like shopping malls, offices, churches, and others. Sometimes, in areas with risks of water ingress, such as indoor swimming pools or beverage production zones, a slightly higher IP rating, such as IP43, is required.
For Outdoor Use
For outdoor environments with obstructions, such as bus stops, IP54 is commonly used for display screens; for most unsheltered outdoor environments, such as stadium LED displays and LED advertising screens, which need to be fully dustproof and rainproof, IP65 is frequently used.
When the display screens operate in rainy or nearshore areas, they need stronger protection capabilities. Depending on the situation, IP66, IP67, or IP68 are always used.
How to Choose an Appropriate IP Rating for an LED Display?
If you are a retailer, integrator, or project manager, when choosing an IP rating for LED displays, you can refer to the following steps:
Evaluate the Installation Environment
First of all, evaluate the conditions of your installation environment. The items you need to consider include whether the installation environment needs to be exposed to sand, dust, salt spray, rain, splashing water, or flooding. If so, you then need to assess whether the appropriate level of protection is necessary.
Balance IP Rating with Cost, Lifespan, and Maintenance
Then, assess the cost, lifespan, and maintenance frequency of the screen you want. If you need a longer lifespan or you don’t want to repair it frequently, then choosing a higher IP rating is recommended.
Verify Certification and Design Details
In addition, when you need a high IP rating, like IP66, you’d better ask the manufacturer for an official test report. Moreover, you should ask them to clearly specify the process related to protective functions, for example, the sealing gasket material, whether the PCB is coated with conformal coating, and the thermal management solution.
FAQs
Is the IP Protection Rating an Internationally Recognized Standard?
Yes. The IP code is defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the international standard IEC 60529. It is a globally recognized standard. The majority of countries and industries worldwide adopt the IP standard to measure the protection level of electrical devices. When engaging in international trade, you can confidently refer to it.
What does the ‘X’ Mean in an IP Protection Rating?
You will likely see protection ratings such as IPXX or IPX5. The ‘X’ in these values may have two meanings: not yet tested, or no requirement specified. For example, some industrial devices only need to achieve the highest dust protection level without requiring water protection. Therefore, manufacturers can use IP6X to represent their protection level.
How to Regularly Inspect the IP Protection Rating of an LED Display?
First, visual inspection. You can observe whether the surface of the module, the sealing strips, and the screws are cracked or aged. Second, functional testing. You can test the insulation of the power supply and the module, and see if there are any numerical changes. Then, you should conduct a leakage detection, such as spraying water to see if there is any leakage.
Does IP68 Guarantee that the LED Screen is Completely Waterproof for Outdoor Use?
Not entirely. It is worth noting that IP68 does not fully cover the functions of IP65 and IP66, nor does it include tests for UV aging, thermal expansion, or contraction, etc. In other words, IP68 cannot guarantee complete waterproofing.
What Should be Done if the Waterproof Module of an LED Display is Damaged?
If the waterproof module of an LED display is damaged, you must immediately cut off the power, locate the damaged area, dry the module either by baking or air drying, and repair it, or replace the module entirely. Otherwise, the display may short-circuit or even fail completely.
Does a Waterproof and Dustproof Design Affect the Heat Dissipation Efficiency of the Module?
Yes. In most cases, waterproof and dustproof designs can significantly affect the heat dissipation efficiency of a module. This is because waterproof and dustproof designs usually rely on sealing strips, silicone potting, or fully enclosed enclosures, which prevent natural air convection, and the heat generated by the display cannot be dissipated in time.
Therefore, for LED displays with high protection ratings, you should enhance thermal management designs.
Final thoughts
Each IP rating corresponds to different protection levels of an LED display, and you should select and verify the appropriate IP rating according to actual requirements. If you need to customize an LED screen with any IP rating, JINGYLED can meet your requirements. We can provide you with any protection levels ranging from IP20 to IP68, and also complete test reports.
If you have any further questions, welcome to contact us at any time!
