IP68 (Ingress Protection): what it is, how it works and what it does
A standard ingress-protection rating indicating that a device is dust-tight (level 6) and can withstand immersion in water up to 6 metres deep for 30 minutes (level 8).
Definition
IP68 is an Ingress Protection classification that certifies two properties of a device: complete sealing against dust and resistance to prolonged water immersion. It is expressed as a two-digit code preceded by the IP prefix.
Code structure
The IP68 code consists of two digits, each with a specific meaning:
- First digit (6): indicates the level of protection against solid particle intrusion. The value 6 corresponds to dust tight or dust proof, meaning no dust enters in a quantity that would affect the equipment's operation.
- Second digit (8): indicates the level of protection against liquid intrusion. The value 8 corresponds to immersion resistance under specific depth and duration conditions.
Immersion parameters
For the IP68 classification, the defined immersion parameters are:
- Maximum depth: 6 metres.
- Maximum duration: 30 minutes.
These values mean the device can be submerged to a depth of 6 metres for a period of 30 minutes without water compromising its operation.
Applications
The IP68 rating is commonly used in consumer electronics such as mobile phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and other portable devices to indicate the level of protection the product's body or enclosure offers against external agents.
Scope and limitations
- The certification refers to the device enclosure under controlled laboratory conditions; it does not guarantee resistance to high-pressure jets, salt or chemical water, or steam exposure.
- Protection may degrade over time, after drops, enclosure openings, or wear of gaskets and seals.
- Being dust proof does not imply immunity to liquid particles or corrosion.
Interpreting the rating on a product
When a product specifies IP68 in its technical sheets or documentation, the user should understand that:
- The device is dust tight: it does not admit solid particles in a relevant quantity.
- The device is water resistant: it withstands immersion up to 6 m for a maximum of 30 minutes.
- These conditions are maximum and refer to still fresh water; they do not constitute a guarantee for unlimited water use.
The presence of the IP68 mark on a product is a declaration of compliance with an ingress-protection standard, not an invitation to routinely submerge the device.