STACK #249 July 2025

TECH FEATURE

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Dust and solid object protection IP0X – No protection against dust IP1X – Protection from objects larger than 50mm IP2X – Protection from objects larger than 12.5mm (including fingers) IP3X – Protection from objects larger than 2.5mm (including thick wires and most tools) IP4X – Protection from objects larger than 1mm IP5X – Protection of dust is not completely prevented, but any ingress won’t affect safe operation IP6X – Totally dust-tight Water protection IPX0 – No protection against water IPX1 – Offers protection from vertical drips of water IPX2 – Can protect against water that strikes the product at a 15° angle or less IPX3 - Can protect against water that hits the product at a 60° angle or less IPX4 - Offers protection to water splashes from any direction IPX5 – Can protect against low-pressure jets of water from any direction IPX6 – Can protect against powerful jets of water from any direction IPX7 – Will protect from full water immersion for up to 30 minutes from depths between 15cm and 1m. IPX8 – Will withstand extended immersion in greater depths; however, the depth will be specified by the manufacturer

You’ll find IP ratings on headphones, earbuds and Bluetooth speakers, but what do those letters and numbers actually mean? Words Paul Jones Your tech’s water and dust resistance explained WHAT IS AN IP RATING?

IP ratings are not that difficult to decipher once you understand the number system. The IP prefix stands for Ingress Protection, and where appropriate, tech is tested for the penetration of solid objects, dust, and water. Every rating begins with IP followed by two numbers, or an X and a single number. Let’s start with the numbers. Dust is rated 0-6, while water ingress is measured between 0-9. So zero offers no protection, and the higher the number from that baseline, the higher the protection.

that testing has not been conducted on either dust or water ingress, depending on where the X is placed. For example, a rating of IPX6 means the device has not been tested for dust but is resistant to high-pressure water sprays. IP testing is undertaken by an independent and certified company, so a brand can’t just apply its own rating to a product without an official assessment. So the next time you pick up a pair of headphones, earbuds or a Bluetooth speaker from JB and see an IP rating printed on the box, you’ll know exactly what it means and how durable the device is.

IPX9K – Will resist high-pressure,

high-temperature jet sprays. Used infrequently

How is IP testing carried out? You probably have an image of headphones and speakers inspecting for any ingress of these elements. When it comes to water

process, the device is examined for any water ingress, and its functionality is also checked. Dust-resistance testing sees the device placed in a chamber that simulates different levels of dust exposure, and monitored for any penetration.

being covered in dust and dunked in water, and that’s basically how IP testing is carried out. Ingress Protection testing involves exposing the device to controlled conditions and then

The first digit indicates protection against solid objects and dust particles. The second is resistance to water penetration. So, an IP65 rating means the product in question is entirely dust-tight and can resist a low-pressure water spray. Now, it’s not unusual to see one of the numbers supplanted by an X. The X denotes

resistance, devices are either sprayed with water jets from various angles, or submerged for a specific duration and depth. Following the testing

JULY 2025

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