IP Code
Introduction
The IP Code, or "Degrees of protection provided by enclosures", is an international standard which defines the protection again water and dust provided by a device design. The normative international standard is IEC 60529 Ed 2.1:2001, but many countries have their own name/number for an identical standard (e.g. Australian Standard AS 60529—2004).
Protections under the standard are specified by an IP-sw rating, where the first digit of the suffix (s) defines the resistance to solids intrusion, and the second digit of the suffix (w) defines the resistance to water intrusion.
Solid Intrusion
The following levels of resistance to intrusion of solids into the device (laptop internals, in our case) are specified. In our case, hazardous parts refers to any active electrical circuit, even thought the voltages present on any XO are all classified as "low voltage" and considered safe.
Level 0 indicates that no protection is provided.
1 - Hand
The device is protected against access to hazardous parts with the back of a hand. A 5 cm diameter sphere shall be unable to access hazardous parts.
2 - Finger
The device is protected against access to hazardous parts with a finger. A 1.2cm diameter, 8cm long test finger shall be unable to access hazardous parts.
3 - Tool
The device is protected against access to hazardous parts with a tool. A 2.5mm diameter test probe shall be unable to access hazardous parts.
4 - Wire
The device is protected against access to hazardous parts with a wire. A 1.0mm diameter test probe shall be unable to access hazardous parts.
5 - Dust Protected
The standard reads: "Ingress of dust is not totally prevented, but dust shall not penetrate in a quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the apparatus or to impair safety"
The device is protected against access to hazardous parts with a wire.
6 - Dust Proof
No ingress of dust is allowed. The device is protected against access to hazardous parts with a wire.
Water Intrusion
The following levels of resistance to intrusion of liquids into the device (laptop internals, in our case) are specified:
