All smartwatches leave the factory with a certificate of resistance called IP grade (Ingress Protection), however, all smartwatches have different IP degrees. What do these degrees mean and what are the differences between smartwatches? Let’s take a look.
Is your smartwatch waterproof?
Let’s start by highlighting that the IP degree is used to specify the type of protection offered by an electronic device and is directly related to the environments in which the device can be used. These grades are awarded after performing a multitude of tests.
Do these grades have a connection to the IP we are talking about when we refer to network connections? Well, no, since IP in this case means “Internet Protocol” and refers to Internet connections, which has nothing to do with water resistance. Some smartwatches are very water-resistant, some don’t resist so well and others don’t resist at all.
How to interpret the IPXX code?
The IP code is made up of two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid bodies and the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids. The higher the figure, the better the protection.
However, it is important to keep in mind that these ratings are based not only on dust and water protection but also on water pressure protection, among other things. Furthermore, the grades are rather objective- the manufacturer does not choose them but it is the International Electrotechnical Commission (CIE). Below you can see what each digit means in the IP code.
Is your smartwatch waterproof? – Differences between IP67 and IP68
| FIRST FIGURE | That says |
| 0 | No protection (can also be represented with an X) |
| 1 | Protection against solid objects up to 50 mm³ |
| 2 | Protection against solid objects up to 12 mm³ |
| 3 | Protection against solid objects up to 2.5 mm³ |
| 4 | Protection against solid objects up to 1 mm³ |
| 5 | Dust protection, limited dust ingress (does not pose a risk to the device) |
| 6 | Complete protection against dust |
| SECOND FIGURE | That says |
| 0 | Without protection (can also be represented by an X) |
| 1 | Protection against vertical water dripping (condensation) |
| 2 | Protection against spraying with water positioned vertically at 15º |
| 3 | Protection against water projections with any vertical angle up to 60º |
| 4 | Protection against water projections from any direction – minimal entry |
| 5 | Protection against water jets from any direction – minimum entry |
| 6 | Protection against water jets, minimal inlet (under the housing, for example) |
| 7 | Protection from the effects of immersion in liquids between 15 cm and 1 m of depth |
| 8 | Protection against long periods of immersion and water pressure |
Ultimately, it is important to understand that dive protection is directly related to water pressure. This means that damage will be more important if the device is exposed to a powerful jet of water than if it falls into a puddle.
Having said that, it should be emphasized that even if a smartwatch is completely protected from dust, this does not mean that it is also completely waterproof in immersion at all levels or at water pressure.
As we have seen at the moment, the second digit in each IP level refers to the level of protection from water. Therefore, we deduce that between an IP67 and an IP68 there are no differences in terms of insulation against solid bodies since both have the highest level of protection – the entry of solid particles into the equipment can be completely avoided.
The only difference, therefore, lies in the ability of each device to resist the entry of water. In the case of an IP67 smartwatch, we know that it will be able to withstand dives in water up to 1 meter deep during a period of 30 minutes thanks to the tests carried out in the device certification process.
However, IP68 protection ensures that the mobile device will be able to withstand dives of more than one meter – typically 3 meters. However, the time frame during which endurance is assured is agreed between the certification company and the watch manufacturer prior to testing, so that there is no equal data for all models.
What tests are performed to certify a device?
However, for manufacturers to add IP certification to their device specification list, they must pass a series of tests, which will determine their preparation for possible incidents. Depending on the level, these are the tests that must pass:
- IPX1– 10-minute test in which water equivalent to 1 mm of rain per minute is sprayed.
- IPX2– 2.5-minute test for each direction and inclination – for a total of 10 minutes – in which water equivalent to 3 mm of rain per minute is sprayed.
- IPX3– a test of at least 5 minutes in which a volume of water equivalent to 10 liters per minute is sprayed at a pressure between 50 and 150 kPa.
- IPX4– test similar to that performed for IPX3 certification, with the difference that the protection is removed during spraying.
- IPX5– a test of at least 15 minutes -1 minute per square meter – in which the water is sprayed from a distance of 3 meters and a pressure of 30 kPa with a volume of 12.5 liters per minute.
- IPX6– a test of at least 3 minutes -1 minute per square meter – in which the water is sprayed from a distance of 3 meters and a pressure of 100 kPa with a volume of 100 liters per minute.
- IPX6K– a test of at least 3 minutes -1 minute per square meter – in which the water is sprayed from a distance of 3 meters and a pressure of 1000 kPa -100 bar- with a volume of 75 liters per minute.
- IPX7– a test of at least 30 minutes 1 meter below the surface of the water.
- IPX8– a test carried out normally at a depth of 3 meters below the water surface, with a duration agreed with the manufacturer.
- IPX9K– a test of at least 30 seconds for each of the 4 corners of the device -2 minutes in total- in which the water is sprayed from a distance of between 0.10 and 0.15 meters at a pressure of between 80 and 100 bar, at a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius.
In addition to the above, it should be noted that IP protection levels are not cumulative starting from IPX6. This means that it is possible that a terminal has IPX7 protection and therefore supports diving, but cannot withstand splashing water by not having passed the tests corresponding to IPX5 or IPX6 degrees. That’s why some watches indicate two degrees of protection.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the realization of these tests and the subsequent certification of the devices entail costs for the manufacturer. So some companies, especially Chinese ones have decided not to certify their watches despite being built in such a way that, in theory, they are able to pass the tests.
