An IP rating is a crucial piece of knowledge that every user of Digital Measuring Devices need to be aware of in South Africa. This is because our Jobsites require a bit more from our tools due to the thought Jobsite conditions we need to operate in. This is why we here at STABILA SA want to help you understand just how important it is that the tools you use are up to the rigors of SA’s Jobsites, by giving you a guide to understanding what IP ratings are.

How many times has it happened where a spirit level or measuring tape falls off of scaffolding at height while you’re working, or the demolition work creates big clouds of dust? You don’t want to worry that your expensive tool has just broken, or worse on the exterior it looks good and you continue to work with the tool, only to find out at the end of the job that your spirit level’s accuracy was out by a few mm’s. At STABILA we know it’s important for users to know that their tools will remain just as precise after being subjected to the daily stresses of the job site as it was on the day you bought it. Avoid hours of rework and always remember to ask what the IP rating is of your measuring and leveling tool. Knowing what the IP rating is on your electronic devices or tools will save you money in the long run.

Since 1889 STABILA has been providing innovative positioning, measuring, and leveling tools that not only deliver accuracy but are extremely durable. The most costly mistake on any project is an incorrect measurement and that’s why you need to rely on the accuracy of the measuring and leveling tools you’re using. The research and development team at STABILA takes accuracy seriously and has built extremely durable spirit levels, lasers, receivers, and measuring tapes that deliver on the lifetime accuracy guarantee that STABILA users rely on.

Guaranteed Durability On Digital Measuring Tools

Known as tough performers STABILA’s range of products has various protection ratings associated with them to ensure long-term durability. STABILA tools such as the Type 196 -2 Digital Spirit Level, and the LAR 160 and LAR 350 Rotational lasers are all IP65 rated. The range of Laser Distancers and the LAX 300 Laser has an IP 54 protection class rating.

What is an IP Rating?

An IP certification rating table or chart has been constructed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for international use to denote the level of protection. IP Ratings are classified by categorical codes. These, in turn, summarise the scale of protection offered from estranged articles such as; substantial objects, dirt and moisture.

Understanding The Codes:

An IP rating is, in summary, a two-digit code. The first digit establishes the level of protection against the intrusion of foreign bodies. The second digit refers to the resistance against moisture intrusion. Together, this informs the precise level of protection that will be offered by the specific case or enclosure.

Any product with an IP rating must withstand an assortment of tests. These tests determine the items’ efficiency in a range of circumstances.

Ultimately, an IP rating allows you to make an educated choice regarding the appropriateness of the product’s suitability for your specific application and conditions in which you will be working.

IP Rating First Digit – Protection of Foreign Body Intrusion

The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects.

LEVEL	ICON	OBJECT SIZE PROTECTEDAGAINST	EFFECTIVE AGAINST
0		—–	No protection against contact and ingress of objects
1		Greater than 50 mm	Protects from any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part
2		Greater than 12.5 mm	Protect against fingers or similar-sized objects
3		Greater than 2.5 mm	Protects against tools, thick wires and similarly sized objects.
4		Greater than 1 mm	Protects against most wires, screws, large ants/ small insects of a similar size etc.
5		Dust Protected	Some protection from dust ingress as long as it is not exposed to a large quantity.
6		Dust Tight	No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact

IP Rating Second Digit – Moisture Protection Levels

Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.

LEVEL	ICON	PROTECTED AGAINST	TESTING FOR	DETAILS
0		Not Protected	N/A	N/A
1		Dripping Water	Dripping water (vertically falling drops) will have no harmful effect	Test duration: 10 minutes. Water equivalent to 1mm rainfall per minute.
2		Dripping water when tilted up to 15°	Vertically dripping water will have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position.	Test duration: 10 minutes. Water equivalent to 3mm rainfall per minute.
3		Spraying water	Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical will have no harmful effect	Test duration: 5 minutes. Water volume: 0.7 litres per minute. Pressure: 80–100 kN/m².
4		Splashing water	Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction will have no harmful effect	Test duration: 5 minutes. Water volume: 10 litres per minute. Pressure: 80–100 kN/m².
5		Water jets	Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction will have no harmful effects	Test duration: at least 3 minutes. Water volume: 12.5 litres per minute. Pressure: 30 kN/m² at distance of 3m.
6		Powerful water jets	Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction will have no harmful effects	Test duration: at least 3 minutes. Water volume: 100 litres per minute. Pressure: 100 kN/m² at distance of 3m.
7		Immersion up to 1 m	Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion)	Test duration: 30 minutes. Immersion at depth of 1m
8		Immersion beyond 1 m	The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects	Test duration: continuous immersion in water. Depth specified by manufacturer

The question of an IP rating could have a large impact on your business as it could mean the difference between your products arriving undamaged on site and will determine the longevity and accuracy of your tools in the long run. The better your IP rating the more versatile your device will be and when working on a job site where the possibility for a tool to be exposed to moisture and dust is high it is worthwhile to invest in a digital tool that has a high level of protection to ensure your tool can be relied on for its accuracy. Known as tough performers, STABILA’s range of products have various protection ratings associated with them to ensure long-term durability and will save you money in the long term as you won’t need to replace your tools or redo jobs because the measurements were out. 

Investing in a STABILA tool means not only can you rely on the accuracy of your tool, but also on the robustness needed for the most rigorous jobsites.