When selecting a linear actuator for a project, there are many different things to consider. Stroke, speed, physical dimensions, and force requirements are the most common, but there are other things that you may need to account for when choosing an actuator to include in your design. Some customers require their actuators to be dustproof, waterproof, or water-resistant. These customers typically want to know what our actuators carry for an IP rating.
IP Rating Meaning
IP, which stands for International Protection Marking (or Ingress Protection Marking), is a universally recognized system of rating the degree of protection provided against intrusion for mechanical casings and, in our case, electrical devices. Simply put, it's a rating for how resistant a product is to water and dust.
How IP Rating Works
Simply put, an item that carries an IP rating will have the letters 'IP' followed by two numbers, for example, IP24. There are other designations that can follow the numbers; these represent additional, more specific testing. For the purposes of electronic devices, just understanding the basic numbers will do just fine. There is a drop-test component to the IP numbers as well, but at this time it is not yet widely used.
What the Numbers in an IP Rating Mean
The first number indicates how much protection the enclosure provides against foreign objects. This could mean parts, wires, or dust. This is rated on a scale from 0 through 6, with zero being no protection at all, and 6 being completely dust tight.
The second number represents the level of protection that the enclosure offers against the ingress of water. This is rated on a scale from 0-8, with zero being no protection whatsoever and 9 being protected against close-range, high-pressure, high-temperature spray downs.
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What are the Extra Letters at the End of an IP Rating?
In addition to the two main digits in an IP rating, you may also encounter extra letters at the end, which provide more specific information about the product's protection level. These letters offer details such as resistance to oil, high voltage, or even weather conditions like extreme cold. For instance, the letter 'F' indicates resistance to oil, while 'H' signifies high voltage protection. These additional markers can be crucial for ensuring that the actuator meets the unique demands of your specific application, offering peace of mind that the device will perform reliably under specialized conditions.
Why Are IP Ratings Important?
You don't want to buy a linear actuator, or any electrical device, that cannot withstand the conditions that it will be subjected to. Understanding how IP ratings work is important to make sure that you choose a device that offers adequate or superior protection to what you require.
Do Actuonix Actuators Carry an IP Rating?
Yes - all of our rod actuators carry an IP rating of 54. The solid object rating of 5 means that our actuators can be expected to protect against all but a very limited ingress of dust, which should not affect the operation of the device.
The moisture rating of 4 means that our devices are protected from water splashes from all directions, but not complete submersion, high-pressure spray, or prolonged exposure.
Conclusion
If you have any questions about our IP ratings or need help choosing an actuator that is appropriate to your application and operating environment, please give us a call. Our sales professionals can help you identify your needs and direct you to the product that will best suit your application. If you require a custom solution, we offer a custom micro actuator design service.
Looking for more information on IP ratings? Check out this Wikipedia article for a more in-depth explanation of how IP ratings work.
Common Questions About IP Ratings
Is it possible to increase the IP rating of my Actuonix actuator?
The best solution for most people is to design a waterproof enclosure to mount your actuator within. While it might change your design, it is a relatively easy and cost effective way to protect your actuator from the elements.
Can you build a custom waterproof actuator?
We offer a custom actuator design service and can absolutely work with you to develop a new device that meets your specifications. Minimum order quantities apply for custom products and vary depending on the level of customization. This is a good option for mid to high volume orders. If you want to talk to us about custom actuators, please reach out to our sales department.
Why do you not offer a fully waterproof actuator?
Good question. There are a couple of reasons that we do not offer a fully waterproof actuator. First is demand. In order to justify the expense associated with developing a new product, there needs to be significant demand for that product. Most underwater applications can be well-served by mounting an actuator in a waterproof enclosure, and that is generally what we advise clients to do. Second, micro actuators are an inherently difficult product to make waterproof. Making a micro actuator fully waterproof would require several design changes including adding a waterproof seal along the shaft which would increase drag and reduce performance. When the shaft extends out from the actuator body, air must enter to fill the space where the shaft was. If an actuator were completely waterproof, it would be airtight, thus creating a vacuum in this space, which would further affect the performance characteristics and longevity of the device.
Explore Actuonix Actuators Today
We hope this article has helped you better understand IP ratings and their importance in selecting an actuator. To find out more about our actuators and explore our full range of products, visit our actuators by model page. As a leading manufacturer and innovator in the micro motion marketplace, Actuonix services companies big and small in a number of industries including aerospace, medical, robotics, and more. Get in touch with us today to submit an order or to submit an inquiry.