Battery Chargers and Ingression Protection (IP) Ratings
Waterproof chargers are required for powering and charging electronic equipment in various industries, which operate in a wide range of different environments. Examples of some of these applications include marine, industrial, and emergency medical aid, allowing the charger or power supply and by extension the complete system to operate despite regular exposure to water, grime and dust. For the aforementioned emergency medical aid it is worth remembering that additional medical certification will also be required. An example of this is the collaboration between Mascot and EpiGuard on the EpiShuttle, an isolation unit, which sets a new standard in patient transport, particularly for highly contagious individuals and hazardous environments.
At Mascot, we have been seeing a steadily increasing demand for electronic devices that can withstand harsh environments, and therefore need an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. An IP rating provides confidence that a charger will perform in a given environment without fail, helping to mitigate risks. Mascot waterproof chargers, such as the Mascot Model 2240 LA, are designed to meet the latest requirements of IP67 certification.
An IP code corresponds to international standards, this in turn allows buyers and users to have confidence in an electrical item in a specific environment or application. The first digit of the IP rating refers to the products resistance to solid materials. The scale runs from 0 to 6, with 0 being no protection and 6 being complete protection from dust. It’s important to consider the operational environment when deciding what IP rating to go for. An IP rating of IP3X might be completely adequate for a controlled manufacturing environment but would however not be suitable for an outside environment with fine particulate. An IP rating of IP6X means complete protection from dust.
The second digit of the IP rating refers to the products resistance to water. The scale ranges from 0 to 9k, with 0 being no protection and 9k being protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays. This means that an IP67-rated enclosure is completely dust proof and can withstand water jets and water immersion, with depths ranging from 15 cm to 100 cm for a maximum of 30 minutes.
If a charger fails, the consequences can be catastrophic; that's why reliability is one of the core principles at Mascot. From the careful selection of materials to the intricacies of circuitry design, we manufacture each unit with meticulous attention to detail. Rigorous testing procedures and robust quality control measures ensure that each Mascot charger adheres to these standards. Mascot's chargers have proven themselves in various challenging applications, making them a trusted choice for powering devices.
More information about Mascot products can be found at www.mascot.no