Podcast: Understanding IP ratings for industrial networking devices

In harsh industrial environments, reliable network connectivity is paramount. However, dust, moisture, and extreme conditions can wreak havoc on sensitive electronic equipment, leading to costly downtime and operational disruptions. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, New Equipment Digest's Editor-in-Chief, Laura Davis, dives into the world of IP67-rated network devices and why understanding the IP rating system is essential for selecting the right industrial networking device.

This information was originally written by Henry Martel, a field applications engineer at Antaira Technologies, a company that manufactures industrial networking and communication solutions. Whether you're specifying network devices for a harsh environment, upgrading existing infrastructure, or simply looking to understand the critical role of ingress protection, this episode provides the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and ensure network reliability.

Below is an excerpt from the transcript:

Dust and water are the enemies of sensitive electronic components. Once inside a device enclosure, there's a possibility that over time it will corrode and deteriorate critical components, leading to overheating and eventual malfunction. Prevention relies on the enclosure's sealing effectiveness. So, how can we determine whether an enclosure suits the industrial environment in which it's deployed?

Enter the International Electrotechnical Commission (or the IEC). In 1975, the IEC created the IP rating system (which stands for Ingress Protection), to gauge a device enclosure's ability to keep out liquids and solids. Compared to ambiguous marketing terms like “waterproof” or “sealed,” the IP rating gives prospective buyers precise information regarding how well the enclosure will guard against the intrusion of external elements. Industrial and network security device manufacturers use IP ratings extensively. A certified IP rating legitimizes an industrial network device and allows manufacturers to claim the level of protection their product delivers confidently. Manufacturers do not conduct their IP certification. Rather, devices are tested by independent companies, such as Underwriters Laboratories (known as UL), by performing a series of trials that replicate real-world conditions.

Understanding IP ratings can help you make informed decisions about where to deploy electronic devices. We're going to take a close look at the IEC's IP rating system. Specifically, we'll explore the significance of the IP67 rating when choosing an industrial networking device for factories, outdoor installations, and remote sites exposed to environmental risks such as dust, humidity, and water. By understanding the IP rating system, procurement specialists can effectively evaluate and compare different industrial networking devices, enabling them to choose the most suitable solutions for their operational requirements.

To start, let's discuss industrial networking device engineering. Industrial networking refers to the use of computer networks in industrial settings, such as manufacturing plants, oil refineries, and power generation facilities. These networks are designed to provide reliable and secure communication between devices and systems, enabling efficient and safe operation of industrial processes. Industrial computer networks typically involve wired and wireless network technologies, including Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks.

In industrial networking, network devices are critical in connecting networks and systems, managing data traffic, and ensuring network security. These network devices include industrial routers and industrial Ethernet switches. Industrial networks also rely on network protocols such as TCP/IP to enable communication between device networks, data packets, and systems. By leveraging these network technologies, industrial networks can support various applications, including real-time monitoring and control, data analysis, remote access, and digital data.

About the Podcast
Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast offers news and information for the people who make, store and move things and those who manage and maintain the facilities where that work gets done. Manufacturers from chemical producers to automakers to machine shops can listen for critical insights into the technologies, economic conditions and best practices that can influence how to best run facilities to reach operational excellence.