Distinguishing Waterproof Ratings of Electric Cylinders
The waterproof ratings of electric cylinders are primarily based on IP (Ingress Protection) ratings.
This is an internationally recognized standard (IEC 60529), typically consisting of two digits representing
dustproof (the first digit) and waterproof (the second digit) capabilities. The second digit specifically
indicates the waterproof level; the higher the number, the better the waterproof performance.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the waterproof ratings (the second digit) in the IP code:
Waterproof Rating (Second Digit of IP Code)
Number | Protection Rating Description | Specific Protection Capability | Example of Applicable
Scenarios
0 | No Protection | No waterproof protection. | Dry indoor environment.
1 | Drip Protection | Vertically falling water droplets (such as condensation) will not cause damage.
| Environments where direct contact with water sources is avoided.
2 | Tilt-Drip Protection | Vertical dripping water will not cause damage when the equipment is tilted
within a 15-degree range. | Slightly humid indoor environment.
3 | Spray Protection | Prevents the intrusion of sprayed water from all directions (maximum angle 60
degrees). | Environments where slight water splashes are possible.
4. Splash Protection: Prevents water ingress from splashes from all directions. Suitable for outdoor or
indoor environments with splashing water.
5. Low-Pressure Water Protection: Prevents low-pressure water jets (such as ordinary tap rinsing) from
all directions. Suitable for applications requiring low-pressure water rinsing, such as food processing
machinery.
6. High-Pressure Water Protection: Prevents high-pressure water jets from all directions. Suitable for
applications requiring cleaning with a powerful water gun.
7. Short-Term Immersion Protection: Allows the equipment to operate normally under specific pressure
and time conditions (typically immersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes). Suitable for situations
where accidental falls into water or short-term immersion may occur.
8. Continuous Immersion Protection: Allows the equipment to operate continuously under water
pressure and time specified by the manufacturer (typically more stringent than IPX7 conditions, with
deeper water or longer duration). Suitable for underwater operations, marine applications, and extreme
environments with frequent immersion.
Practical Application Examples: In practical applications, common protection levels for electric cylinders
include:
IP54: Dustproof (not completely sealed), splash protection. Suitable for general industrial environments.
IP65: Fully dustproof, withstands low-pressure water jets. Suitable for outdoor or industrial applications
requiring washing.
IP67: Fully dustproof, can withstand short-term immersion in water. Suitable for applications where
accidental immersion may occur or where higher waterproofing is required.
IP68: Fully dustproof, can withstand prolonged immersion in water. Suitable for underwater operations,
marine applications, and other extremely humid environments.
When selecting an electric cylinder, the required IP rating should be determined based on the actual
needs of the installation environment to ensure the equipment can withstand the corresponding
moisture and dust exposure.
