IP65 / IP67 Ingress Protection

IP65 / IP67 Ingress Protection for Rugged Computers

IP65 and IP67 are ingress-protection ratings defined under IEC 60529 that describe how effectively an enclosure protects internal components against solid particles and water.

Both IP65 and IP67 use a first digit of 6, indicating a dust-tight enclosure.

Their water protection is different:

IP65 addresses protection against water jets.

IP67 addresses protection against temporary immersion.

For rugged tablets, laptops and industrial computers, the correct rating should therefore be selected according to the actual exposure—dust, rain, hose spray, accidental immersion or a combination of these conditions.

CENAVA rugged-computing platforms currently include IP65, IP67 and IP68 configurations for different industrial and field applications. Models such as W14US, W15US and W30NS are IP65, while W109U and W109NS are IP67 platforms.

What Does an IP Rating Mean?

IP stands for Ingress Protection.

IEC 60529 uses an IP code to indicate the degree of protection provided by an enclosure against:

1. Solid foreign objects such as dust
2. Water entering the enclosure

A typical rating looks like:

IP65

or:

IP67

The two numbers should be read independently rather than as one number.

For example:

IP67 = IP 6 + 7

The first digit represents solid-particle protection.

The second digit represents water-ingress protection.

Understanding the First Digit: Dust Protection

For both IP65 and IP67, the first digit is:

6

This is the highest standard solid-particle protection level in the conventional IEC IP scale.

It indicates a dust-tight enclosure.

This is particularly important in environments such as:

• Manufacturing
• Warehouses
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Vehicle maintenance
• Outdoor field service
• Mining support
• Telecommunications
• Logistics

Dust can otherwise enter through enclosure seams, connectors and controls and eventually affect electronic components.

IP65 Meaning

An IP65 device combines:

6 — Dust-tight

with:

5 — Protection against water jets

This means the enclosure has been evaluated for directed water-jet exposure under the applicable IEC 60529 test conditions.

CENAVA's W14US rugged laptop, for example, is rated IP65 and its current product documentation describes this as protection against dust ingress and low-pressure water jets under defined test conditions.

IP65 can therefore be useful for environments involving:

• Rain
• Outdoor field work
• Dust
• Water spray
• Equipment maintenance
• Industrial cleaning around the device
• Construction environments

However, IP65 does not mean the device has been certified for immersion.

IP67 Meaning

An IP67 device combines:

6 — Dust-tight

with:

7 — Protection against temporary immersion

A typical summary of the IPX7 test is temporary immersion in approximately one meter of water for approximately 30 minutes under defined test conditions.

IP67 is therefore particularly relevant where a tablet may be accidentally:

• Dropped into shallow water
• Exposed to flooding
• Placed in wet field environments
• Used around outdoor equipment
• Operated in locations where standing water is possible

CENAVA W109U is currently listed as an IP67 Windows rugged tablet, while W109NS combines IP67 protection with a 10.95-inch Windows platform, Gigabit Ethernet and RS232.

IP65 vs. IP67

The most important difference is the type of water exposure tested.

The correct choice therefore depends on how water reaches the computer.

Is IP67 Better Than IP65?

Not necessarily.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings about IP ratings.

It is tempting to interpret:

67 > 65

and conclude that IP67 automatically includes everything provided by IP65.

That is not how the water portion of IEC 60529 should be interpreted.

IPX5 is a water-jet test.

IPX7 is an immersion test.

These create different stresses on enclosure seals.

A device that has been tested for temporary immersion has not necessarily been tested for directed water jets.

Industry guidance on IEC 60529 therefore notes that a product rated only IP67 should not automatically be assumed to have passed IP65/IPX5 testing. Equipment requiring both may be declared with dual ratings after the relevant tests have been performed.

When Is IP65 Better for the Application?

IP65 may be the more relevant specification where water is expected to arrive as spray or jets rather than immersion.

Examples include:

• Outdoor equipment maintenance
• Construction
• Workshop environments
• Vehicle-service areas
• Rain exposure
• Industrial facilities
• Utility maintenance

For these workflows, resistance to directed water may be more relevant than the ability to survive temporary immersion.

CENAVA W14US and W15US are examples of IP65 rugged laptops designed for field engineering, maintenance and industrial work.

When Is IP67 More Appropriate?

IP67 can be more appropriate where accidental temporary immersion is a realistic risk.

Examples include:

• Utility field work
• Marine-support operations
• Wet outdoor inspections
• Water infrastructure
• Drainage work
• Outdoor service near standing water

W109U and W109NS provide IP67 rugged Windows tablet platforms for this type of mobile industrial deployment.

IP65 Rugged Tablets and Laptops

CENAVA's current portfolio includes several IP65 platforms.

Examples include:

W30NS

W30NS is a 13.3-inch Windows 11 rugged tablet with:

• IP65 protection
• MIL-STD-810H-related 1.22m drop testing
• -20°C to 60°C operating temperature
• 8300mAh removable main battery
• 300mAh backup battery
• Hot-swap capability
• Gigabit Ethernet
• RS232
• HDMI
• USB
• Optional 4G/5G

It is designed for industrial maintenance, equipment communication, vehicle-mounted work and large-screen field-service applications.

W14US

W14US is a 14-inch rugged laptop with:

• IP65
• MIL-STD-810H-related 1.22m drop protection
• -20°C to 60°C operation
• Windows 11 Pro
• Dual 2.5GbE
• RS232
• Four USB-A ports
• Hot-swappable dual batteries

It is intended for field engineering, equipment maintenance and other professional environments.

W15US

W15US provides a larger 15.6-inch form factor while retaining IP65 protection and industrial connectivity.

It is better suited to users who need more screen space for diagnostics, engineering applications and technical documentation.

IP67 Rugged Tablets

CENAVA also provides several IP67 tablet platforms.

W109U

W109U is a 10.95-inch Windows rugged tablet currently listed with:

• IP67 protection
• MIL-STD-810H
• 1.22m drop specification
• 8300mAh removable hot-swap battery
• 300mAh backup battery
• Gigabit RJ45
• RS232
• USB-A
• USB-C
• HDMI
• POGO

It is positioned for diagnostics, vehicle systems and continuous multi-shift operation.

W109NS

W109NS combines:

• Windows 11
• IP67 protection
• MIL-STD-810H-related 1.22m drop
• -20°C to 60°C operating temperature
• 8300mAh removable battery
• Gigabit Ethernet
• RS232
• Optional 4G/5G
• Optional barcode/RFID/NFC modules

It is designed for equipment servicing, industrial maintenance, vehicle work and inspection reporting.

CENAVA's current product portfolio also includes additional IP67 Android and Windows configurations depending on product family.

What About IP68?

CENAVA also offers many IP68 rugged tablets, including W10Y, W10N, A10ST, A80ST, A88ST and A109TB configurations.

IP68 addresses immersion beyond the IPX7 test conditions, but the exact depth and duration associated with an IPX8 rating must be defined by the manufacturer/test specification.

Therefore:

IP68 should not simply be translated as “completely waterproof.”

The actual immersion conditions should be checked for the specific model.

And, just as with IP67, an immersion-oriented rating does not automatically demonstrate every separate jet-test requirement unless those tests were also performed and declared.

IP65 Is Not “65% Waterproof”

IP ratings are sometimes misunderstood as percentages.

IP65 does not mean:

65% waterproof.

IP67 does not mean:

67% waterproof.

The two digits represent two independent protection categories.

For IP65:

6 = solid protection

5 = water protection

For IP67:

6 = solid protection

7 = water protection

This distinction is useful in purchasing specifications because it prevents inappropriate comparisons based only on the apparent numerical value.

Are IP65 and IP67 Dustproof?

Both ratings use a first digit of 6.

This represents a dust-tight enclosure under the relevant IEC 60529 testing.

This level is useful in dusty environments such as:

• Construction
• Warehouses
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture
• Equipment maintenance
• Outdoor inspection

However, field durability also depends on continued maintenance of enclosure seals and port covers.

Are IP65 Devices Waterproof?

“Waterproof” is often too broad a description.

A more precise statement is:

IP65 devices are protected against water jets under defined test conditions.

They are not automatically certified for temporary immersion.

For example, CENAVA describes W14US as dust and water resistant and specifically states that it is not designed for submersion.

This wording is more technically accurate than simply calling the device waterproof.

Are IP67 Devices Waterproof?

IP67 demonstrates temporary immersion protection under specified laboratory conditions.

That does not mean:

• Unlimited underwater use
• Deep-water operation
• High-pressure washing
• Saltwater resistance
• Chemical resistance
• Permanent immersion

The appropriate wording is therefore:

temporarily immersion-resistant under specified IP67 conditions

rather than “completely waterproof.”

Port Covers Matter

An enclosure can only maintain its intended ingress protection when seals and protective components are used correctly.

Rugged devices may include covers over:

• USB
• Ethernet
• RS232
• HDMI
• SIM
• TF/microSD
• Charging connectors

CENAVA explicitly notes for W14US that port covers must be properly closed to maintain its IP65 protection.

This principle is important across rugged computing systems.

An open connector cover can change the effective protection of the device during field use.

Removable Batteries and IP Protection

Removable-battery systems require carefully designed seals and mechanical interfaces.

Devices such as W109NS combine a removable 8300mAh battery with an IP67 rugged enclosure. CENAVA describes its battery compartment as reinforced and sealed for repeated field use.

When servicing removable batteries:

• Inspect the seal
• Remove dirt
• Fully seat the battery
• Lock the battery correctly
• Avoid damaging gasket surfaces

Ingress protection depends on maintaining the complete enclosure.

IP Rating and Device Aging

An IP rating describes a tested product condition.

Real devices may experience:

• Repeated drops
• UV exposure
• Worn seals
• Repeated battery changes
• Connector-cover wear
• Chemical cleaning
• High and low temperatures

These factors can affect enclosure condition over time.

For long-term industrial fleets, routine physical inspection should therefore include:

• Port covers
• Rubber seals
• Battery doors
• Gaskets
• Chassis damage

Rugged design improves environmental resistance, but it does not eliminate normal wear.

IP Protection and Temperature Changes

Temperature cycling can create additional stress on enclosure materials.

A rugged computer may move between:

• Cold storage and warm loading docks
• Air-conditioned vehicles and hot outdoor areas
• Winter outdoor sites and heated buildings

Seals, battery compartments and connectors can all experience expansion and contraction.

For this reason, IP protection and wide-temperature capability should be evaluated together rather than treated as completely unrelated specifications.

CENAVA W30NS combines IP65 with -20°C to 60°C operation, while W109NS combines IP67 with the same published operating-temperature range.

IP Rating and Condensation

An IP rating describes water ingress testing, but condensation introduces a different operating challenge.

Moving a cold tablet into a warm humid environment can create moisture on the display and enclosure.

For cold-chain applications, users should therefore consider:

• IP protection
• Operating temperature
• Wet-hand touch
• Glove touch
• Charging conditions

rather than selecting a device based only on its IP code.

IP65/IP67 and Rain

Both IP65 and IP67 rugged devices may be appropriate for many outdoor workflows, but the exact exposure pattern matters.

For normal rain and field work:

• IP65 offers water-jet-oriented protection
• IP67 provides temporary immersion protection

If the device must operate under unusual spray pressure or prolonged immersion, the required test condition should be specified rather than assuming either rating covers every possible scenario.

IP Protection and Washdown

Industrial users sometimes clean equipment with water hoses.

This is exactly where understanding IP65 vs. IP67 becomes important.

An IP65 rating directly addresses water jets.

An IP67 rating addresses temporary immersion.

Because the tests differ, a procurement specification requiring washdown should state the actual water-jet requirement instead of simply requesting “IP67 or higher.”

IEC 60529-oriented industry guidance explicitly notes that immersion ratings are not automatically substitutes for jet ratings.

IP Protection and Salt Water

IP65 or IP67 should not automatically be interpreted as salt-spray or marine-corrosion resistance.

Water-ingress resistance and corrosion resistance are separate requirements.

Marine applications may additionally require evaluation of:

• Salt spray
• Connector materials
• Fasteners
• Coatings
• Galvanic corrosion
• Environmental certification

A tablet surviving freshwater ingress testing may still require additional material considerations for long-term offshore deployment.

IP Protection and Chemicals

IEC 60529 ratings describe ingress protection involving water under defined conditions.

They do not automatically prove resistance to:

• Alcohol
• Solvents
• Fuels
• Oils
• Acids
• Alkalis
• Disinfectants

Chemical-resistance requirements should therefore be evaluated separately.

This is particularly important in:

• Healthcare
• Chemical manufacturing
• Oil and gas
• Food processing
• Automotive workshops

IP65/IP67 vs. MIL-STD-810H

These two specifications address different risks.

IP65/IP67

primarily describe ingress protection.

MIL-STD-810H

addresses defined environmental test methods such as drop, vibration and temperature-related stresses depending on the tests performed.

A device can have a high IP rating and still lack adequate mechanical drop protection.

Conversely, a product can survive drop testing while having limited water protection.

CENAVA W14US combines IP65 with MIL-STD-810H-related 1.22m drop testing, while W109U combines IP67 with MIL-STD-810H-related rugged protection.

These specifications complement each other.

IP65/IP67 vs. ATEX and IECEx

Ingress protection should also not be confused with explosion protection.

IP65/IP67 address dust and water entering the enclosure.

ATEX/IECEx address potential ignition risks in explosive atmospheres.

An IP67 tablet is therefore not automatically suitable for Zone 1 or Zone 2 hazardous areas.

Oil and gas, petrochemical, mining and combustible-dust environments may require an appropriately certified hazardous-area configuration.

IP and Ex certification should be evaluated independently.

IP Rating vs. Drop Resistance

IP protection does not indicate how far a tablet can be dropped.

A device rated IP67 may still be mechanically fragile unless additional rugged construction and drop testing are specified.

For field tablets, evaluate both:

Ingress protection

and:

Mechanical ruggedness

CENAVA W109NS, for example, combines IP67 with a stated MIL-STD-810H 1.22m drop specification.

IP Rating vs. Screen Durability

IP protection also does not describe screen scratch resistance.

A device can be highly sealed but still require appropriate cover glass for industrial handling.

For rugged computing applications, screen specifications can include:

• Glass structure
• Surface hardness
• Anti-fingerprint coating
• Glove touch
• Wet-hand touch

All of these characteristics should be evaluated separately from the IP rating.

IP65 Rugged Computers for Manufacturing

Manufacturing environments often involve:

• Dust
• Oil mist
• Routine cleaning
• Material debris
• Machine vibration

An IP65 rugged computer can provide an appropriate level of enclosure protection when immersion is not a normal hazard.

W30NS is an example of an IP65 tablet designed for equipment communication, industrial maintenance and production data entry.

IP65 Rugged Laptops for Field Engineering

Field engineers frequently need a traditional keyboard and multiple physical interfaces.

IP65 rugged laptops such as W14US and W15US provide:

• Physical keyboard
• Windows 11 Pro
• Multiple USB ports
• Dual Ethernet
• RS232
• Hot-swappable batteries
• Industrial environmental protection

This makes IP65 particularly useful where the primary risks are dust, rain and spray rather than accidental submersion.

IP67 Rugged Tablets for Field Service

Field technicians frequently carry tablets between:

• Vehicles
• Machinery
• Outdoor equipment
• Customer sites
• Utility infrastructure

An IP67 tablet provides dust-tight construction together with temporary-immersion protection.

W109U and W109NS combine this enclosure protection with Windows and industrial connectivity for field-service applications.

IP67 Tablets for Utilities

Water, electricity and telecommunications workers may operate near:

• Rain
• Mud
• Standing water
• Underground infrastructure
• Outdoor cabinets

An IP67 rugged tablet can be appropriate when accidental temporary immersion is part of the risk profile.

Useful supporting features include:

• High-brightness display
• GPS/GNSS
• 4G/5G
• Glove touch
• Long battery life

The IP rating should form one part of the complete field-device specification.

IP Protection for Construction

Construction devices face simultaneous exposure to:

• Dust
• Rain
• Concrete debris
• Mud
• Drops
• Sunlight

IP65 or IP67 addresses only part of this environment.

A construction tablet should also be evaluated for:

• Drop resistance
• Operating temperature
• Display brightness
• Glove touch
• Battery runtime

Selecting the highest IP number alone does not guarantee the best construction tablet.

IP Protection for Vehicle-Mounted Computers

Vehicle-mounted equipment may encounter:

• Dust
• Rain
• Road spray
• Vibration
• Temperature changes

IP65 can be highly relevant for exposed equipment where spray is the primary concern.

IP67 can be useful where temporary immersion or standing water is a realistic risk.

Mounting location should therefore influence the IP requirement.

IP Protection for Warehouses

Many warehouses do not require immersion protection.

Common hazards include:

• Dust
• Loading-dock rain
• Spills
• Repeated handling

In these environments, the required IP level should be selected according to actual exposure rather than automatically purchasing the highest rating.

The device's battery, scanner, Wi-Fi and ergonomic design may ultimately have a larger productivity impact than moving from one IP level to another.

IP Protection for Cold Storage

Cold-chain deployments need more than ingress protection.

Workers may experience:

• Condensation
• Gloves
• Freezer temperatures
• Wet surfaces

Consider the combination of:

IP rating + wide temperature + glove touch + wet-hand touch + battery performance

rather than treating IP65/IP67 as a complete cold-storage specification.

How to Choose Between IP65 and IP67

1. Identify the Dust Environment

Both IP65 and IP67 provide dust-tight protection because both use the first digit 6.

2. Identify How Water Reaches the Device

Ask whether the main exposure is:

• Rain
• Hose spray
• Water jets
• Standing water
• Temporary immersion

3. Do Not Select by Number Alone

IP67 is not simply an upgraded IP65 water-jet test.

4. Define the Actual Test Requirement

For industrial procurement, specify whether you require:

Water-jet resistance

or:

Temporary immersion resistance

or both.

5. Evaluate Port Usage

If workers frequently open USB, Ethernet or charging covers, consider how that affects real-world protection.

6. Check Removable Components

Battery doors and removable storage must be properly sealed.

7. Evaluate Drop Resistance

Add the appropriate mechanical ruggedness requirement.

8. Check Temperature

Include minimum and maximum operating temperatures.

9. Consider Chemicals and Corrosion Separately

Do not assume the IP rating addresses them.

10. Verify the Exact Model

Do not transfer one model's IP rating to another model in the same product family.

Why Choose CENAVA IP-Rated Rugged Computers?

IP65 Rugged Platforms

CENAVA offers IP65 tablets and laptops for industrial environments where dust and water-jet exposure are important.

IP67 Rugged Platforms

IP67 Windows and Android configurations are available for applications requiring temporary-immersion protection.

IP68 Rugged Tablets

Many CENAVA compact and 10-inch rugged tablets provide IP68 configurations for more demanding immersion requirements.

Windows and Android

Different operating systems allow enclosure protection to be matched with the required enterprise software.

Industrial Interfaces

Selected IP-rated devices integrate:

• RJ45
• RS232
• USB
• HDMI
• POGO

MIL-STD-810H Rugged Designs

Selected products combine IP protection with documented 1.22m-class drop testing.

Wide-Temperature Operation

Several platforms combine ingress protection with approximately -20°C to 60°C operation.

High-Brightness Displays

Outdoor-oriented models offer high-brightness display configurations.

OEM and ODM Integration

For qualified projects, CENAVA can evaluate enclosure protection together with interfaces, batteries, displays, communication modules and other hardware requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About IP65 and IP67

1. What does IP65 mean?

IP65 means the enclosure is dust-tight and has been tested for protection against water jets under the applicable test conditions.

2. What does IP67 mean?

IP67 means the enclosure is dust-tight and has been tested for temporary immersion under applicable IEC 60529 conditions.

3. Is IP67 better than IP65?

Not in every respect.

IP65 and IP67 use different water tests.

IP65 addresses jets.

IP67 addresses temporary immersion.

Choose according to the actual exposure.

4. Does IP67 automatically include IP65?

Not necessarily.

Immersion testing and water-jet testing are different.

If both are required, verify that the product has been evaluated for both conditions.

5. Are IP65 and IP67 both dustproof?

Both use the first digit 6, representing a dust-tight enclosure under the applicable IEC test.

6. Can an IP65 device be submerged?

IP65 does not establish temporary-immersion protection.

Choose an immersion-rated configuration where that risk exists.

7. Can an IP67 device be washed with a hose?

Do not assume this from IP67 alone.

IPX7 is an immersion test rather than an IPX5 water-jet test.

8. Is IP67 completely waterproof?

No.

It addresses temporary immersion under defined conditions rather than unlimited underwater operation.

9. Is IP65 enough for outdoor use?

It can be appropriate for many outdoor industrial applications involving dust, rain and water spray.

Other requirements such as temperature, sunlight readability, drops and battery life should also be considered.

10. Which CENAVA products are IP65?

Current examples include W14US, W15US and W30NS, among other configurations.

11. Which CENAVA products are IP67?

Current examples include W109U and W109NS, together with additional IP67 Android/Windows configurations in the CENAVA portfolio.

12. Does IP65 or IP67 mean the device is drop-proof?

No.

Ingress protection and mechanical drop resistance are separate specifications.

Look for documented drop testing such as applicable MIL-STD-810H methods.

13. Does an IP67 tablet meet ATEX or IECEx requirements?

No.

Ingress protection and hazardous-area explosion protection are different certification systems.

ATEX/IECEx requirements must be verified independently.

14. Does an IP rating cover saltwater or chemical resistance?

Not automatically.

Corrosion and chemical compatibility require separate evaluation.

15. Which IP rating should I choose?

Choose based on the real hazard:

Dust + water jets → consider IP65

Dust + accidental temporary immersion → consider IP67

More demanding immersion → evaluate the exact IP68 specification

Jets + immersion → require evidence that both applicable tests have been passed

Then add the necessary drop, temperature, display, battery and hazardous-location requirements separately.

Reading an IP Rating

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings, defined by IEC 60529, use two digits. The first digit rates protection against solids (0–6), the second against liquids (0–9). An IP67 tablet is therefore fully dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion.

Why Sealing Quality Differs Between Brands

An IP certificate is only as good as the sealing architecture behind it. True IP67 devices seal every seam with gaskets and O-rings, use waterproof membrane vents over speakers and microphones, and pot their connectors. CENAVA rugged computers are sealed at the enclosure, port and key-membrane level so the rating survives years of gasket compression, thermal cycling and drops — not just the day of testing.

IP Rating + MIL-STD-810 Together

IP ratings say nothing about drops or vibration — that is MIL-STD-810 territory. Professional deployments should require both: IP65/IP67 for water and dust, plus MIL-STD-810 for mechanical shock. CENAVA rugged tablets are engineered to both standards — the exact test scope is documented per model.