The Importance and Key Considerations of IP Codes When Choosing Gas Detectors

Many people may misunderstand that "the higher the rating, the better the protection."

However, this is not always the case with "IP codes." The "IP code" indicates the dust and water protection ratings of a product.

While sensitivity and detection range are crucial for gas detectors as safety devices, the IP code should not be overlooked.

In this article, we will introduce the specific significance of IP codes in selecting gas detectors and highlight important points regarding their ruggedness.

The IP code (Ingress Protection) is an international standard defined by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) that indicates how well equipment is protected against solid foreign objects (including dust) and water.

This standard is essential not only for gas detectors but also for a wide range of industrial applications, including waterproof smartphones and outdoor security cameras. The code is typically represented as a two-digit number, such as "IP67." Regarding how to read an IP code, the first characteristic numeral indicates the degrees of protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects.

The second characteristic numeral indicates the degrees of protection against the harmful effects due to water.

The third and fourth letters are optional. Where a characteristic numeral is not required to be specified, it shall be replaced by the letter X.

For example, “IP67” indicates the dust-protected enclosures to numeral 6 and the water-protected enclosures to numeral 7.

There are ratings from 0 to 9, with higher numbers indicating greater water resistance from 0 to 6.The designation up to and including numeral 6 is considered suitable for the exposure to water drops and/or water jets.

On the other hand, the designation of numeral 7 and 8 is a degree of protection against the effects of immersion in water.

Furthermore, an enclosure designated with 9 only has protection from harmful effects by the water projected with high pressure and high temperature.

Thus, an enclosure designated with 7,8 and 9 need not comply with requirements for numeral 6 unless it is multiple coded.

Since some enclosures may meet multiple water resistance levels, such as IP66/67/69, it is necessary to clearly separate and specify the ratings for 0–6, 7–8, and 9.

Gas detectors are used in various industrial settings, which often involve harsh conditions, such as high temperature, humidity, dust, water exposure, and chemical exposure.

IP codes provide one of the indicators that ensure the reliability and durability of gas detectors in these demanding environments. It is crucial to understand which IP code is suitable for your environment.

For example, fine dust is generated in work processes at construction sites, mines, and in coke ovens at steel plants.

Dust, not just for gas detectors but for all precision equipment, can lead to malfunctions or accelerate product deterioration. In the worst-case scenario, it could even cause fires.

If dust enters the internal components of a gas detector, unexpected issues such as sensor malfunctions may occur, leading to incorrect gas detection.

Therefore, gas detectors have to offer high dust protection in any environment. For this reason, in most of Riken Keiki's products, regardless of the application, the rating for solid foreign objects is equivalent to 6 (dust-tight).

In outdoor use or environments like sewage treatment plants, where the risk of immersion or condensation exists, high water resistance is required.

This is because the intrusion of water into a gas detector can negatively affect sensors and electronic circuits. Our products feature the following protection ratings:

For instance, when carrying a portable gas detector in a sewage system, both water jets and immersion in water must be considered in the measurement environment.

On the other hand, when installing fixed gas detectors outdoors, such as around desulfurization units in oil refineries or around exhaust ducts in chemical plants, waterproofing is necessary, but it is assumed that continuous immersion is unlikely to occur in these environments.

In the manufacturing processes of precision products like semiconductors, the environment is maintained in clean rooms, with humidity and dust levels controlled, so dustproof and waterproof capabilities are not required.

We provide optimal solutions that ensure reliable and rapid gas detection in any environment, while prioritizing the safety of workers.

To ensure product ruggedness, we carry out the entire process in-house, from design and sensor performance evaluation to filter production and internal and external testing. This column highlights two of our products with the highest ruggedness ratings.

Despite being one of the smallest and lightest models in the world, the GX-3R/PRO is equipped with an IP66/68 protection rating.

The SD-3 series is a fixed gas detection unit designed to meet the increasing demands for higher performance and multifunctionality, driven by the growing scale and sophistication of facilities like petrochemical plants.

The protection rating is equivalent to IP66/67, and it operates within a temperature range of -40°C to +70°C. In addition to obtaining various explosion-proof certifications from different countries, this gas detector complies with international standards such as EN performance, SIL2, and FM standards, making it a global standard in gas detection.