IP Rating as a Critical Requirement When Buying Your Reversing Cameras

If you are a fan of the latest flagship smartphones offered by top brands today, you know that the devices’ durability and waterproof rating are critical. This is the main reason why most flagships are now IP certified which is considered a layer of protection against water or the elements. And the presence of these certifications often boosts up the value of the phones, making this highly-sought after in the market. Now, the same certifications also work for other consumer products including the cameras of your reversing camera systems. If the reversing camera has an IP certification, it only means that it has been checked and ready for the job on the road.

But it does not mean that a camera with an IP certification should be immediately purchased. Not all IP ratings are the same- some reversing cameras have higher certifications compared with the rest. So if you are serious about your reversing camera systems, then it’s best that you know the IP rating of the camera before making a purchase.

How Does the IP Rating Work for Cameras?

The IP Rating or Code is actually a rating system that’s assigned to camera enclosures and not the camera itself. Many camera manufacturers will voluntarily submit their products for testing for the standards and once these are assessed, they can publish the IP rating in the product packaging. And since this is a voluntary system, it means that there will be cameras in the market that may be weatherproof but will not carry an IP rating or certification.

The IP rating is often composed of two numbers, for example, the 7”Dash Mount MDVR Reversing 4-camera system from PPA Car audio comes with an IP67 Rating. The first digit represents protection against solid objects like dust. The rating ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (full protection against dust). This means that the camera is fully protected from small objects and dust. The second digit in the rating refers to protection against liquid, including water. This time, the range of scores is from 0 to 8. You want to avoid cameras with a 0 rating as it indicates non-protection. You are safer with a rating of 6 to 8, with 8 offering protection from immersion beyond 1 meter. This means that a rating of 7 is relatively good, with safe for immersion up to 1 meter.

In short, the IP rating that you can find in the packaging of the reversing camera is a great tool that can help you in shopping. Whenever possible, always look for a camera system with IP certification, with an IP67 rating at least. This should give you peace of mind knowing that your camera will work even in demanding situations.