Waterproof Protection
Waterproofing refers to the complete prevention of water from penetrating a surface. In common usage, the terms "waterproof" and "water-resistant" are often used interchangeably to mean "preventing water," but there is a subtle difference.
"Waterproof" means that water cannot pass through at all, while "water-resistant" means that only a certain degree of water can be prevented from passing. Specifically, the IP standard categorizes the strength of both waterproof and water-resistant properties.
For electrical equipment, the different uses of "waterproof" and "water-resistant" are defined in the IP Standard.
The IP (Ingress Protection) standard, established by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), is the international standard for evaluating the water and dust resistance of electrical devices. The waterproof rating is represented as IPX▲, where the number ▲ indicates the level of protection. The higher the number, the better the protection. If only IPX▲ is specified, it means that only the waterproof performance is indicated.
The table below lists the standards used to evaluate the IPX▲ protection level. The number in the left column corresponds to the ▲ in the IPX▲ rating. The higher the number, the better the protection.
Waterproof protection levels against harmful effects of water entering from the outside:
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | No special protection. |
| 1 | Water droplets falling vertically will not cause harmful effects (Drip Type I). |
| 2 | Water droplets falling within a 15-degree range from vertical will not cause harmful effects (Drip Type II). |
| 3 | Water droplets falling within a 60-degree range from vertical will not cause harmful effects (Rainproof). |
| 4 | Water splashes from any direction will not cause harmful effects (Splashproof). |
| 5 | Water sprays from any direction will not cause harmful effects (Sprayproof). |
| 6 | Strong water jets from any direction will not cause harmful effects (Jetproof). |
| 7 | Short immersion in water under a certain pressure will not leak (Immersion Type). |
| 8 | Continuous immersion in water will not cause leakage (Submersion Type). |
(Reference: JQA - Japan Quality Assurance Organization, "IP Waterproof and Dustproof Testing")
The model names in parentheses at the end of the descriptions are from previous regulations and have now been removed for simplicity.
According to the table, products labeled "waterproof" typically have a rating of IPX6 or higher, and those labeled "completely waterproof" are rated IPX8.
Thus, while waterproof and water-resistant are evaluated based on the same standard—"the ability to prevent water from passing through"—they differ in terms of the level of protection.
In summary, the distinction between water-repellent, waterproof, and water-resistant lies in the fact that water-repellent is a surface property, while waterproof and water-resistant are properties of the material as a whole.
Waterproof Processing is a process carried out to prevent water from penetrating.
This includes using impermeable materials such as rubber or vinyl, or applying impermeable substances to materials that are normally water-permeable to enhance their ability to prevent water intrusion.
Waterproof processing can completely prevent water from penetrating and protects the interior of the material. However, materials with waterproof mechanisms may lose their effectiveness over time.
Advantages:
Increased Durability
The primary advantage of waterproof processing is enhanced durability. It is especially effective for materials that are adversely affected by moisture, such as building materials like wood and fabric products.
Stain Prevention
Waterproof processing involves applying a protective coating that prevents dirt from penetrating the material, making it less likely to get dirty. Since moisture cannot permeate the material, the growth of mold and bacteria is also inhibited.
Disadvantages:
Moisture Accumulation
While waterproof processing prevents moisture from entering from the outside, it also prevents moisture from escaping from within. As a result, water vapor can accumulate, leading to trapped humidity.
