Understanding Rugged Ratings
11 November 2020
Rugged mobile devices aren’t designed and
manufactured like standard ones – they are made to withstand extremes of heat,
humidity, moisture, vibration, shock and impact. This built-in toughness makes rugged
devices perfectly suited to even the most demanding working environments.
But what makes a rugged device truly
rugged? The tech worthy of the ‘rugged’ label must pass specific independent lab
and field tests and achieve industry-standard ratings. These rugged ratings
also serve as a marker of different types of ruggedness, such as moisture
resistance or shock resistance, so understanding them is essential when
sourcing rugged tech for particular requirements.
Here’s a summary of some of the most commonly-used
rugged ratings used to classify rugged mobile devices.
IP ratings
IP ratings – or ‘ingress protection’
ratings – are the most widely used and recognised rugged ratings. IP is a set
of specifications used around the world, and signifies a device’s resilience
and casing seal effectiveness against anything that could cause damage if it
got inside, including liquid, moisture, dirt and dust.
Each IP rating includes two digits – IP54
and IP65, for example. The first digit indicates the level of protection the
device has against solid particles or foreign bodies, while the second denotes
how resistant it is against moisture, ranging from condensation to full
immersion.
In practice, while devices rated IP54 are
considered fully rugged, most industrial environments will benefit more from
rugged devices rated IP65 – capable of total resistance against ingress.
ATEX ratings
A specification devised for dangerous,
potentially explosive working environments, only ATEX certified devices can be used in such settings by law. ATEX certified
rugged tech is widely used in the petrochemical, mining and oil and gas
sectors, as well as many others.
Each rugged device with ATEX certification is classified for use in areas with specific risk
levels, such as Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2 , and so on.
MIL-STD-810
Although it doesn’t
exactly trip off the tongue, this rating is an important one in the world of
rugged mobile devices. It refers to more than one characteristic of ruggedness
and signifies that a compliant device has been tested in a variety of harsh
environments.
These 29 tests are
designed by the US military and cover an extensive criteria, from vibrations
and drops from height, to extremes in temperature and altitude. MIL-STD-810
testing also takes place in a range of adverse natural conditions, including
rain, wind, sand and humidity. Devices with MIL-STD-810 rating are literally
‘combat ready’.
Let us find the right rugged mobile
devices for you
These ratings are just
a few of the many used to indicate a device’s rugged credentials, and without
expert guidance, it can be difficult to understand what to look for. That’s why
our rugged device specialists are on hand to explain the features and
functionality of our handhelds, tablets, truck mounts, wearables and barcode scanners, to help your business identify the right
rugged hardware for your operation.
Supplying our own
rugged devices and a range of industry-leading third-party rugged tech, we’ll
ensure we understand your business and what you’re looking to achieve before
recommending the perfect rugged solution. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - PETER MARSH
Peter joined TouchStar (formally Belgravium) in a sales manager role in 2001. Prior to joining the company, Peter held Partner and National Sales Manager roles within the parcel and logistics industries.
In 2011 Peter was promoted to Sales Director and is now actively involved in promoting the value of TouchStar’s Rugged Mobile Computing solutions to the warehouse, logistics, manufacturing and field service industries. When not involved in the business, Peter is a keen and enthusiastic football and cricket fan.