EV Tech Simplified: Battery IP Ratings Explained

  • Published March 27, 2022
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Battery packs come with their own ratings for water and dust proofing, and we explain what they’re all about

Battery packs are one of the most crucial components in an Electric Vehicle (EV). They produce electricity via chemical reactions, so it’s imperative that the casing of such packs need to be strong enough to withstand external agents including dust, water and other particles. The protection level is denoted by what’s called an Ingress Protection (IP) rating.

IP ratings consist of two digits, the first of which is used to denote protection against dust and other solid particles, whereas the second digit represents water and other fluid based particles. Here’s a table of what each digit signifies:

Ratings For Solid-based Particles

Ratings For Fluid-based Particles

1 - Protection against objects greater than 50mm. 

1 - Protection against drops of water falling vertically, with limited ingress without harming the device as long as the flow is vertical.

2 - Protection against objects bigger than 12.5mm. 

2 - Uses an enclosure that’s 15 degrees off the vertical, and protects against water drops falling vertically. Still allows for limited ingress, but without causing harm.

3 - Protection against objects bigger than 2.5mm.

3 - Protects against water ingression in the form of a spray up to 60 degrees from the vertical. Still allows for limited ingress but without causing any harm. 

4 - Protection against objects bigger than 1mm.

4 - Protects against water splashes from all directions, with limited ingress, without harming the device.

5 - Protection against dust particles, and the object’s operation isn’t compromised even if there’s slight dust intrusion.

5 - Protection against jets of water, with limited ingress, without harming the device.

6 - Completely dust-proof.

6 - Protection against powerful jets of water, with limited ingress without harming the device.

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7 - Watertight to the level where it can be immersed in a body of water between 15cm and 1m for up to 30 min. There would still be limited ingress but without causing any harm.

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8 - Watertight to the level where it can be immersed to greater depths, that too for longer periods. The exact parameters will be mentioned in the device that has this rating, but the water dept is usually around three metres.

These are the commonly used parameters for IP ratings. Popular electric two-wheelers such as the Ather 450X and the Tork Kratos come with an IP67-rated battery pack, which means it can wade through small bodies of water (read slightly flooded roads) for short durations.

When it comes to electric cars, the Tata Nexon EV and the Tigor EV also come with IP67-rated motor and battery pack. However, the more premium MG ZS EV comes with IP69K certification for the battery pack. The rating ‘9K’ is used to denote devices that come with water protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays, water or steam washes. This offers the highest level of protection, and is perfect for use in automotive batteries and motors. So if you’re buying an EV, keep an eye on the motor and battery pack’s IP ratings as it gives a clear idea about whether the powertrain can withstand monsoons. Knowledge about IP ratings will come in handy as it is even used in other electronic devices.

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