How IP Ratings Actually Work
IP stands for Ingress Protection, and it's an international standard, not a marketing term, that rates how well a sealed enclosure keeps out solids and liquids. The rating always has two digits, and each one is tested and certified independently.
The first digit rates protection against solids, dust in particular, on a scale of 0 to 6. A 6 means completely dust-tight, no ingress at all under test conditions. The second digit rates protection against liquids, on a scale of 0 to 9K, covering everything from dripping water to high-pressure jets and temporary submersion. A radio rated IP67 has been tested to both the dust-tight standard and the one-metre submersion standard, independently, in a lab.
Common Ratings and What They Really Mean
| Rating | What It Survives | NZ Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| IP54 | Dust protected (not dust-tight) and splash resistant from any direction | Light rain, dusty workshop, not for outdoor construction or marine use |
| IP65 | Fully dust-tight, protected against low-pressure water jets | Reasonable for sheltered outdoor use, still not submersion-rated |
| IP67 | Fully dust-tight, submersible in 1 metre of water for 30 minutes | The genuine baseline for NZ construction, forestry, farming and marine-adjacent use |
| IP68 | Fully dust-tight, submersible beyond 1 metre or for longer than 30 minutes, exact figure set by the manufacturer | Best choice for sites with standing water, heavy rain exposure, or accidental full immersion risk |
Notice that IP68 doesn't have one universal meaning. Unlike IP67, which is a fixed test (1 metre, 30 minutes), IP68 requires the manufacturer to state their own tested depth and duration beyond that baseline. Always check the actual spec sheet for an IP68 device, since one IP68 radio might be tested to 1.5 metres for an hour, and another to 3 metres.
Marketing Words vs Tested Standards
"Splashproof", "weatherproof", "water-resistant" and "rain-ready" are marketing phrases. None of them are tested standards, and none of them tell you what the device actually survives. A radio can be genuinely splash-resistant without being anywhere close to IP67, and there's no way to know the difference without the actual IP number.
If a product page or brochure doesn't state an IP number, that's worth asking about directly before you buy, particularly if the radio is heading to a construction site, a farm, or anywhere near water.
Genuinely IP67-Rated Radios We Stock
These are radios with a documented, manufacturer-tested IP67 rating, not just tough-sounding marketing copy.
For sites with standing water or a genuine risk of full immersion, such as marine-adjacent work or heavy flood-prone areas, ask our team about IP68-rated options as well. Since IP68 testing depth and duration varies by manufacturer, we'll confirm the exact tested spec against your actual site conditions rather than assume a higher number automatically means better protection for your situation.
Looking After a Waterproof Radio
An IP rating protects a sealed, undamaged device. It doesn't protect a radio with a worn battery door seal, a cracked casing, or an antenna connector that's been cross-threaded. Damage to any seal point can quietly void the entire rating without any visible sign until the radio fails in the field.
- Inspect battery door and antenna seals regularly for wear, cracking, or debris caught in the seal line
- Never charge a radio while it's wet, even a sealed one, since moisture around the charging contacts can still cause corrosion over time
- Rinse salt spray off with fresh water after marine or coastal use, then dry fully before charging
- Replace worn seals and gaskets promptly rather than waiting for a failure to prove there's a problem
