What is an IP Rating for Heavy Equipment Controls?

For equipment manufacturers, your machinery is your reputation. Every component you select needs to withstand the rigors of tough environments, from dusty construction sites to high-pressure wash-downs. When it comes to electronic controls, one of the most critical specifications is the Ingress Protection (IP) rating.

What is an IP Rating?

Defined by international standards, such as IEC 60529 and ISO 20653, IP ratings classify the degree of protection an electrical enclosure provides against the intrusion of foreign objects (like dust and debris) and moisture (from drips, sprays, and submersion).

The rating consists of two digits:

• First Digit (Solids): Ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (completely dust-tight).

• Second Digit (Liquids): Ranges from 0 (no protection) to 8, with an additional 9K rating for high-pressure, high-temperature washdown applications.

Imagine a telehandler operating in a dusty quarry, or a boom lift working through a sudden downpour. If the electronic controls are not properly sealed, dust and moisture can penetrate the housing, leading to:

• Corrosion of internal components.

• Short circuits and electrical failure.

• Inaccurate or unresponsive controls.

These failures result in immediate operational downtime, costly field repairs, and damage to your reputation. Choosing a control with a low or unspecified IP rating is a risk that can have significant financial and operational consequences.

At Bailey, we understand that your equipment needs to perform flawlessly in the toughest environments. That’s why our products are designed and rigorously tested to meet some of the highest IP ratings in the industry. This commitment to quality ensures that when you integrate our controls, you are building in reliability from the start.

Let's look at a few examples from our product lineup:

Endurance Series Joystick: IP69K Protection

The Endurance Series is built for the most extreme applications. Its IP69K rating signifies that it is not only completely dust-tight but can also withstand powerful, high-temperature water jets. This makes it ideal for equipment exposed to frequent high-pressure washdown, such as municipal, agricultural, and mobile industrial applications. This level of protection ensures that no matter how harsh the cleaning protocol, the joystick's performance remains uncompromised.

Elevate and Harvest Series Joysticks: IP67 Sealing

Developed for scissor lifts and MEWPs, and agricultural machinery, the Elevate and Harvest Series both feature robust IP67 rated electronics. For an operator in the field, this means a sudden rainstorm or extremely dusty conditions won't lead to equipment failure.

Demand and Precision Series: IP67 Reliability

Similarly, our Demand Series for waste collection vehicles and Precision Series for telehandlers are fully sealed to IP67. These industries demand fade-free performance and intuitive control, day in and day out. The high IP rating ensures that dirt, grime, and moisture associated with these applications do not affect the internal electronics, providing consistent and reliable operation.

Beyond the Rating: A Commitment to Durability

While a high IP rating is a critical benchmark, it is part of a broader commitment to building durable and reliable products. For our Sure Grip Controls products, our designs incorporate:

• High-Quality Materials: We use high-impact polymers and robust components that resist chemical, salt, and UV degradation.

• Rigorous Testing: Our controls undergo extensive testing for EMC immunity, temperature tolerance (-40°C to 85°C), and operational longevity, often rated for over 20 million operations.

• Product Architecture: Many of our controls are designed with multiple layers of protection: primary sealing through enclosures, gaskets, or boots, with secondary protection via potted electronics. Designed to maintain sealing integrity over millions of cycles under real-world operating conditions.  

Don’t let environmental factors dictate your equipment's reliability. Build with confidence by integrating controls engineered to endure.

Explore our full range of high-performance electronic controls and find the right solution for your next project.