Ever wondered ‘What’s Drone IP Ratings’?

Hey there, let’s not get blown away with hazy marketing terms like “water-proof” or “weather-proof”. Instead, let’s look into more authentic assurances like the IP Ratings.

What is an IP Rating?

The idea of IP Ratings was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission; IP is the abbreviated form of Ingress Protection or International Protection. It is a laboratory-certified industrial standard with respect to electronic equipment (or drones, in this context) or an enclosure for electrical equipment. This will help us understand the degree of protection our drones have against the ingression of solid objects, dust, water or even accidental contact (including body parts).

Components of an IP Rating

An IP Rating comprises of ‘IP’ followed by two digits and an optional letter. Let’s break down IP Ratings further:

  • The first digit – a number between 0 and 6 – after ‘IP’ denotes the level of protection a drone has against the ingress of solid objects.
  • The second digit – a number between 0 and 9 – after the ‘IP’ denotes the level of protection a drone has against the ingress of liquids.
  • Ratings containing an ‘X’ instead of any digit in the code denote that the drone is only endorsed for the protection it provides against solid or liquid and not for both.

IP Ratings of Major Drones and Payloads in the Industry

Now that you know how to break down an IP rating, we’ll look at the major market players – Drones and Payloads – in the industry with respect to their Ingress Protection ratings:

DJI M300 RTK – IP45
DJI M30 Series – IP55
DJI Zenmuse L1 – IP54
DJI Zenmuse P1 – IP4X
DJI Zenmuse H20N – IP44
DJI Zenmuse H20T – IP44

IP Ratings should be seriously considered in your purchase/mission decisions as it ensures the weather resilience of drones. An IP rating is an authentic assurance, especially when you have drone missions in the rain or other unprecedented adverse weather conditions. I hope it was an insightful short read, and hope you won’t be confused looking at the IP ratings on drones anymore.

About the author

Maria Thomas

Maria Thomas