IP ratings and MIL-STD-810 are the two specs you’ll see on almost every rugged device, and they mean very different things. An IP rating is a standardized code for how well a device is sealed against dust and water. MIL-STD-810 is a US military library of test methods, and a claim against it only tells you something once you know which tests were run.
Only one of the two has a Canadian standard behind it. IP ratings are published in Canada by CSA Group, while MIL-STD-810 is a US Department of Defense standard that manufacturers apply worldwide, including to devices sold here. Neither is a legal requirement for buying rugged devices in Canada, but both appear on nearly every spec sheet Canadian buyers will see.
If you’re comparing rugged handhelds, tablets, or phones, reading these specs correctly is the difference between a device that survives your environment and one that just looks good on paper. This guide explains what each rating means, how to compare them, and what to ask manufacturers.
For a wider view of device types and uses, see our guide to rugged mobile computing.
What does an IP rating mean on a rugged device?
An IP rating, short for ingress protection, describes how well an enclosure keeps out solids and water. The code is defined in the international standard IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures, and published in Canada by CSA Group as CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60529:16, with the same title.
Definition
An IP rating is a two-digit code for ingress protection. The first digit rates protection against solid objects and dust, from 0 to 6. The second digit rates protection against water, from 0 to 8. An “X” in either position means that category wasn’t tested or rated.
So IP67 means dust tight (6) and protected against temporary immersion (7). IPX7 means the device was rated for immersion but not for dust.
IP rating first digit: protection against dust and solids
| Digit | Protection against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 to 4 | Progressively smaller solid objects, from large body parts down to wires and small tools |
| 5 | Dust protected. Some dust may enter, but not enough to interfere with operation |
| 6 | Dust tight. No dust enters |
Most rugged mobile devices are rated 5 or 6. For dusty plants, yards, and outdoor work, look for 6.
IP rating second digit: protection against water
| Digit | Protection against |
|---|---|
| 0 to 3 | None up to dripping and spraying water |
| 4 | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Water jets from any direction |
| 6 | Powerful water jets from any direction |
| 7 | Temporary immersion, tested at a depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Continuous immersion beyond 1 metre, under conditions the manufacturer specifies |
Which IP rating fits your environment, from IP54 to IP68
Rugged handhelds, tablets, and phones cluster around a few ratings. Match the rating to the wettest and dustiest place the device will actually be used.
IP54 suits indoor retail and light warehouse use, where devices face dust and the odd splash. IP65 suits outdoor work in rain and dusty environments.
IP67 suits delivery, yards, and field service, where a device may land in a puddle or snow. IP68 suits marine work and anywhere a device may be submerged for longer.
IP67 vs IP68: what’s the difference for rugged devices?
Both are dust tight. IP67 is tested at 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. IP68 means immersion beyond 1 metre, but the depth and time are set by the manufacturer, so two IP68 devices can be tested very differently.
Just know that immersion ratings and jet ratings test different things. A device rated IP68 isn’t automatically rated for powerful water jets, which is why some devices carry two ratings, such as IP65 and IP68. If devices will be hosed down or used in driving rain, check for a jet rating too.
What IP69K means and when you need a washdown rating
IP69K is a washdown rating for high-pressure, high-temperature cleaning. It’s tested with water at 80°C, sprayed at 80 to 100 bar from 10 to 15 centimetres. It matters in food processing, cold storage, and other places where equipment is cleaned with hot water jets, and it’s rare on handheld devices outside those settings.
What MIL-STD-810H is and which test methods it covers
MIL-STD-810 is a US military standard for environmental engineering considerations and laboratory testing, used across the Air Force, Army, and Navy. The current revision is MIL-STD-810H.
Just know that MIL-STD-810 isn’t a Canadian standard or a Canadian requirement, and no Canadian body certifies devices against it. It shows up on spec sheets in Canada because manufacturers test once and sell the same devices globally, so treat it as the manufacturer’s own test evidence and check it against Canadian conditions.
Rather than a single test, it’s a library of test methods for different environmental stresses. The methods most often cited for rugged mobile devices are these.
| Method | What it tests |
|---|---|
| 500 | Low pressure, such as altitude and air transport |
| 501 and 502 | High and low temperature |
| 503 | Temperature shock, such as moving between a freezer and a warm dock |
| 506 and 507 | Rain and humidity |
| 510 | Sand and dust |
| 514 | Vibration, such as in vehicles and on forklifts |
| 516 | Shock, including a transit drop procedure |
Why “MIL-STD-810 compliant” isn’t a certification, and what to ask instead
There’s no single MIL-STD-810 pass mark or certificate. Manufacturers choose which methods to run, which procedures within each method, and at what levels, so two devices described as “MIL-STD-810H compliant” may have been tested in completely different ways.
That doesn’t make the claim worthless. It means the claim is a starting point for questions, not an answer. Ask these before relying on it.
- Which methods and procedures were run, and at what levels?
- Who ran the tests, the manufacturer or an independent lab?
- How many units were tested, and did the same unit go through several tests in sequence?
- Do the tested conditions match yours, such as your coldest temperature or your vehicles’ vibration?
Here’s what actually happens when buyers take the label at face value. Two shortlisted devices both carry the claim, one was tested for the cold and vibration your fleet faces and the other wasn’t, and nobody finds out until the first winter.
Rugged device drop, tumble and operating temperature specs explained
Drop and tumble ratings are set by each manufacturer rather than by IP or MIL-STD-810 alone. A drop spec gives the height, the surface (often concrete or plywood over concrete), and how many drops the device survived. A tumble spec describes repeated small falls in a rotating drum, which is closer to everyday knocks during a shift.
Compare drop specs with how devices are really used. A handheld used at chest height over concrete needs more drop protection than a device mounted in a vehicle cab.
Temperature specs come in two forms. The operating range is the temperature the device works at. The storage range is what it survives switched off. For Canadian fleets working outdoors or in freezers, the operating range is the one that counts, along with how the battery performs at your coldest working temperature.
Hazardous location (intrinsically safe) ratings for rugged devices
Some environments, such as fuel handling, chemical plants, and mining, need devices certified as intrinsically safe for hazardous locations. In Canada, Section 18 of the Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22.1) governs these locations and requires equipment certified for the specific explosive atmosphere present.
These certifications are separate from IP and MIL-STD-810, specific to the type of hazard, and regulated. Confirm the exact classification your site requires with your health and safety team before shortlisting devices.
Which rugged device requirements actually apply in Canada
Not every spec on a rugged device sheet carries the same weight in Canada. Some are legal requirements, some are standards published here, and some are the manufacturer’s own testing.
| Spec | Status in Canada | What it means for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| ISED radio certification | Legal requirement for wireless devices sold in Canada | Confirm every device has an ISED technical acceptance certificate and Radio Equipment List listing |
| Hazardous location certification | Required in hazardous locations under the Canadian Electrical Code | Only for sites with explosive gases or combustible dusts, and specific to the hazard |
| IP rating | Published in Canada as CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60529 | Standardized and directly comparable between devices |
| MIL-STD-810 | US military standard, not a Canadian requirement | Manufacturer test evidence, so ask which methods and levels |
| Drop, tumble and temperature specs | Set by each manufacturer | Check against your real drop heights and your coldest working temperature |
Whatever the spec, the test that matters is Canadian conditions. Cold operating temperatures, condensation when devices move from a freezer to a warm dock, and winter road vibration in delivery vehicles are where devices tested to the same paper ratings start to differ.
How to read a rugged device spec sheet against your environment
Read a spec sheet against your environment, not against other spec sheets. Start with the conditions your workers actually face, then check each rating against them.
Check the IP rating for dust and water, including both jet and immersion ratings if both matter. Check drop and tumble specs against real drop heights and surfaces.
Check the operating temperature against your coldest and hottest working conditions. Then ask which MIL-STD-810 methods were run and at what levels. The post on choosing between rugged and consumer devices covers when a rugged rating is worth paying for at all.
How PiiComm helps match rugged device ratings to real conditions
Matching durability specs to real conditions is part of choosing devices well. Through strategic sourcing, we help Canadian organizations compare rugged devices across the major manufacturers, check ratings against each role’s environment, and field-test shortlisted devices before buying.
One freight carrier fleet we supported chose rugged computers sealed against dust and moisture and rated to operate from -20°C to +50°C for life on the road. Just know that this help fits best for larger fleets with several environments. A single site with simple conditions may only need a careful spec check.
FAQ: IP ratings and MIL-STD-810
What does IP67 mean?
IP67 means a device is dust tight and protected against temporary immersion in water. Under IEC 60529, published in Canada as CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60529, the first digit (6) is the highest dust rating, and the second digit (7) means the device was tested at a depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes without harmful water ingress.
Is IP68 better than IP67?
IP68 covers immersion beyond 1 metre, so it’s a higher water rating, but the depth and duration are set by the manufacturer. Neither rating guarantees protection against powerful water jets, which are tested separately. Check the actual test conditions and whether a jet rating such as IP65 is listed too.
What is MIL-STD-810H?
MIL-STD-810H is the current revision of a US military standard for environmental engineering and laboratory testing. It isn’t a Canadian requirement, but manufacturers use it worldwide, including for devices sold in Canada. It’s a library of test methods covering conditions such as low pressure, temperature, rain, humidity, sand and dust, vibration, and shock. Manufacturers choose which methods to apply to their devices.
Is MIL-STD-810 a certification?
No. There’s no single MIL-STD-810 certificate or pass mark. Manufacturers choose which test methods, procedures, and levels to use, so a “MIL-STD-810H compliant” claim needs follow-up questions about which tests were run, at what levels, by whom, and whether they match your environment.
What IP rating does a warehouse device need?
Indoor warehouse devices often work well at IP54 or IP65. Devices used on loading docks, in yards, or in freezers with condensation are better at IP65 or IP67. Food processing and washdown areas may need IP69K. Match the rating to the wettest and dustiest place each device is actually used.
Where to start comparing rugged device ratings
Write down the real conditions for each role in your fleet, including dust, water, drop height and surface, vibration, and the coldest working temperature. Then read every shortlisted spec sheet against that list and ask manufacturers which MIL-STD-810 tests were run. If you’d like help comparing devices, talk to one of our mobility specialists.
References
- International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC 60529:1989+AMD1:1999+AMD2:2013, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code). The standard that defines IP ratings.
- D.L.S. Electronic Systems, IPX7 and IPX8 immersion testing. Test conditions for IPX7 (1 metre, 30 minutes) and IPX8 (manufacturer-specified).
- Mettler-Toledo, The IP69K rating. IP69K washdown test conditions.
- Standards Council of Canada, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60529:16, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code). The Canadian (CSA Group) publication of the IP Code.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Wireless equipment certification. Certification required to sell wireless devices in Canada.
- Electrical Industry News Week, Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, 26th edition: Section 18 Hazardous Locations (2024). Overview of hazardous location requirements under CSA C22.1.
- Defense Systems Information Analysis Center, Military Standard 810 (MIL-STD-810) Testing. Description of MIL-STD-810 and its test methods.