Electronic equipment such as grooming products can malfunction or become damaged when water enters the device. Because of this, if you’re going to be exposing these products to water, it’s important to make sure you’re buying waterproof grooming tools. However, you might notice that some products are marketed as waterproof and others as only water-resistant. So what’s the difference, and how do you know if your tool is protected from liquid all? Well, it’s determined by something called an IP rating, which is a system that can seem confusing at first glance. In this post, we’ll be explaining what IP ratings are, and we’ll specifically be looking at the second numeral in the two-digit code. Once we’re done, you’ll know how to determine if your grooming tool is waterproof or water-resistant, simply based on its IP code.
What Are IP Ratings?
IP ratings are a system created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to “grade the resistance of an enclosure against the intrusion of dust or liquids.” It also rates how easy it would be for people to access the parts of the enclosure that could become hazardous. At a basic level, most people are interested in the IP ratings of their smartphones, but knowing the code is important knowledge to have regarding grooming tools, too. For example, if you want clippers or trimmers that can be used in the shower, then you need to make sure you’re getting waterproof grooming tools rather than just water-resistant ones. It’s an important distinction to make, so it’s good to know the item’s IP rating before making your purchase.
How Ratings Are Composed
An item’s IP code is composed of two numerals. The first numeral references protection against solid objects. This is ranked on a scale from 0 to 6, with 0 being no protection and 6 meaning the product didn’t allow any dust access. The second numeral rates how well the item can protect against liquids. This scale ranges from 0 to 9, with 0 being no protection and 9 meaning the item was able to resist high-pressure hot water being released from different angles. There are many charts available online for you to use if you want to understand the details of your item’s IP code and how it was given its ranking.
A Breakdown Of The Second DigitSince we’re learning about the difference between an object being waterproof and water-resistant, we’re going to go a bit more in-depth with the second numeral. Ultimately, the difference between something being waterproof and water-resistant lies within a single ranking on the scale. If an object has an IP rating with 4 as the second numeral, that means it’s proven to be protected against splashing water and is classified as water-resistant. If it has an IP rating with 5 as the second numeral, then the object remained protected against water jets, and therefore it is referred to as waterproof.
Choosing Waterproof Grooming Tools
There are a ton of options on the market that claim to be waterproof, so make sure you’re double-checking the IP code before purchasing it. If you’re looking for a new water-resistant trimmer, the Trim Buddy Adjustable Hair And Beard Trimmer has a rating of IPX4, so it’s proven to stay protected when exposed to splashing water.
The Bald Buddy shaver is IPX5, perfectly rated for use during a shower, making it easier than ever to clean up and stay fresh. Now that you’re familiar with IP ratings and how they’re assigned, you can begin shopping for new grooming tools with confidence.
If you have any other questions about waterproof grooming tools, we recommend viewing the videos in The Cut Buddy Educational Videos or reaching out to a Cut Buddy Pro. Visit the IEC website for more information on grading water resistance and IP ratings.