Wet or dusty environments mean that the IP rating of your call buttons is far more important than you think when you’re purchasing them.

What the Two Numbers Mean

Ingress Protection is how products are rated for protection against solid particulate matter (such as dust) and liquids. This is how the rating code works for IP: the first digit is for solid particulate matter (such as dust) and the second for liquids (such as water). Knowing how IP rating codes work can save buyers a lot of time reading through the specifications of a product compared to words like ‘water resistant’ and not knowing what they actually mean.

Common Ratings and What They Cover

As noted above, IP44 would provide adequate protection in dry bar environments or in front-of-house areas. A higher rating, such as IP65, would protect against dust and low-pressure water jets. This rating would be suitable for use in commercial kitchens. There is also an IP67 rating which will allow products to be submersed from time to time (e.g. poolside, outdoor terrace areas etc.

Match the Rating to Your Worst-Case Spot

Most call buttons will be mounted near sinks, dishwashers and other wash-down areas around your kitchen. Therefore it is sensible to match the rating to the worst-case spot in your building.

A useful reference for Wireless Call Buttons is https://www.dinggly.com/us/products/wireless-call-buttons/.

What Happens Below the Required Rating

Note though that if you choose to purchase call buttons below the required rating for your environment’s worst case spot then these can suffer from corroded contacts, stuck parts and other problems even before they fail and these often do not cause any visible sign of failure.

Where to Find Rated Options

Reading up on what you are going to buy for your wet or dusty areas should be good for a season, without having to replace your call buttons.