How to read weatherproof ratings on telecom data sheets

Networking and communications equipment is not always installed in clean, climate-controlled environments. Many devices operate outdoors, in industrial facilities, on building exteriors, at entry points, or in other locations where rain, dust, and other environmental factors can affect performance over time.

That is why data sheets often include environmental ratings and certification codes such as IP, NEMA, IEC, MIL-STD, UV, and ETSI. These standards can be difficult to interpret at first glance, but they provide important clues about where a device can be safely deployed and what conditions it is designed to withstand.

In this article, we demystify the weather and environmental protection standards manufacturers use so you can more confidently choose the right equipment for harsh environment deployments.

Deployment in harsh environments

In a previous article on ruggedization, we looked at standards related to vandalism, tampering, mechanical shock, and other forms of physical impact. Here, the focus shifts to protection from rain, dust, humidity, temperature extremes, salt mist, sunlight, and other environmental conditions. 

Many networking and communications devices are deployed in environments exposed to the elements. Common examples include outdoor wireless access points such as the Grandstream GWN7664ELR, ruggedized access control solutions such as Grandstream’s video door systems, and end-user devices such as Cisco’s 6825 ruggedized DECT handset. Other equipment commonly evaluated against environmental protection standards includes outdoor IP cameras, mobile terminals, and other portable communications equipment.

Because these devices are often installed or used in outdoor, industrial, or otherwise demanding contexts, they may be exposed to conditions that ordinary indoor equipment is not designed to withstand. To select equipment responsibly, it is important to understand which types of protection are required for a given deployment environment and how those protections are reflected in manufacturer's data sheets. 

Environmental protection certifications

This aspect of ruggedization involves protecting devices from environmental conditions through sealed enclosures and ensuring reliable operation under extreme temperatures and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Various industry-standard rating systems are used to certify the level of protection provided to these devices. The most prominent are listed below:

• Intrusion Protection (IP) ratings evaluate the level of protection from water and dust.
• NEMA enclosure types are used to evaluate environmental protection in a way similar to IP but specifically for enclosures; they include protection from ice formation and corrosion.
• IEC 60068 is a standard for environmental tests such as temperature extremes, thermal shock, and salt mist, among others.
• MIL-STD-810 is a military-grade testing standard that includes solar radiation.
• UV and sunlight exposure standards are used especially for plastic enclosures.
• ETSI environmental classes define environmental classes for telecom equipment.

While there is considerable overlap in what these standards evaluate, each one also includes unique aspects. Taken together, they represent virtually all of the environmental protection standards typically referenced in telecom and networking equipment data sheets.

Let’s examine each one individually.

Intrusion Protection (IP)

This is arguably the most common standard cited on data sheets of equipment that is considered ruggedized, industrial grade, or specifically designed for outdoor deployment. It is defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the official IEC 60529 standard. The rating system consists of an IP rating of IPXY, where X and Y are digits that represent the protection level of solid particle protection and liquid ingress protection, respectively. The following tables indicate the values of X and Y and what they mean.

Particle protection

Liquid ingress protection

The tables above give a general idea of the kind of protection described. Although the descriptions may sound subjective, the standard itself defines the testing parameters in great detail, resulting in an objective and quantifiable standard rating.

As an example, the Yealink W59R Rugged DECT handset has an IP rating of 67. This rating indicates that the device is dust-tight and protected from liquid ingress, even when submerged under 3’ of water. 

Similarly, Grandstream’s outdoor 2-way SIP horn speaker has an IP rating of 66, protecting against water jets but not immersion.  And, we recently published an article about the Grandstream GWN7605CLR outdoor wireless access point, which also has an IP66 weatherproof rating.  Grandstream outdoor telecom equipment, such as IP cameras and Wi-Fi access points, is typically built with weather-resistant enclosures, with many models carrying IP65, IP66, or IP67 ratings. All three are suitable for rain-exposed installations, while IP66 is especially relevant for wind-driven rain because it is tested against powerful water jets. IP67 adds protection against temporary immersion. 

IP standards may also have one or two additional letters appended to the rating that define resistance to oil and high voltage. These are rarely seen in data sheets for telecom and networking equipment.

NEMA enclosure types

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) publishes a standardized definition of enclosure types. These types exclusively refer to enclosures rather than to the devices themselves. NEMA types can be useful, especially when enclosing a non-ruggedized device within an enclosure for environmental protection. NEMA types define objective levels of protection from various elements, including water, dust, corrosive agents, and ice formation. Several enclosure types are suitable against more hazardous environments, such as those found in mines and oil rigs. The following table indicates a few NEMA types relevant to telecom and networking equipment, and their meanings:

IEC 60068

IEC 60068 is a family of standards that includes ratings that evaluate physical durability as well as resistance to environmental factors. The physical durability aspect was examined in a previous article, while here we will focus on the environmental protection it evaluates.

This standard specifically evaluates resistance to temperature extremes, thermal shock, humidity, and salt mist, an important element in coastal areas. IEC 60068 outlines tests that evaluate resistance to specific elements.

Example tests include:

• IEC 60068-2-1: Cold test
• IEC 60068-2-2: Dry heat
• IEC 60068-2-11: Salt mist
• IEC 60068-2-30: Humidity cycles

Networking vendors often state compliance with selected tests.

MIL-STD-810

MIL-STD-810 was also examined in our ruggedization article addressing physical shock and mechanical stress. Like the IEC 60068 standard, it outlines tests, or more specifically, “test methods,” that define the resistance to specific elements. Unlike the IEC 60068, however,  MIL-STD-810 was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense for military purposes. Even so, many telecom vendors use these methods to test their equipment. Some of the most relevant test methods include:

• 501.7: High temperature
• 502.7: Low temperature
• 504.3: Contamination by fluids
• 505.7: Solar radiation (sunshine)
• 506.6: Rain
• 507.6: Humidity
• 509.7: Salt fog
• 510.7: Sand and dust

Ultraviolet (UV) and sunlight exposure standards

UV and sunlight exposure standards apply to devices that may be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. They are particularly important for equipment with plastic enclosures, as prolonged exposure to UV radiation can cause materials to degrade and become brittle. In regions with intense sunlight, compliance with these standards becomes even more important.

These standards are defined by various organizations, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the International Standards Organization (ISO). Some of the most noted standards include the following.

ETSI environmental classes

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) defines environmental classes for telecom equipment. The ETSI EN 300 019 standard is a telecom-specific standard structure that defines the specific environmental conditions that equipment must be able to withstand to be categorized accordingly. These categories include:

• Indoor controlled environments
• Outdoor sheltered installations
• Outdoor fully exposed installations

Conclusion

Environmental certifications provide an objective way to evaluate how networking equipment performs under challenging conditions. These standards help ensure that devices can withstand dust, moisture, temperature extremes, and prolonged outdoor exposure. Understanding these standards lets engineers and decision-makers choose equipment that delivers reliable performance even in harsh environments.

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