Rugged laptops and more rugged laptops...

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Standards, tests and certifications

Some laptops are more rugged than others, here are three of the most common standards, tests and certifications that enable a buyer of rugged laptops and tablets to ascertain the suitability of one product against another, and its ability to operate and survive in the various military environments.

• MIL STD 810E/F testing protocols for resistance to rain, humidity, salt fog, sand/dust, vibration, shock and temperature.
• IP (Ingress Protection) testing which establishes the ability of an electrical enclosure to withstand penetration from solids (sand/dust) and liquids.
• IS (Intrinsic Safety) testing which details the specific Hazardous Locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist and in which an electrical device can be used without fear that it might cause an explosion.

MIL STD (Military Standard) or MIL SPEC (Military Specification) 810F

A series of performance and manufacturing guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Defense. MIL-STD 810E (superseded by MIL-STD 810F on January 1, 2000) is generally accepted as the "gold standard" for ruggedisation testing by mobile computer manufacturers.
MIL-STD 810E and 810F actually define a series of complex testing protocols for rain, humidity, salt fog, sand/dust, vibration, shock and temperature, among others.

 

Test #	Description	Test standard
810F 502.4	Storage and operation under cold temperature.	Storage at -400F (-400C) then tested at room temp. Stored for 3 hours at -40F and then testes at -40F.
810F 501.4	Storage and operation at high temperatures.	Storage at 1580F witout battery or 1400F with battery then tested at room temperature. Stored at 1220F and then tested at 1220F.
810F 503.4	Thermal shock	3 temperature cycles from -400F to 1580F, then 3 cycles from -400F to 1580F performed in less than 1 minute per cycle.
810F 506.4	Rain	4" per hour with a wind speed of 40mph for 30 minutes. Water temperature between 410F and 770F.
810F 512.4	Immersion	30 minutes immersion to a depth of 3ft.
810F 507.4	Humidity	95% (+/- 5%) non-condensing humidity at 750F for 48 hours.
810F 516.5	Drop test	26 drops from 4ft on 2" of plywood using up to 5 units. No temperature is stated.
810F 514.5	Vibration	0 - 500Hz, 0.5 octave/min on 3 axis. 65 minutes/axis duration.
810F 500.4	Low pressure operation	Equipment is tested comparable to that of an aircraft luggage hold at 15,00 ft altitude.

 

IP ratings

A set of enclosure protection standards established by the International Electrotechnical Commission as defined in IEC529 (BSEN60529:1991).
Expressed as a two-digit number, the IP rating describes the ability of an electrical enclosure to withstand penetration from solids and liquids according to the following table:

	FIRST NUMBER (SOLIDS)		SECOND NUMBER (LIQUIDS)
IP0X	No protection	IPX0	No protection
IP1X	Large foreign bodies, diam >50mm (hands)	IPX1	Water dripping vertically or condensation
IP2X	Medium-sized foreign bodies, diam >12.5mm (fingers)	IPX2	Water dripping at an angle (up to 15o from the vertical)
IP3X	Small foreign bodies, diam >2.5mm (tools/wires)	IPX3	Spray Water (any direction up to 60o from the vertical)
IP4X	Granular foreign bodies, diam >1mm (small tools)	IPX4	Spray Water from all directions
IP5X	Dust protected, limited ingress; dust deposits are permitted, but their volume must not affect the function of the unit.	IPX5	Low pressure water jets from a nozzle in all directions
IP6X	Complete protection - sealed & totally dust-proof	IPX6	Strong spray jets and heavy seas (ship deck)
		IPX7	Temporary Immersion
		IPX8	Permanent Immersion
A rating of IP68, therefore, would indicate a device impervious to dust that can withstand total submersion in water.

IS (Intrinsic Safety)

IS is a term representing the Hazardous Location classifications as described in the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) National Electrical Code (Article 500). The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines Hazardous Locations as those areas "where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapours, flammable liquids, combustible dust, ignitable fibers or flyings.

An Intrinsic Safety rating details the specific Hazardous Location in which an electrical device can be used without fear of electrostatic discharge that may cause an explosion.

SUMMARY OF CLASS I, II, III, HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS

CLASSES	GROUPS	DIVISION 1	DIVISION 2
I. Gases, vapors and liquids	A. Acetylene B. Hydrogen,etc. C. Ether, etc. D. Hydrocarbons, fuels, solvents, etc.	Normally explosive and hazardous	Not normally present in explosive concentrations ( but may accidentally exist )
II. Dusts	E. Metal dusts F. Carbon dusts G. Flour, starch, grain, plastic, chemical dust.	Ignitable quantities normally or possibly in suspension.	Dust not normally suspended in an ignitable concentration ( but may exist )
III. Fibres and flyings	Textiles, wood-working, etc.	Handled or used in manufacturing	Stored or handled in storage