I thought i would make aware of some of the dodgy practices that occur from Chinese manufacturers when it comes to claims of being waterproof
IP ratings are what we use to determine the level of waterproof ability but what you find and especially on EBay with dodgy vendors that claim that parts are waterproof when in fact there is no way that this is the fact. If you then ask them about IP rating then they will give you some story that its PCV plastic waterproof without ever giving an IP rating.
See there are many levels of waterproof and the IP system helps us determine the level an item can resist water and dust ingress. So the below example is a classic example of where they claim an item to be waterproof but do not have any IP ratings. The example below would be lucky to be an IP43 but they claim to be waterproof, but in some ways they are correct, but its the level of protection that they are not honest about
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10pairs-Waterproof-connector-wire-LED-Light-Strips-4Pin-Connector-Cable-LD343-/321217330055?pt=AU_Lighting_Fans&hash=item4aca0b7b87#ht_1766wt_973
So below is a chart that shows IP ratings and from this you can see there are 8 levels for water ingress protection. But also I have seen some Chinese vendors use the IP rating and over rate their gear when in fact it should have a lower IP rating. So be aware that even if they claim an IP rating this may not be correct. Either word of mouth or testing before you commint to a larger purchase are the best ways to determine the real level of IP.
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IP ratings are what we use to determine the level of waterproof ability but what you find and especially on EBay with dodgy vendors that claim that parts are waterproof when in fact there is no way that this is the fact. If you then ask them about IP rating then they will give you some story that its PCV plastic waterproof without ever giving an IP rating.
See there are many levels of waterproof and the IP system helps us determine the level an item can resist water and dust ingress. So the below example is a classic example of where they claim an item to be waterproof but do not have any IP ratings. The example below would be lucky to be an IP43 but they claim to be waterproof, but in some ways they are correct, but its the level of protection that they are not honest about
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10pairs-Waterproof-connector-wire-LED-Light-Strips-4Pin-Connector-Cable-LD343-/321217330055?pt=AU_Lighting_Fans&hash=item4aca0b7b87#ht_1766wt_973
So below is a chart that shows IP ratings and from this you can see there are 8 levels for water ingress protection. But also I have seen some Chinese vendors use the IP rating and over rate their gear when in fact it should have a lower IP rating. So be aware that even if they claim an IP rating this may not be correct. Either word of mouth or testing before you commint to a larger purchase are the best ways to determine the real level of IP.
[attachimg=1]