JIS Grades of Dust and Water Resistance

Our customers often ask what is the difference between waterproof digital cameras (underwater cameras) and water resistant film cameras, waterproof binoculars, and spotting scopes. The primary difference in these items is the level of water and dust resistance that each provides, which is commonly given as a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Grade. If you're shopping for some new gear, we have compiled information on different grades of waterproofing and water-resistant protection. Next time you see a Grade 4 waterproof digital camera, a JIS Class 7 water resistant digital camera, or Grade 6 water proof camera case, you will know what it means! If you have items that don't rank highly but still want to protect them, we have plenty of waterproof dry boxes and travel cases.

What Does Each JIS Grade Mean?

While there are 0 grades of water resistance, there are only 3 grades of dust resistance, since there are fewer variables. This means that you may see multiple grades on your product. Here is what you should know about JIS grades of dust and water protection.

Dust Ingress Protection

Grade 4 - Protected against solid foreign objects 1.0 mm diameter and greater.

Grade 5 - Dust protected. Ingress of dust is not totally prevented, but dust shall not penetrate in a quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of the apparatus or to impair safety.

Grade 6 - Dust tight. No ingress of dust.

Water Protection

Grade 0 - Non-protected

Grade 1 - Protected against vertically falling water drops. Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects.

Grade 2 - Protected against vertically falling water drops when enclosure is tilted up to 15 degrees. Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15 degrees on either side of the vertical.

Grade 3 - Protected against spraying water. Water sprayed at an angle up to 60 degrees on either side of vertical shall have no harmful effects.

Grade 4 - Protected against splashing water. Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.

Grade 5 - Protected against water jets. Water projected in jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.

Grade 6 - Protected against powerful water jets. Water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.

Grade 7 - Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is temporarily immersed in water under standardized conditions of pressure and time.

Grade 8 - Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is continuously immersed in water under conditions which shall be agreed between manufacturer and user but which are more severe than for numeral 7.

What Test Conditions Determine Each Grade?

Since the first few grades of resistance don't provide as much protection, it's useful to know just how Grades 4 and beyond are determined. There are rigorous tests performed to find out how well an object prevents dust and water from getting inside, especially when it comes to sensitive electronics. Here is what you should know about the tests for Grades 4 through 8.

Grade 4

The test is made using one of the two test devices in accordance with the relevant product standard.

• The oscillating tube has spray holes over the whole 180 degrees of the semi circle. The total flow rate is adjusted as specified in Table IX and is measured with a flow meter.
• The tube is caused to oscillate through an angle of almost 360 degrees, 180 degrees on either side of the vertical, the time for one complete oscillation (2x360 degrees) being about 12s.
• The duration of the test is 10 min.
• If not specified in the relevant product standard, the support for the enclosure under test is perforated so as to avoid acting as a baffle and the enclosure is sprayed from every direction by oscillating the tube to the limit of its travel in each direction.

Grade 5

The test is made by spraying the enclosure from all practicable directions with a stream of water from a standard test nozzle. The conditions to be observed are as follows:

• Internal diameter of the nozzle: 6.3mm.
• Delivery rate: 12.5 l/min +/- 5 %
• Water pressure: to be adjusted to achieve the specified delivery rate.
• Core of the substantial stream: circle of approximately 40mm in diameter at 2.5m distance from the nozzle.
• Test duration per square meter of enclosure surface area likely to be sprayed: 1 min.
• Minimum test duration: 3 min.
• Distance from nozzle to enclosure surface: between 2.5m and 3m.

Summary of test conditions for Grade 5:

• Test means: Water jet hose nozzle Figure 6. Nozzle 6.3mm diameter, distance 2.5m to 3m.
• Water flow rate: 12.5 liters per minute +/- 5%.
• Duration of test: 1 min/m2 at least 3 min.

Grade 6

The test is made by spraying the enclosure from all practicable directions with a stream of water from a standard test nozzle. The conditions to be observed are as follows:

• Internal diameter of the nozzle: 12.5mm.
• Delivery rate: 100 l/min +/- 5 %
• Water pressure: to be adjusted to achieve the specified delivery rate.
• Core of the substantial stream: circle of approximately 120mm in diameter at 2.5m distance from the nozzle.
• Test duration per square meter of enclosure surface area likely to be sprayed: 1 min.
• Minimum test duration: 3 min.
• Distance from nozzle to enclosure surface: between 2.5m and 3m.

Summary of test conditions for Grade 6:

• Test means: Water jet hose nozzle Figure 6. Nozzle 12.5mm diameter, distance 2.5m to 3m.
• Water flow rate: 100 liters per minute +/- 5%.
• Duration of test: 1 min/m2 at least 3 min.

Grade 7

The test is made by completely immersing the enclosure in water in its service position as specified by the manufacturer so that the following conditions are satisfied:

• The lowest point of enclosures with a height less than 850mm is located 1000mm below the surface of the water;
• The highest point of enclosures with a height equal to or greater than 850mm is located 150mm below the surface of the water;
• The duration of the test is 30min;
• The water temperature does not differ from that of the equipment by more than 5 degrees Kelvin. However, a modified requirement may be specified in the relevant product standard if the tests are to be made when the equipment is energized and/or its parts in motion.

Summary of test conditions for Grade 7:

• Test means: Immersion tank. Water level on enclosure: 0.15m above top, 1m above bottom.
• Water flow rate: not applicable.
• Duration of test: 30 minutes.

Grade 8

Unless there is a relevant product standard, the test conditions are subject to agreement between manufacturer and user, but they shall be more severe than those prescribed for Grade 7 and they shall take account of the condition that the enclosure will be continuously immersed in actual use.

Summary of test conditions for Grade 8:

• Test means: Immersion tank. Water level: by agreement.
• Water flow rate: not applicable.
• Duration of test: by agreement.