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Defining 'Commercial Rugged' & 'Industrial Rugged'

With so many vendors now in the marketplace offering 'toughened' or 'ruggedised' computers, how do you compare products from different vendors who use their own rating systems, let alone know what 'level' of ruggedisation is what you actually need for a specific application?

The following guide shows how we rate 'levels of ruggedisation', based on the durability tests designed andards a product meets will help you select one that best meets your requirements.

Rugged Class
COMMERCIAL

Rugged Class
INDUSTRIAL

'Toughened'
(ie NON rugged) 

Level of Ruggedisation

Semi-Rugged
Vehicle Rugged

Level of Ruggedisation

Fully Rugged
Fully Rugged 'Plus'

Occasional outdoor use in moderate outdoor environments; designed to survive light levels of dust & vibration for short periods; not recommended for mission critical roles or extremes of heat (above 45C) or cold (below 5C)

Occasional use in applications involving moderate levels of dust and vibration; better suited to in-vehicle use where low to moderate levels of vibration & moderate extremes of heat or cold

Frequent use in applications involving moderate to high levels of dust & vibration, or extremes of temperature or humidity; well suited to in-vehicle or outdoor use in critical roles 

Impact Resistance (read more)

no applicable standards

<6 drops from 0.76m (30"); 
1 unit to pass; unit operating

26 drops from 0.9m (36"); 
2 units to pass; units not operating

Vibration Resistance - Operating (read more)

no applicable standards

MIL-STD-810F Method 514.5 Procedure I, Cat. 20, Fig 514.5C-1

ASTM 4169-99 Truck Assurance Level II Schedule E 11.5.2

MIL-STD-810F Method 514.5 Procedure I, Cat. 20, Fig 514.5C-1

ASTM 4169-99 Truck Assurance Level II Schedule E 11.5.2

Vibration Resistance - Non-operating (read more)

no applicable standards

MIL-STD 810F, Method 514.5, Procedure I, Cat. 24, Fig 514.5C-17 & Fig 514.5C-18

MIL-STD 810F, Method 514.5, Procedure I, Cat. 24, Fig 514.5C-17 & Fig 514.5C-18

Dust Resistance - Operating (read more)

no applicable standards

Meets at least IP5x

Meets or exceeds at least IP5x

MIL-STD 810F, Method 506.4, Procedure II (operating)

Moisture Resistance (read more)

no applicable standards

0.36 litres (12oz) of water over entire keyboard & touchpad;
10 minute soak; unit is operating

Meets or exceeds at least IPx4

MIL-STD 810F, Method 506.4, Procedure II,
1 hr total; unit is operating

Temperature Resistance (read more)

no applicable standards

 0C to 45C

 -20C to 50C

EMC Performance (read more)

standard ACA/CE EMC requirements

standard ACA/CE EMC requirements

standard ACA/CE EMC requirements

 Hinge Durability

no applicable standards

36,000 cycles

36,000 cycles

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