On an earlier blog series we discussed the military standard for ruggedized technology of MIL-STD-810H. We gave specific examples of why the standard is important and how to learn if the product you are interested in purchasing stands up to the rugged standards. During this blog we’re going to discuss a few of the specific tests and why they are important. Panasonic TOUGHBOOK products as well as Getac products have been tested successfully to withstand these environments.
Temperature
The tests include storing and operating the laptops from as high a temperature as 160 degrees fahrenheit and as low as -60 degrees fahrenheit. This is an important ability for devices that need to run in sensitive areas. You may think you are not likely to be operating in Death Valley California or Antarctica but you’d quickly be surprised what normal use can bring in everyday environments. A Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 40 or Getac B360 is a common laptop that will be mounted and docked in a police vehicle. A Panasonic TOUGHBOOK or Getac product meeting the MIL-STD-810H standard can operate up to 140 degrees fahrenheit. If it’s 90 degrees outside it can easily get to 140 degrees inside a vehicle. If you’ve ever left your cell phone or a household tablet in a vehicle during the summer you’ve likely experienced when it will not turn on until the device cools. A product like the TOUGHBOOK FZ-40 or FZ-55 will continue to operate in these extreme heats. On the opposite side of the temperature spectrum it can get to negative temperatures overnight in the north parts of the US. Many officers need to leave their vehicles outside of their homes and the TOUGHBOOK device they use will need to operate correctly when they start their shift the next morning.
Drop Rating
Devices can meet the MIL-STD-810H standard if they are able to withstand 26 drops from 4 foot, 5 foot, or 6 foot onto 2 inches of plywood. The device can meet the MIL-STD-810H standard for meeting any 3 of these drop ratings to be sure to check. For example the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 40 has a drop rating of 6 foot while the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ 55 has a drop rating of 3 feet. One really interesting aspect of the test is during the 26 drops a manufacturer is able to use as many as 3 devices through this test. Panasonic is unique in that they only use a single device. A drop rating is one of the most compelling reasons a rugged computer like a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK or Getac is important. It’s very easy to drop a laptop from waist height while carrying it. Both Panasonic and Getac have included handles on their rugged laptops. The Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ40, TOUGHBOOK FZ-55, Getac B360 and S410 all have handles. Panasonic has 2 in 1 tablet systems where the handle is built into the detachable keyboard. Having a handle makes it much easier to transport and carry the computer without dropping it.
IP Rating
IP stands for Ingress Protection. This is a rating that is used to determine how well a device can operate with dust, dirt, sand, and liquid. The IP rating works by having two digits. For example a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ-55 has an IP rating of 53. The first number goes from 0-6 and measures the protection against solids. A Zero means there is no protection and a 6 indicates it is dust tight. In the case of the TOUGHBOOK 55 it is measured at a 5 so it is protected against substances like dust but is not entirely prevented from having the operation disrupted. The second number shows the protection from liquids and ranges from 0-9. The liquid ingress protection is a little confusing because it isn’t necessarily incrementally better. 0 means there is no protection against water and 8 means the device can be fully submerged 3 ft in liquid. If it goes to the top metric of 9 it means it can withstand powerful high temp water jets but is not submersible. In the case of the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 55 with an IP rating of 53 it means the device is resistant to spraying water but is not built to withstand splashing, jets, or submersion.
Vibration
Earlier we referenced a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 40 in a police vehicle. One neat aspect of these rugged computers is the ability to mount and dock the computer. This creates a reliable work station area that is free of air bags and safe for the driver. By securing the laptop to the frame of the vehicle it also transfers a considerable amount of vibration into the laptop itself. This vibration can and will cause the components of the computer to crack apart over time and break. Ruggedized products like the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 55 are built to withstand this vibration. This testing is part of the MIL-STD-810H.
