What products are involved?
All Rheonics sensors, transmitters and cables that have an IP rating.
What is the purpose of this article?
To explain the meaning of IP ratings, its digits and the protection levels Rheonics products have.
1. Overview
IP (Ingress Protection or International Protection Mark) from IEC60529 [1], rates the protection against intrusion of solids, accidental contact, dust, water and steam into mechanical housings and electrical enclosures.
The "K" in IP69K comes from ISO 20653 [2] (formerly DIN 40050-9), which adds a test with high-pressure, high-temperature water jets.
Categories are based on the use of two digits, which have specific meanings each, as follows.
Figure 1. IP rating digits meaning.
2. What Does Rheonics Offer?
Rheonics sensors are divided in three main parts, the sensor electronics, cable and probe. Each has a specific IP rating, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Rheonics sensor electronics, cable and probe IP protection rating.
Rheonics SR-sensor probes have an IP69K rating. Table 1 describes in more detail the protection ratings and Rheonics products.
Figure 3. SRV IP69K inline viscometer - other process connection variants available. [3]
Figure 4. SRD IP69K inline density and viscosity probe - other process connection variants available. [4]
Review all Rheonics sensor process connection variants here.
| Rheonics Devices | IP Rating | Protection level description | Notes/Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| SME-DRM sensor electronics for mounting on DIN rail, used in cabinets [5] | IP20 [6] | Protection against solid objects greater than 12.5 mm. No protection against water. | For indoor installations or to be installed in cabinets. |
| SME-TR, sensor electronics in transmitter housing SME-TRD, sensor electronics in transmitter enclosure with display | IP66 / IP68 (1 m) [6] | Total protection against intrusion of dust and solids. Protection against temporary flooding. | For indoors and outdoors installations. |
| SRV, inline viscometer (all variants) | IP69K | Sensor probe body is hermetically sealed and offers complete protection against intrusion of dust, solids and high pressure water or steam into the internal components. | Sensor cable and M12 connector with IP69K rating are needed for complete protection. |
| SRD, inline density and viscosity probe | IP69K | ||
| DVP, HPHT density and viscosity meter [7] | IP69K | ||
| DVM, HPHT density and viscosity module [8] | IP69K |
Table 1. Rheonics devices and IP ratings
Sensor cables with an M12 connector are connected to the probe back end. The IP protection of the cable varies between variants (standard, Ex, High-Temperature, etc.) and will influence the protection rating of the sensor once it is installed. Standard cables have an IP rating of IP68, but IP69K cables are also offered.
To have an IP69K sensor, both the probe and cable should be rated with such protection.
Review all cable variants in this article: Rheonics sensor cable and connection variants.
3. References
- IEC, Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures (IP Code), IEC 60529:1989+AMD1:1999+AMD2:2013, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/2452. [Accessed: Sep. 23, 2026].
- ISO, Road Vehicles: Degrees of Protection (IP Code): Protection of Electrical Equipment Against Foreign Objects, Water and Access, ISO 20653:2023, Aug. 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.iso.org/standard/76116.html.
- Rheonics, "Rheonics SRV » inline online Viscometer for fluid viscosity monitoring." [Online]. Available: https://rheonics.com/products/inline-viscometer-srv/. [Accessed: Sep. 23, 2026].
- Rheonics, "rheonics SRD » Density Meter inline online specific gravity concentration." [Online]. Available: https://rheonics.com/products/inline-density-meter-srd/. [Accessed: Sep. 23, 2026].
- Rheonics, "Electronics and Communication » rheonics :: viscometer and density meter." [Online]. Available: https://rheonics.com/electronics-and-communication/. [Accessed: Sep. 23, 2026].
- Rheonics GmbH, Rheonics SRV Inline Viscometer Manual, DocID SRV-G1-OP-2606, Jun. 2026.
- Rheonics, "rheonics DVP » gas LNG density meter and viscometer." [Online]. Available: https://rheonics.com/products/inline-gas-lng-density-meter-dvp/. [Accessed: Sep. 23, 2026].
- Rheonics, "DVM » HPHT PVT Density Meter Viscometer." [Online]. Available: https://rheonics.com/products/hpht-pvt-density-meter-viscometer-dvm/. [Accessed: Sep. 23, 2026].