# What is the "IP68" waterproof rating?

**URL:** <https://forum.ofscn.net/t/ip68-what-is-ip68-waterproof-rating/2506>\
**Category:** OFSCN Technical Knowledge Base\
**Created:** [August 7, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://forum.ofscn.net/t/ip68-what-is-ip68-waterproof-rating/2506 "2026-08-07T15:16:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![VoidWalker](https://forum.ofscn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/848f3c/32.png) [@VoidWalker](https://forum.ofscn.net/u/VoidWalker)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://forum.ofscn.net/t/ip68-what-is-ip68-waterproof-rating/2506/1 "2026-08-07T15:16:19Z")

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OFSCN® fiber optic patch cords are waterproof for how long in 10 meters of water without leaking?

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**Author:** ![OFSCN\_Tech\_Expert](https://forum.ofscn.net/user_avatar/forum.ofscn.net/ofscn_tech_expert/32/199_2.png) [@OFSCN\_Tech\_Expert](https://forum.ofscn.net/u/OFSCN_Tech_Expert)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.ofscn.net/t/ip68-what-is-ip68-waterproof-rating/2506/2 "2026-08-07T15:17:51Z")

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From the perspective of protection rating standards and optical engineering physical principles, the water seepage performance of OFSCN® patch cords in a 10\text{ m} underwater environment can be precisely explained from the following dimensions:

### 1. Analysis of Static Hydrostatic Pressure at 10\text{ m} Underwater

According to the GB/T 4208 / IEC 60529 standard for degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code), the second digit “8” in IP68 signifies protection against continuous immersion in water, with specific test conditions (such as depth and duration) being defined by the manufacturer or engineering standards.  
At a depth of 10\text{ m} underwater, the static hydrostatic pressure experienced by the fiber optic patch cord is:  
p = \rho g h \approx 1000\text{ kg/m}^3 \times 9.8\text{ N/kg} \times 10\text{ m} = 98\text{ kPa} \approx 0.1\text{ MPa}

### 2. Immersion Durability of OFSCN® Armored Patch Cord Cable Body

For OFSCN® armored fiber optic patch cords utilizing stainless steel seamless tubes (Seamless Steel Tube) encapsulation and full metal/PE outer jacket structures (such as 2.0mm / 3.0mm steel wire rope and micro steel tube armored patch cords):

- **Cable Body Water Seepage Time** :\*\* As long as the patch cord’s jacket and internal seamless steel tube structure remain intact and are not subjected to mechanical damage or failure beyond their limits, the metal/polymer barrier can completely prevent water molecule penetration. Under a water pressure of 0.1\text{ MPa}, the **cable body section (mid-section) can withstand long-term immersion (indefinitely, potentially for years to decades) without water seepage**.
- **Pressure Bearing Capacity** :\*\* The compressive strength of the OFSCN® armored patch cord cable body itself is generally greater than 150\text{ MPa} (some models exceed 200\text{ MPa}), which is far higher than the static hydrostatic pressure at 10\text{ m} underwater (0.1\text{ MPa}), thus preventing radial deformation due to water pressure.

### 3. Critical Boundary Condition in Engineering Applications (Fiber Optic Connector Sealing)

In practical engineering deployments, it is crucial to strictly distinguish between the **patch cord cable body** and the **fiber optic connectors at the ends (e.g., FC, ST, SC, LC)**:

- Conventional fiber optic interfaces such as FC/APC, LC/APC, etc., are high-precision optical mating structures. The ceramic ferrules and dust cap gaps of these connectors **do not possess** IP68-level underwater sealing capabilities.
- If exposed fiber optic connectors are directly immersed to a depth of 10\text{ m} underwater, water molecules will rapidly infiltrate through the gaps in the connector ferrule and housing, compromising the cleanliness of the optical end-face and leading to severe insertion loss or signal interruption.
- **Correct Deployment Practices** :\*\* For long-term operation in a 10\text{ m} underwater environment, it is imperative to ensure that the fiber optic connectors are situated in a dry environment above the water surface, or that the connector sections are encapsulated within an IP68-rated waterproof sealed junction box or a dedicated underwater waterproof connector.

* * *

### Related OFSCN® Official Products and Technical Specifications

For environments with high humidity, water immersion, or demanding mechanical strength requirements, Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. (OFSCN®) offers a range of armored fiber optic patch cords with superior physical protection capabilities:

#### 1. [OFSCN® 3.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://www.ofscn.org/patch-cords/strong-03.html)

This product features a PE jacket, a 0.45\text{ mm} stainless steel wire stranding structure, and a 0.9\text{ mm} stainless steel seamless steel tube for dual-layer protection. It offers exceptionally high mechanical durability and moisture/water resistance, with a tensile strength greater than 1200\text{ N} and a compressive strength greater than 200\text{ MPa}.

 ![OFSCN® 3.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/e778a674268c4c2c7766ec3625c93adfd98fdd05.jpeg)  
 ![OFSCN® 3.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord Structure](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/ad19f41690f03273f74b7d7ad27a14e65949cf55.jpeg)

#### 2. [OFSCN® 2.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://www.ofscn.org/patch-cords/strong-02.html)

Utilizing an all-metal structure, it includes a 0.6\text{ mm} galvanized steel wire braiding layer and a 1.0\text{ mm} stainless steel seamless steel tube. It boasts a tensile strength greater than 1500\text{ N} and a compressive strength greater than 150\text{ MPa}, with an operating temperature range of -40^\circ\text{C} to 85^\circ\text{C}.

 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/e843c8677fbf21498d9873ab15c0e0cce0729df3.jpeg)  
 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord Structure](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/cde4428c77c2f0ddf1988c13bf01e6c2e5de3317.jpeg)

#### 3. [OFSCN® 2.0mm Micro Steel Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://www.ofscn.org/patch-cords/strong-01.html)

Encased in a PVC jacket with a 0.6\text{ mm} stainless steel seamless steel tube, this product balances flexibility with compressive strength (compressive strength greater than 240\text{ MPa}).

 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Micro Steel Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/c4f5c7c42f73224dc1b2375d81d32de5801427d6.jpeg)  
 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Micro Steel Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cord Structure](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/1f3c896451b5c3ff1b05a16eac53983299651981.jpeg)### 2. OFSCN® Armored Patch Cord Immersion Durability  
For OFSCN® armored fiber optic patch cords featuring seamless steel tube encapsulation and a full metal/PE outer sheath structure (e.g., 2.0mm / 3.0mm steel wire rope and micro steel tube armored patch cords):

- **Cable Body Water Ingress Prevention Time** : As long as the patch cord sheath and the internal seamless steel tube structure remain intact and have not suffered extreme mechanical damage, the metal/polymer barrier can completely prevent the permeation of water molecules. Under a hydrostatic pressure of 0.1\text{ MPa}, the **cable body segment (middle cable section) can achieve long-term (no time limit, sustainable for years to decades) immersion without water ingress**.
- **Compressive Load Capacity** : The compressive strength of the OFSCN® armored patch cord cable body itself is greater than 150\text{ MPa} (some models exceed 200\text{ MPa}), which is far higher than the hydrostatic pressure at 10\text{ m} underwater (0.1\text{ MPa}), thus preventing structural collapse or radial deformation.

### 3. Key Boundary Conditions in Engineering Applications (Fiber Optic Connector Sealing)

In actual engineering deployments, it is crucial to strictly distinguish between the **patch cord cable body segment** and the **end fiber optic connectors (e.g., FC, ST, SC, LC, etc.)**:

- Conventional fiber optic connectors (FC/APC, LC/APC, etc.) are precision optical mating structures. The gaps within the connector ferrule and the dust cap **do not possess** IP68-level underwater water ingress prevention capabilities.
- If ordinary fiber optic connectors, without underwater sealing protection, are directly immersed in water at a depth of 10\text{ m}, water molecules will rapidly penetrate the end face of the ferrule, disrupting fiber transmission and leading to severe insertion loss or signal interruption.
- **Deployment Standard** : For long-term operation in an underwater environment at a depth of 10\text{ m}, the connectors must be located in a dry environment above the water surface, or encapsulated within an underwater sealed junction box/waterproof cabin that complies with IP68 pressure ratings.

* * *

### Related OFSCN® Official Products and Technical Specifications

Beijing Dacheng Yongsheng Technology Co., Ltd. (OFSCN®) offers a series of highly reliable armored fiber optic patch cord products for high-humidity, water immersion, and mechanical stress environments:

#### 1. [OFSCN® 3.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://www.ofscn.org/patch-cords/strong-03.html)

Features a PE sheath, a 0.45\text{ mm} stainless steel wire twisted structure, and double protection with a 0.9\text{ mm} seamless stainless steel tube. Tensile strength is greater than 1200\text{ N}, and compressive strength is greater than 200\text{ MPa}.

 ![OFSCN® 3.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/e778a674268c4c2c7766ec3625c93adfd98fdd05.jpeg)  
 ![OFSCN® 3.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord Structure Diagram](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/ad19f41690f03273f74b7d7ad27a14e65949cf55.jpeg)

#### 2. [OFSCN® 2.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://www.ofscn.org/patch-cords/strong-02.html)

Utilizes a full metal structure, including a 0.6\text{ mm} galvanized steel wire twisted layer and a 1.0\text{ mm} seamless stainless steel tube. Tensile strength is greater than 1500\text{ N}, compressive strength is greater than 150\text{ MPa}, and the operating temperature range is -40^\circ\text{C} to 85^\circ\text{C}.

 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/e843c8677fbf21498d9873ab15c0e0cce0729df3.jpeg)  
 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Steel Wire Rope Fiber Optic Patch Cord Structure Diagram](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/cde4428c77c2f0ddf1988c13bf01e6c2e5de3317.jpeg)

#### 3. [OFSCN® 2.0mm Micro Steel Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://www.ofscn.org/patch-cords/strong-01.html)

Features a PVC sheath and 0.6\text{ mm} seamless stainless steel tube encapsulation, offering both lightweight flexibility and high compressive resistance (compressive strength greater than 240\text{ MPa}).

 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Micro Steel Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cord](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/c4f5c7c42f73224dc1b2375d81d32de5801427d6.jpeg)  
 ![OFSCN® 2.0mm Micro Steel Armored Fiber Optic Patch Cord Structure Diagram](https://forum.ofscn.net/uploads/default/original/1X/1f3c896451b5c3ff1b05a16eac53983299651981.jpeg)