In this post, we will provide a detailed answer to the question “Are Mechanical Keyboards Waterproof?”. How resistant is a mechanical keyboard to water and are there any keyboards that can withstand water.
With the price of a mechanical keyboard which is quite expensive compared to the price of a membrane keyboard or other types of keyboards, you might think that a mechanical keyboard has very complete features and can withstand various external disturbances such as dust and water.
Are Mechanical Keyboards Waterproof? No, until now the best mechanical keyboards available on the market don’t guarantee that they are completely waterproof, but the mechanical keyboards on the market today on average already support your spill and water resistant feature, which means that the mechanical keyboard can withstand splashes of water or splashed water. spilled in a small amount. Mechanical keyboards are not waterproof. Sure, they may dry out if you were to unplug it as soon as possible, but to dunk it in soapy water then rinse it in distilled water is something that is not recommended because it will surely cause fatal mechanical damage to the keyboard.
So, the mechanical keyboard only supports your water-resistant spill feature and does not support waterproof features such as raincoats or flagship smartphones from Apple and Samsung that can survive in water for a certain period of time. In this article, we will explain the difference between waterproof and water resistant and also we will give you the best tips to minimize the impact of damage if your mechanical keyboard is accidentally exposed to water. Let’s get started!
Waterproof vs Water Repellant vs Water-resistant: They Are Different Terms
They are both waterproof, this is the difference between water resistant, water repellant, and waterproof
When buying a watch, cellphone, camera, or other electronic device, it often says water resistant or waterproof. Although water resistant and waterproof are both waterproof, it turns out that they both have different functions.
Apart from being water resistant and waterproof, there is one more term in terms of water resistance, namely water repellent. All three have the same function, which is to both hold water from entering a device.
1. Water Resistant
In accordance with the meaning of water resistant according to the Oxford English Dictionary, which is able to withstand water penetration to a certain level, but not completely.
Products labeled as water resistant indicate that the product has been coated with a certain material so that the product can withstand exposure to water.
However, water resistance does not completely hold back water, just like splashing water when it is drizzling, washing hands or when riding a motorbike.
Products that are commonly labeled as water resistant include watches, mechanical keyboards, mice, portable speakers, and several smartphone products.
2. Water Repellent
Water resistance Water repellent is one level above water resistance. According to the Oxford English dictionary, water resistant means that it is not easily penetrated by water, because of the manufacturing process and has a surface coating.
Products that are labeled water repellent indicate that the product has been coated with a water-repellent material. Water repelleny is more water-resistant than water-resistant because its resistance can reach a hydrophobic level.
Until now, there have been quite a few products labeled as water repellent, such as bags, jackets, and car accessories.
3. Waterproof
Waterproof is the highest level of water resistance, so in the Oxford English University dictionary it is called waterproof.
The measure of waterproof water resistance is calculated from an IP code which has a scale of 0-8 to assess how effectively the product resists water entering.
Currently the use of IP or Ingress Protection consists of 2 digits that indicate different resilience.
The first digit indicates the resistance of solid objects such as dust, while the second digit indicates the resistance of the product to liquids.
For example, if a smartphone has an IP67 or IP68 label, then the number 6 indicates the product is dust-resistant and the number t indicates the product can be water-resistant to a depth of 1 meter.
Currently, the products that are made with IP 67 waterproof are cellphones and cameras.
Usually, the higher the level of water resistance, usually the price will also be more expensive.
What To Do If You Spill Water On Your Keyboard?
Don’t panic if you accidentally spill water on your mechanical keyboard. This article that we have written can provide some tips for solving the problems you are currently experiencing.
We will provide some complete guides on how to clean the water on your mechanical keyboard. Here is the complete guide:
1. Unplug Your Keyboard
Of course, the first thing you must do is cut off the electricity that is on your mechanical keyboard by unplugging your keyboard cable from your computer or laptop.
A device that contains electricity will not be able to withstand water or puddles and can cause a short circuit in the components of your mechanical keyboard, especially the PCB.
2. Remove the Keys
The next thing is, remove all the keycaps attached to the stem switches on your mechanical keyboard. By opening the keycaps, you can see which parts of your mechanical keyboard are exposed to water and of course by opening the keycaps, you will more easily clean the water from your mechanical keyboard.
You can also clean all your keycaps so that after cleaning the water on your mechanical keyboard, your keycaps become clean and look shiny again.
3. Flip The Keyboard Over
By flipping the keyboard position, you will be faster to drip water that is on the surface of the keyboard and after that you will be easier and faster to dry the remaining water on your mechanical keyboard.
Flip your mechanical keyboard in just a few minutes, it doesn’t take too long. Adjust the amount of water that is on your mechanical keyboard.
4. Wipe Up Excess Water
After you have finished removing the pile of water by flipping the mechanical position of your keyboard, the next step is to clean the water using simple tools such as a mini vacuum for computers, micro towels, and clips to hold the micro towels to reach certain spaces.
Clean evenly all parts that are exposed to water and make sure there are no spots or puddles remaining. Usually the accumulated water will collect just below the keycaps, on the housing switches, plates, and a little on the mechanical keyboard casing.
To make sure water doesn’t pool in certain gaps, flip over the mechanical keyboard occasionally to make sure there’s no more water left. Shake the mechanical keyboard while in the flip over down position.
5. Wait for 48 Hours
48 hours is the most ideal time to make sure your mechanical keyboard is completely dry and free from water. Within these 48 hours, position your mechanical keyboard in a flip over state to really ensure any remaining water flows out of the mechanical keyboard components.
At this time, don’t install mechanical keycaps on your keyboard so that the water drains faster and more effectively.
6. Plug In And Test
After you have done some of the steps above, now is the time to test the mechanical keyboard whether all the mechanical functions of your keyboard are still working properly.
After you have plugged your mechanical keyboard into your computer or laptop, the first thing you should do is test all key functions on your mechanical keyboard. You can access the mechanical keyboard switches tester available on the internet or just go to the Key-test website, the Key-test website can make it easier for you to check all the keys on your mechanical keyboard very quickly.
If you have passed all the steps above, reinstall your mechanical keyboard keycaps.
7. Install Mechanical Keyboard Keycaps
After 48 hours of positioning the mechanical keyboard flip over to ensure maximum drying, it’s time to attach the previously cleaned keycaps and ensure they are dry before attaching them to the stem switches.
So, Are Mechanical Keyboards Waterproof?
Mechanical keyboards are not waterproof, but currently there are quite a number of mechanical keyboard products that have spill and water resistant features that are quite effective and have been technically tested to minimize mechanical damage to the keyboard if exposed to water.
But the spill and water resistant features are not enough to ensure that your mechanical keyboard is safe from potential damage if exposed to water, there are several things you should do as soon as possible if this happens, such as the steps to clean the water on the mechanical keyboard which we have described in detail above.
Mechanical keyboards do have greater durability than membrane keyboards and other types of keyboards. But mechanical keyboards are not waterproof like smartphone or camera products that have IP67 or IP68 waterproof certification.
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