# IP Ingress Protection Code Reference: What IP54, IP67 and IP6K9K Mean

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/ip-ingress-protection-code-reference
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Look up the two digits of an IP code under IEC 60529 and the automotive IP6K9K style ratings, with a plain summary of each test.

## Category

engineering-plm

## Industry

Automotive and EV

## Audience

- Design engineer
- Test engineer
- Sourcing engineer
- Quality engineer

## Tool

**Kind:** worksheet

**Mode:** reference

**Columns:**

#### Code

**Key:** code

**Type:** text

#### Type

**Key:** type

**Type:** text

#### Protection

**Key:** protection

**Type:** text

#### Test summary

**Key:** test

**Type:** text

#### Practical note

**Key:** note

**Type:** text

**Rows:**

**Code:** IP0X

**Type:** First digit (solids)

**Protection:** No protection

**Test:** No test

**Note:** Open to any contact or particle.

**Code:** IP1X

**Type:** First digit (solids)

**Protection:** Objects larger than 50 mm

**Test:** Probe of 50 mm sphere

**Note:** Back of hand size.

**Code:** IP2X

**Type:** First digit (solids)

**Protection:** Objects larger than 12.5 mm

**Test:** Probe of 12.5 mm sphere

**Note:** Finger size.

**Code:** IP3X

**Type:** First digit (solids)

**Protection:** Objects larger than 2.5 mm

**Test:** Probe of 2.5 mm

**Note:** Tools and thick wires.

**Code:** IP4X

**Type:** First digit (solids)

**Protection:** Objects larger than 1 mm

**Test:** Probe of 1 mm

**Note:** Most small wires and screws.

**Code:** IP5X

**Type:** First digit (solids)

**Protection:** Dust protected

**Test:** Dust chamber, limited ingress allowed

**Note:** Some dust may enter but not enough to harm operation.

**Code:** IP6X

**Type:** First digit (solids)

**Protection:** Dust tight

**Test:** Dust chamber with vacuum

**Note:** No dust ingress.

**Code:** IPX0

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** No protection

**Test:** No test

**Note:** No water protection.

**Code:** IPX1

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Vertically dripping water

**Test:** Drip box

**Note:** Light condensation only.

**Code:** IPX2

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Dripping water with enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees

**Test:** Drip box with tilt

**Note:** Still very light exposure.

**Code:** IPX3

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical

**Test:** Spray tube or nozzle

**Note:** Rain-like exposure.

**Code:** IPX4

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Splashing water from any direction

**Test:** Oscillating tube or spray nozzle

**Note:** Common minimum for outdoor items.

**Code:** IPX5

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Water jets (6.3 mm nozzle)

**Test:** Jet at about 12.5 litres per minute

**Note:** Low-pressure hose down.

**Code:** IPX6

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle)

**Test:** Jet at about 100 litres per minute

**Note:** Heavy seas or strong washdown.

**Code:** IPX7

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Temporary immersion

**Test:** Up to 1 m depth for 30 minutes

**Note:** Brief submersion only.

**Code:** IPX8

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** Continuous immersion

**Test:** Depth and duration agreed with the manufacturer

**Note:** Always read the stated conditions.

**Code:** IPX9

**Type:** Second digit (liquids)

**Protection:** High pressure and high temperature water jets

**Test:** Close-range jets at high temperature from several angles (IEC 60529 amendment)

**Note:** Defined in the newer IEC 60529 for steam-clean style exposure.

**Code:** IP6K9K

**Type:** ISO 20653 road vehicles

**Protection:** Dust tight and high pressure, high temperature water jets

**Test:** Dust test plus close-range jets at about 80 degrees C and 80 to 100 bar

**Note:** Typical for engine bay and underbody parts exposed to pressure washers.

**Code:** IP6K7

**Type:** ISO 20653 road vehicles

**Protection:** Dust tight and temporary immersion

**Test:** Dust test plus 1 m immersion

**Note:** K marks the road vehicle variant of the digit.

**Code:** IP67

**Type:** Combined code

**Protection:** Dust tight and temporary immersion

**Test:** IP6X test and IPX7 test

**Note:** Does not imply IPX5 or IPX6 jets. Each digit is tested separately.

**Code:** IP54

**Type:** Combined code

**Protection:** Dust protected and splashing water

**Test:** IP5X test and IPX4 test

**Note:** Common for indoor and sheltered enclosures.

**Notes:** Test conditions are summarised. The standard defines the exact apparatus and acceptance criteria. Confirm the test report and the exact code, including any K suffix, on your supplier datasheet.

## Content

**Intro:** An IP rating tells you how well an enclosure, connector or sensor resists dust and water, and automotive and EV drawings often call out codes like IP67 or IP6K9K. This table decodes each digit and the road vehicle variants so you can check a datasheet quickly.

**Sections:**

#### How to read an IP code

**Body:** The letters IP are followed by two digits. The first digit is protection against solid objects and dust, from 0 to 6. The second is protection against liquids, from 0 to 9. A letter X means the item was not rated for that aspect. Search for a full code such as IP67 or for one digit such as IPX4. The table lists each digit with its test, and combined examples show how the two work together.

#### Why automotive adds a K

**Body:** Road vehicle parts are covered by ISO 20653, which is aligned with IEC 60529 but defines extra tests and the K marker for vehicles. IP6K9K is the best known: dust tight, plus close-range jets of hot water at high pressure, as from a pressure washer. A plain IP69 rating does not automatically meet IP6K9K because the test conditions differ. Check which version your customer drawing calls out.

**Bullets:**

- IP6K9K for engine bay and underbody exposure
- IP67 for temporary immersion only
- IPX7 and IPX9K are not interchangeable

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** The most frequent mistake is assuming a higher number means a better rating for all water types. IP67 does not cover high pressure jets, and IP66 does not cover immersion. A part may need two rating declarations, for example IP67 and IP6K9K, if it is exposed to both. Also remember that ratings apply to the tested sample in a mated, assembled condition, so unmated connectors and cable glands may fall outside the claim.

#### Using it in supplier quality

**Body:** Add the required IP code to the control plan and the incoming inspection plan, and ask suppliers for the test report that includes the sample conditions. For critical parts, such as EV battery enclosures and high voltage connectors, many OEMs also require leak test at the end of line. Keep the required rating on the item master or specification record so buyers see it when issuing purchase orders.

**Cta:** If specification attributes like IP rating need to follow the part through ERP and quality records, Netray can discuss a private assistant that surfaces them where the buyer works.

**Faq:**

#### What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?

**Answer:** IP67 is tested for temporary immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes. IP68 is for continuous immersion under conditions agreed between manufacturer and user, so it must always come with stated depth and time. IP68 is not simply better than IP67 without those details.

#### Does IP69K equal IP6K9K?

**Answer:** They are related but not identical. IP6K9K comes from ISO 20653 for road vehicles, while IP69K is a name used for the DIN 40050-9 test. Test parameters are similar, but follow what the customer specifies.

#### Does IP rating mean a part is waterproof?

**Answer:** No. The IP code states resistance to specific tested conditions. An item rated IPX4 resists splashing but not immersion, and a rating says nothing about corrosion or long-term seal ageing.

#### Why is the second digit sometimes an X?

**Answer:** An X means that aspect was not rated, either because the product was not tested or the digit is not relevant. For example IP5X says dust protection was rated but water protection was not stated.

## Search terms

IP rating chart, IP67 meaning, IP6K9K meaning, IEC 60529 IP code, ISO 20653 degrees of protection, IP54 vs IP65, enclosure ingress protection, automotive connector IP rating

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