# IP Rating Reference: Ingress Protection Codes per IEC 60529 > Source: https://netray.co/tools/ip-ingress-protection-code-reference-iec-60529 > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer Look up what every IP digit means for solids and liquids, so enclosure, motor and sensor specs on your machine are unambiguous. ## Category engineering-plm ## Industry Industrial Machinery ## Audience - Machine designer - Electrical engineer - OEM procurement ## Tool **Kind:** worksheet **Mode:** reference **Columns:** #### Code digit **Key:** code **Type:** text #### Protects against **Key:** type **Type:** text #### Protection level **Key:** level **Type:** text #### Meaning **Key:** meaning **Type:** text **Rows:** **Code:** IP0X **Type:** Solids **Level:** None **Meaning:** No protection against contact or ingress of objects **Code:** IP1X **Type:** Solids **Level:** Objects over 50 mm **Meaning:** Back of hand; objects 50 mm diameter and larger **Code:** IP2X **Type:** Solids **Level:** Objects over 12.5 mm **Meaning:** Finger; objects 12.5 mm diameter and larger **Code:** IP3X **Type:** Solids **Level:** Objects over 2.5 mm **Meaning:** Tools and thick wires 2.5 mm and larger **Code:** IP4X **Type:** Solids **Level:** Objects over 1 mm **Meaning:** Wires and small tools 1 mm and larger **Code:** IP5X **Type:** Solids **Level:** Dust protected **Meaning:** Limited dust ingress allowed, must not interfere with operation **Code:** IP6X **Type:** Solids **Level:** Dust tight **Meaning:** No ingress of dust, tested under vacuum **Code:** IPX0 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** None **Meaning:** No protection against water **Code:** IPX1 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Vertical drops **Meaning:** Vertically falling drip water has no harmful effect **Code:** IPX2 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Drops, 15 degree tilt **Meaning:** Vertical drips with enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees **Code:** IPX3 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Spraying water **Meaning:** Water sprayed up to 60 degrees from vertical **Code:** IPX4 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Splashing water **Meaning:** Splashes from any direction **Code:** IPX5 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Water jets **Meaning:** Low pressure jets from a 6.3 mm nozzle, any direction **Code:** IPX6 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Powerful water jets **Meaning:** Powerful jets from a 12.5 mm nozzle, any direction **Code:** IPX7 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Temporary immersion **Meaning:** Immersion up to 1 m depth for 30 minutes **Code:** IPX8 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** Continuous immersion **Meaning:** Immersion beyond 1 m under conditions agreed with the manufacturer **Code:** IPX9 **Type:** Liquids **Level:** High pressure, high temperature jets **Meaning:** Close range hot water jets (about 80 C), high pressure; washdown duty **Notes:** Combine one solids digit and one liquids digit, for example IP65 means dust tight and protected against water jets. An X means that digit was not rated, not that it fails. A higher liquid digit does not imply it passes lower digits (IPX7 does not automatically include IPX5 jets). Always check the supplier test report. Verify against the current edition of IEC 60529 before specifying. ## Content **Intro:** The IP code in IEC 60529 tells you how well an enclosure, motor, sensor or connector keeps out solid objects and water. This table lists every first and second digit in plain language so you can write a defensible spec on a machine bill of materials. **Sections:** #### How to use this table **Body:** Search for a code such as IP65 and read the first digit (solids) and second digit (liquids) separately. Pick the row for each digit and combine them. For a machine, set the IP level per location: control cabinet, pendant, motor, proximity sensor, connector. A washdown conveyor sensor needs a very different rating from a cabinet inside a clean room. **Bullets:** - First digit: solids, 0 to 6 - Second digit: water, 0 to 9 - An X means not rated for that digit - Add the rating to the BOM line and the datasheet, not just the drawing #### What the standard actually tests **Body:** Each digit corresponds to a defined test, such as a test probe size, a dust chamber with vacuum, a drip box, an oscillating tube, or nozzles of a stated diameter. The rating describes the enclosure in its tested condition, with its gaskets and cable glands fitted. If an installer drills an unplugged hole or fits the wrong gland, the rating no longer applies. IP ratings address ingress only, not corrosion, impact or UV. #### Worked example: choosing for a washdown cell **Body:** A food packaging machine is cleaned daily with hot, high pressure water. A sensor rated IP67 passes immersion but may not have been tested to the high pressure jet test of IPX9. A supplier who lists IP66/IP67/IP69K or the IEC 60529 IPX9 code has tested for it. Specify the washdown level you actually clean at, and request the pressure, temperature and distance used in the test. #### Common mistakes **Body:** People read IP67 as better than IP66 in every way. They test different things: jets versus immersion. Another trap is mixing NEMA and IP terms; NEMA enclosure types include other factors, and the two systems have only approximate equivalence. Finally, do not forget thermal design: a sealed IP65 cabinet traps heat, so size cooling and derate drives accordingly. **Cta:** If your OEM parts catalogue and ERP item master do not carry ingress rating as a searchable attribute, we can help add it and make it queryable by your service and quoting teams. **Faq:** #### What does IP65 mean? **Answer:** IP65 means dust tight (6) and protected against low pressure water jets from any direction (5). It suits many outdoor and washdown-light environments, but it is not rated for immersion and may not cover hot, high pressure cleaning. #### Is IP67 better than IP65? **Answer:** It passes a different water test. IP67 covers temporary immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes, while IP65 covers jets. A product can claim both, written IP65/IP67. Choose by the real exposure, not by the bigger number. #### What does the X in IPX4 mean? **Answer:** The X means no rating was assigned for that digit. IPX4 states splash protection but says nothing about solids. It is not a failure, just an unstated or untested category. #### Is IP69K the same as IPX9? **Answer:** No. IP69K comes from the ISO 20653 road vehicle standard and uses a similar high pressure, high temperature test. IPX9 is from IEC 60529. They are related but defined in different standards, so check which one the datasheet cites. ## Search terms ip rating chart, ip65 vs ip67, ip rating table iec 60529, ingress protection code meaning, ipx9 meaning, ip54 enclosure rating, machine enclosure ip rating, ip rating excel --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json