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

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.

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Code	Type	Protection	Test summary	Practical note
IP0X	First digit (solids)	No protection	No test	Open to any contact or particle.
IP1X	First digit (solids)	Objects larger than 50 mm	Probe of 50 mm sphere	Back of hand size.
IP2X	First digit (solids)	Objects larger than 12.5 mm	Probe of 12.5 mm sphere	Finger size.
IP3X	First digit (solids)	Objects larger than 2.5 mm	Probe of 2.5 mm	Tools and thick wires.
IP4X	First digit (solids)	Objects larger than 1 mm	Probe of 1 mm	Most small wires and screws.
IP5X	First digit (solids)	Dust protected	Dust chamber, limited ingress allowed	Some dust may enter but not enough to harm operation.
IP6X	First digit (solids)	Dust tight	Dust chamber with vacuum	No dust ingress.
IPX0	Second digit (liquids)	No protection	No test	No water protection.
IPX1	Second digit (liquids)	Vertically dripping water	Drip box	Light condensation only.
IPX2	Second digit (liquids)	Dripping water with enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees	Drip box with tilt	Still very light exposure.
IPX3	Second digit (liquids)	Spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical	Spray tube or nozzle	Rain-like exposure.
IPX4	Second digit (liquids)	Splashing water from any direction	Oscillating tube or spray nozzle	Common minimum for outdoor items.
IPX5	Second digit (liquids)	Water jets (6.3 mm nozzle)	Jet at about 12.5 litres per minute	Low-pressure hose down.
IPX6	Second digit (liquids)	Powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle)	Jet at about 100 litres per minute	Heavy seas or strong washdown.
IPX7	Second digit (liquids)	Temporary immersion	Up to 1 m depth for 30 minutes	Brief submersion only.
IPX8	Second digit (liquids)	Continuous immersion	Depth and duration agreed with the manufacturer	Always read the stated conditions.
IPX9	Second digit (liquids)	High pressure and high temperature water jets	Close-range jets at high temperature from several angles (IEC 60529 amendment)	Defined in the newer IEC 60529 for steam-clean style exposure.
IP6K9K	ISO 20653 road vehicles	Dust tight and high pressure, high temperature water jets	Dust test plus close-range jets at about 80 degrees C and 80 to 100 bar	Typical for engine bay and underbody parts exposed to pressure washers.
IP6K7	ISO 20653 road vehicles	Dust tight and temporary immersion	Dust test plus 1 m immersion	K marks the road vehicle variant of the digit.
IP67	Combined code	Dust tight and temporary immersion	IP6X test and IPX7 test	Does not imply IPX5 or IPX6 jets. Each digit is tested separately.
IP54	Combined code	Dust protected and splashing water	IP5X test and IPX4 test	Common for indoor and sheltered enclosures.

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.

Specification attributes in ERP

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How to read an IP code

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

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.

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

Common mistakes

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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