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IP Rating Reference: Ingress Protection Codes per IEC 60529

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.

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Code digit	Protects against	Protection level	Meaning
IP0X	Solids	None	No protection against contact or ingress of objects
IP1X	Solids	Objects over 50 mm	Back of hand; objects 50 mm diameter and larger
IP2X	Solids	Objects over 12.5 mm	Finger; objects 12.5 mm diameter and larger
IP3X	Solids	Objects over 2.5 mm	Tools and thick wires 2.5 mm and larger
IP4X	Solids	Objects over 1 mm	Wires and small tools 1 mm and larger
IP5X	Solids	Dust protected	Limited dust ingress allowed, must not interfere with operation
IP6X	Solids	Dust tight	No ingress of dust, tested under vacuum
IPX0	Liquids	None	No protection against water
IPX1	Liquids	Vertical drops	Vertically falling drip water has no harmful effect
IPX2	Liquids	Drops, 15 degree tilt	Vertical drips with enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees
IPX3	Liquids	Spraying water	Water sprayed up to 60 degrees from vertical
IPX4	Liquids	Splashing water	Splashes from any direction
IPX5	Liquids	Water jets	Low pressure jets from a 6.3 mm nozzle, any direction
IPX6	Liquids	Powerful water jets	Powerful jets from a 12.5 mm nozzle, any direction
IPX7	Liquids	Temporary immersion	Immersion up to 1 m depth for 30 minutes
IPX8	Liquids	Continuous immersion	Immersion beyond 1 m under conditions agreed with the manufacturer
IPX9	Liquids	High pressure, high temperature jets	Close range hot water jets (about 80 C), high pressure; washdown duty

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.

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How to use this table

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.

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

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

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IP65 mean?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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