IEC enclosure protection reference
IP Rating Chart
Decode any standard IP code, compare common enclosure ratings, and understand what each solid-object and water-ingress numeral actually means.
- Basis
- IEC 60529
- First position
- X or 0–6
- Second position
- X or 0–9
- Default
- IP65
Instant code lookup
Interactive IP Rating Decoder
Type a code or choose each position. Results update automatically and the matching chart rows are highlighted.
Do not read the second numeral as a universal waterproof scale
Spray, splash, jet, temporary-immersion, continuous-immersion, and high-pressure/high-temperature jet classifications represent different tests. Verify the exact product declaration for the exposure that matters.
Visual decoder
How to Read an IP Rating
The first and second positions describe separate protection categories. Optional letters add information but do not replace either numeral.
- Current code
- IP65
- First numeral
- 6
- Second numeral
- 5
- Supplementary letter
- None
- Additional letter
- None
Complete lookup
IP Rating Chart by Characteristic Numeral
Search the first- and second-position classifications, object-size references, exposure types, and selection limitations.
No IP rating rows match the current search and filter.
| Component | Protection category | Reference size or exposure | Plain-language meaning | Key limitation | Copy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First X | First numeral | Not specified | No numeral declared | No protection claim is represented for the first characteristic position. | X is not the same as numeral 0. | |
| First 0 | First numeral | No specified protection | No access or solid-object class | No specified protection against access to hazardous parts or ingress of solid foreign objects. | Do not infer protection from the enclosure appearance alone. | |
| First 1 | First numeral | Back-of-hand / large-object class | Objects 50 mm and larger | Protection against access with the back of a hand and against large solid foreign objects. | This is not finger-access protection. | |
| First 2 | First numeral | Finger-access class | Objects 12.5 mm and larger | Protection against access with a finger and against solid foreign objects of the associated size. | Smaller tools or wires require a higher access class. | |
| First 3 | First numeral | Tool-access class | Objects 2.5 mm and larger | Protection against access with a tool and against solid foreign objects of the associated size. | Fine wires may require numeral 4 or higher. | |
| First 4 | First numeral | Wire-access class | Objects 1 mm and larger | Protection against access with a wire and against small solid foreign objects. | This is not a dust-protection classification. | |
| First 5 | First numeral | Dust-protected | Limited dust ingress permitted by the class | Protection against access with a wire; dust ingress is not entirely prevented but must not interfere with satisfactory operation or safety. | Dust-protected does not mean dust-tight. | |
| First 6 | First numeral | Dust-tight | No dust ingress under the applicable test | Protection against access with a wire and against ingress of dust under the applicable test. | Applies to the tested enclosure configuration. | |
| Second X | Second numeral | Not specified | No numeral declared | No protection claim is represented for the water-ingress position. | X is not the same as numeral 0. | |
| Second 0 | Second numeral | No specified water protection | No water-ingress class | No specified protection against harmful water ingress. | Do not infer splash, jet or immersion protection. | |
| Second 1 | Second numeral | Vertical dripping water | Vertically falling drops | Protection against harmful effects from vertically falling water drops under the applicable test. | Does not represent spraying, splashing, jets or immersion. | |
| Second 2 | Second numeral | Dripping water when tilted | Drops with enclosure tilted up to 15° | Protection against harmful effects from dripping water while tested in specified tilted positions. | Remains a dripping-water classification. | |
| Second 3 | Second numeral | Spraying water | Spray within the applicable angular range | Protection against harmful effects from spraying water under the applicable test. | Does not establish jet or immersion performance. | |
| Second 4 | Second numeral | Splashing water | Splashing from any direction | Protection against harmful effects from water splashing against the enclosure from any direction under the applicable test. | Splashing is not equivalent to pressurized jets. | |
| Second 5 | Second numeral | Water jets | Jet exposure under the applicable test | Protection against harmful effects from water projected by jets against the enclosure. | Does not independently establish immersion performance. | |
| Second 6 | Second numeral | Powerful water jets | More demanding jet exposure | Protection against harmful effects from powerful water jets under the applicable test. | Still a jet test, not an immersion declaration. | |
| Second 7 | Second numeral | Temporary immersion | Temporary immersion under standardized conditions | Protection against harmful water ingress during temporary immersion under the applicable conditions. | Does not automatically prove compliance with a separate jet test. | |
| Second 8 | Second numeral | Specified continuous immersion | Product-specific depth and duration conditions | Protection during continuous immersion under conditions declared or agreed for the equipment. | Verify the declared depth, duration, orientation and operating state. | |
| Second 9 | Second numeral | High-pressure, high-temperature jets | Close-range, high-energy washdown test category | Protection against harmful effects from high-pressure, high-temperature water jets under the applicable test. | Does not prove chemical, steam, corrosion or continuous-immersion resistance. |
The chart is a transformed educational reference. Use the official standard and the product manufacturer’s declaration for complete test requirements and certification details.
Table actions
What Does an IP Rating Mean?
Enclosure protection code prefix First numeral
Access and solid objects Second numeral
Harmful water ingress X
No numeral specified
IP65, for example, combines first numeral 6—the dust-tight classification—with second numeral 5—the water-jet classification. It does not independently establish immersion, corrosion, impact, hazardous-location or long-term outdoor suitability.
What an IP Rating Does Not Tell You
- Corrosion and chemicals
- The code does not establish resistance to salt, cleaning agents, oils, solvents or corrosive atmospheres.
- Impact and vandal resistance
- Mechanical impact is addressed by other classifications and product standards, not the two IP numerals.
- Hazardous locations
- An IP rating is not a hazardous-location certification and does not establish explosion protection.
- Long-term weathering
- UV exposure, gasket aging, thermal cycling, icing and condensation require separate evaluation.
Complete assembly required
The declared rating applies to the tested enclosure configuration, including doors, covers, seals, fasteners, cable glands, plugs, vents, drains and installation orientation.
How to Use the IP Rating Chart
- Read each code position separately. The first numeral and second numeral answer different questions.
- Define the exposure. Identify particle size, dust, water direction, pressure, duration, immersion and cleaning method.
- Decode the declared product rating. Use the tool and inspect the two highlighted table rows.
- Check the exact product conditions. Verify seals, entries, orientation, operating state and any IPX8 depth or duration declaration.
- Evaluate requirements outside IEC 60529. Review corrosion, impact, temperature, hazardous locations and the applicable equipment standard.
What does X mean in IPX7 or IP6X?
X means that no characteristic numeral is specified for that position. IPX7 is therefore not the same as IP07, and IP6X does not state a water-ingress classification.
Common IP Ratings Compared
| Rating | Solid-object classification | Water classification | Critical distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Finger-access class | No specified water protection | No water-ingress claim. |
| IP44 | Wire-access class | Splashing water | Splashing is not a pressurized jet test. |
| IP54 | Dust-protected | Splashing water | Dust ingress is limited, not entirely prevented. |
| IP55 | Dust-protected | Water jets | Jet exposure differs from splash exposure. |
| IP65 | Dust-tight | Water jets | Does not independently establish immersion performance. |
| IP66 | Dust-tight | Powerful water jets | Still a jet classification, not an immersion declaration. |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | Temporary immersion | Does not automatically establish compliance with a separate jet test. |
| IP68 | Dust-tight | Specified continuous immersion | Verify declared depth, duration, orientation and operating state. |
| IP69 | Dust-tight | High-pressure, high-temperature jets | Does not prove chemical, steam or continuous-immersion resistance. |
IP65 vs IP67
Both use first numeral 6. IP65 declares water-jet protection, while IP67 declares temporary-immersion protection. The correct choice depends on the actual exposure.
IP67 vs IP68
IP67 is a temporary-immersion class. IP68 uses conditions declared or agreed for the equipment, so the product-specific depth and duration must be checked.
IP54 vs IP65
IP54 is dust-protected and splash-rated. IP65 is dust-tight and water-jet rated, so both code positions change.
How to Select an IP Rating
Solid contaminants
- Personnel access and probe size
- Dust concentration and conductivity
- Abrasive or fibrous particles
- Maintenance and cleaning frequency
Water exposure
- Dripping, spray, splash or jets
- Direction, pressure and duration
- Temporary or continuous immersion
- Temperature and cleaning agents
Assembly details
- Cable glands and conduit entries
- Doors, latches, seals and fasteners
- Vents, drains and pressure equalizers
- Mounting orientation and workmanship
Other standards
- Equipment-specific requirements
- Corrosion and impact classifications
- Hazardous-location certification
- NEMA enclosure Types where applicable
IP rating versus NEMA enclosure Type
The systems overlap in some enclosure-protection concepts but are not exact substitutes. NEMA enclosure Types address additional environmental considerations, so a blanket one-to-one IP conversion should not be used for specification.
Engineering Basis and Data Rights
Transformed educational summaries for enclosure-protection lookup; complete normative tables and test procedures are not reproduced.
IEC 60529 is the controlling source for IP-code structure, classification and verification requirements. The current IEC Webstore listing identifies IEC 60529:1989+A1:1999+A2:2013 as Edition 2.2 and includes listed corrigenda through January 2019.
- IEC 60529:1989+AMD1:1999+AMD2:2013 CSVOfficial IEC publication supporting the IP Code structure, scope, classification and tests.
- IEC Electropedia — Degree of Protection of EnclosureOfficial terminology reference supporting the purpose of the enclosure-protection classification.
- NEMA EnclosuresSupports the distinction between IEC IP classifications and NEMA enclosure Types.
Dataset and Review Details
- Publisher
- Turn2Engineering Editorial Team
- Standard basis
- IEC 60529 Edition 2.2 consolidated version
- IEC scope
- Enclosures for electrical equipment rated not more than 72.5 kV
- Dataset label
- ip-code-reference-iec60529-ed2.2
- Rights status
- Limited transformed reference; no full-standard CSV
- Use
- Preliminary interpretation and enclosure screening
Related Engineering Resources
IP Rating Chart FAQs
IP identifies the IEC enclosure-protection code. The first numeral addresses access and solid foreign objects, while the second addresses harmful water ingress under defined tests.
Not for every exposure. IP65 declares water-jet protection, whereas IP67 declares temporary-immersion protection. These are different test modes.
IP67 represents temporary immersion under standardized conditions. IP68 represents continuous immersion under product-specific declared or agreed conditions.
X means no characteristic numeral is specified for that code position. It is not the same as numeral 0.
No blanket one-to-one conversion should be used for specification because NEMA enclosure Types include requirements not fully represented by the two IP numerals.
IP Rating Chart Summary
Read the two characteristic positions independently, match the classification to the real exposure, and verify the complete product declaration. An IP code is an enclosure-protection classification—not universal approval for an installation.
- Return to the IP rating decoder
Decode another code or use the exposure finder.
- Review the complete IP rating chart
Search first- and second-numeral classifications.