IP Ratings Guide
Understanding Ingress Protection ratings helps you choose the right enclosure for your application environment.
What Is an IP Rating?
An IP (Ingress Protection) rating, defined by the international standard IEC 60529, classifies the degree of protection provided by an enclosure against the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, and water.
The IP code consists of the letters "IP" followed by two numerals:
IP Code Structure: IP XY
First numeral (X): Solids
Rated 0–6. Indicates protection against solid objects from large surfaces (level 1) down to complete dust protection (level 6).
Second numeral (Y): Liquids
Rated 0–9. Indicates protection against water from dripping (level 1) to high-pressure water jets (level 6+) and temporary submersion (level 7-8).
First Numeral — Solid Object Protection
| Level | Protection Against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Large body surfaces (>50mm) |
| 2 | Fingers (>12.5mm) |
| 3 | Tools / thick wires (>2.5mm) |
| 4 | Wires (>1mm) |
| 5 | Dust-protected (limited ingress, no harmful deposit) |
| 6 | Dust-tight (complete protection) |
Second Numeral — Liquid Ingress Protection
| Level | Protection Against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Vertical dripping water |
| 2 | Dripping at 15° tilt |
| 3 | Spraying water (up to 60°) |
| 4 | Splashing water (all directions) |
| 5 | Low-pressure water jets |
| 6 | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Temporary immersion (up to 1m) |
| 8 | Continuous immersion |
| 9 | High-pressure, high-temperature jets |
IP54 vs IP65 — Which Do You Need?
These are the two most common IP ratings for electrical enclosures. Here is a quick comparison:
| Feature | IP54 | IP65 |
|---|---|---|
| Dust protection | Dust-protected (limited) | Dust-tight (complete) |
| Water protection | Splash-proof (all directions) | Water jet proof (low pressure) |
| Typical use | Indoor industrial, semi-outdoor | Full outdoor, rooftop, ground mount |
| Application examples | Factory floor panels, indoor distribution, building management | Solar ACDB/DCDB, outdoor telecom, EV chargers, street lighting |
| Gasket required? | PU foam gasket | Silicone gasket (higher compression) |
Choosing the Right IP Rating
The right IP rating depends on where the enclosure will be installed and what environmental conditions it will face. As a general rule:
- IP54 is sufficient for indoor industrial settings, covered semi-outdoor areas, and applications where occasional splashing may occur but direct water jets are not expected.
- IP65 is recommended for fully outdoor installations where the enclosure is exposed to rain, dust, and water washdown. This includes rooftop solar installations, telecom poles, and street-side equipment.
Not sure which IP rating you need? Contact us with your application details and our team will recommend the right solution.
Need an IP-Rated Enclosure?
We manufacture IP54 and IP65 enclosures in various sizes and materials.