Ingress Protection

What the Two-Digit Code Actually Means

An IP (Ingress Protection) rating is a two-digit code defined under AS 60529:2025 (the Australian adoption of IEC 60529) that tells you precisely how well an electrical enclosure or device resists intrusion from solid objects and liquids. IP ratings replace vague marketing terms like "waterproof" or "dustproof" with a testable, standardised measure. This guide explains how to read an IP rating, what each digit means, which ratings apply to common installation scenarios, and the important limitations of the system.

Guide Index

How to Read an IP Rating

An IP code always follows the format: IP followed by two digits. The first digit (0–6) rates protection against solid objects and accidental contact. The second digit (0–9K) rates protection against liquids.

Higher numbers indicate better protection. An IP67 enclosure is dust-tight (6) and can withstand temporary immersion in water (7). An IP20 enclosure protects against fingers touching live parts (2) but has no water protection at all (0).

If one digit is replaced by X (for example IPX7 or IP6X), it means that particular category was not tested, not that protection is zero. A product marked IPX7 has been tested for water immersion but not rated for dust ingress.

Some products carry a dual rating such as IP65/IP68. This means the product has been independently tested and passed both ratings, since the jet tests (IPx5/x6) and immersion tests (IPx7/x8) use different test methods and a product passing IPx8 is not automatically compliant with IPx6.

First Digit: Protection Against Solids

Digit Protection Level Practical Meaning
0 No protection No protection against contact or solid ingress.
1 Objects > 50mm Protected against large body parts such as the back of a hand. Not against deliberate contact.
2 Objects > 12.5mm Protected against fingers and similar objects. Standard for indoor switchboards, consumer units, and distribution boards.
3 Objects > 2.5mm Protected against tools and thick wires. Most screwdrivers and similar hand tools cannot penetrate.
4 Objects > 1mm Protected against most wires, small screws, and fine tools. Common in semi-exposed environments.
5 Dust protected Limited dust ingress permitted but not enough to interfere with operation. Suitable for dusty industrial environments.
6 Dust tight Totally protected against dust ingress. Required for equipment in mining, construction, and harsh outdoor environments.

Second Digit: Protection Against Liquids

Digit Protection Level Test Conditions
0 No protection No protection against water ingress.
1 Dripping water (vertical) Vertically falling water drops for 10 minutes at 1mm/min. For equipment mounted upright in sheltered locations.
2 Dripping water (tilted to 15°) Vertically falling water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from vertical.
3 Spraying water Water sprayed at up to 60° from vertical. Covers rain and spray in sheltered outdoor locations.
4 Splashing water (any direction) Water splashed from any direction. Standard for bathroom accessories, outdoor luminaires in sheltered locations, and semi-exposed enclosures.
5 Water jets (low pressure) 6.3mm nozzle at 12.5 L/min from 3 metres, any direction. Suitable for equipment exposed to rain and hose-down cleaning.
6 Water jets (high pressure) 12.5mm nozzle at 100 L/min from 3 metres, any direction. For harsh outdoor environments and industrial washdown.
7 Temporary immersion Immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. For equipment that may be submerged temporarily, such as outdoor connectors or underground junction boxes.
8 Continuous immersion Continuous immersion beyond 1 metre, to a depth agreed between manufacturer and user. Depth and duration must be stated by the manufacturer.

Important note on IPx7 and IPx8: A product rated IP67 or IP68 has passed the immersion test. This does not automatically mean it has passed the jet test (IPx5 or IPx6). Immersion and jet tests use different methods. If a product needs to withstand both jets and immersion, look for a dual rating such as IP65/IP68, which confirms both tests were passed independently.

IP69K: High-Pressure Steam Cleaning

IP69K is an additional rating (originally from German standard DIN 40050-9, now harmonised into IEC 60529) covering protection against close-range high-pressure and high-temperature water jets. The test uses water at up to 80°C, 80 bar pressure, at a distance of 100–150mm.

IP69K is not a step above IP68 in the standard numeric scale. It is a separate test for a different threat. Equipment rated IP69K is designed for environments requiring regular steam cleaning or pressure washing, such as food processing facilities, commercial kitchens, dairy equipment, and agricultural machinery. You may see ratings such as IP66/IP69K indicating the product passed both the high-pressure jet test and the steam cleaning test.

Common IP Ratings and Their Applications

IP Rating Typical Applications
IP20 Indoor switchboards, consumer units, distribution boards in dry locations. Residential circuit breakers, indoor power supplies, office equipment enclosures.
IP44 Bathroom accessories (shaver sockets, extractor fans), semi-sheltered outdoor lighting, covered outdoor enclosures. Minimum for outdoor locations under AS/NZS 3000.
IP54 Practical minimum for general outdoor electrical enclosures in Australia. Outdoor junction boxes in exposed locations, industrial control panels, outdoor access control equipment.
IP55 Industrial electrical enclosures, outdoor networking equipment in exposed locations, outdoor PA and intercom systems.
IP65 Outdoor LED floodlights, outdoor WiFi access points, external CCTV cameras, outdoor power supplies, weatherproof enclosures for networking and cabling equipment. Dust-tight and jet-resistant: suitable for most Australian outdoor installations.
IP66 Harsher outdoor environments, marine applications, coastal installations, outdoor equipment subject to heavy rain or pressure cleaning.
IP67 Underground junction boxes, outdoor connectors in areas subject to flooding or ponding, portable equipment used near water, some outdoor WiFi and networking enclosures.
IP68 Submersible equipment, underwater lighting, marine equipment, connectors designed for permanent underground or submerged installation.
IP69K Food processing, commercial kitchens, dairy and agricultural equipment, any environment requiring regular steam or high-pressure hot water cleaning.

Choosing the Right IP Rating for Your Installation

The right IP rating is determined by the actual environment, not by choosing the highest number available. Over-specifying adds unnecessary cost. Under-specifying causes premature failure, voided warranties, and potential safety issues.

Indoor dry locations

IP20 is sufficient for standard indoor switchboards, consumer units, and equipment in offices, server rooms, and dry commercial spaces. There is no benefit to specifying IP65 for indoor dry equipment.

Bathrooms and wet areas

AS/NZS 3000 defines bathroom zones. Zone 0 (inside the bath or shower) requires IP67. Zone 1 (directly above the bath/shower) requires IP65. Zone 2 (up to 0.6m outside the zone) requires IP44. Outside zones, IP20 is acceptable.

Outdoor sheltered locations

Under eaves or in a covered carport with no direct rain exposure: IP44 minimum. Any location with potential splash from rain, garden hoses, or cleaning: IP54 or IP55.

Outdoor exposed locations

Directly exposed to rain and weather in Australian conditions: IP65 minimum. This covers the vast majority of outdoor networking, CCTV, access control, and power equipment installations. Coastal or marine environments, or locations subject to pressure cleaning: IP66 or above.

Underground and submersible

Enclosures or connectors in pits, trenches, or locations subject to flooding or ponding: IP67 minimum. Permanently submerged equipment: IP68, with depth and duration confirmed against the manufacturer's stated specification.

What IP Ratings Do Not Cover

IP ratings are frequently misunderstood as a complete measure of environmental durability. They are not. IP ratings only address ingress of solids and liquids. They say nothing about:

  • UV resistance: A plastic IP65 enclosure will degrade in sunlight over time regardless of its IP rating. Specify UV-stabilised materials for outdoor installations.
  • Impact and mechanical protection: Impact resistance is covered by IK ratings (IK01 to IK10), a separate standard. An IP67 enclosure may shatter under a moderate impact.
  • Corrosion resistance: A steel enclosure rated IP66 may rust in a coastal environment unless it is stainless steel or appropriately coated.
  • Temperature extremes: IP ratings are tested at standard ambient temperatures. Equipment in extreme heat (Australian rooftop installations) or cold may perform differently from its rated specification.
  • Chemical resistance: Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fertilisers, or industrial solvents is not addressed by the IP rating system.

For outdoor and industrial installations, consider all relevant environmental factors alongside the IP rating when specifying equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IP65 mean?

IP65 means the enclosure or device is dust-tight (first digit 6: no dust ingress) and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction (second digit 5: 6.3mm nozzle, 12.5 L/min, from 3 metres). IP65 is the most common rating specified for outdoor networking, CCTV, lighting, and power equipment in Australian installations.

What is the difference between IP65, IP66, IP67, and IP68?

All four have a first digit of 6, meaning they are dust-tight. The difference is in liquid protection. IP65 resists low-pressure water jets. IP66 resists high-pressure water jets. IP67 withstands temporary immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. IP68 withstands continuous immersion beyond 1 metre (depth stated by manufacturer). Note that IP67 and IP68 are not automatically compliant with IP65 and IP66 jet tests. A dual rating like IP65/IP68 confirms both jet and immersion tests were passed.

Is IP67 better than IP65?

It depends on the installation. IP67 is rated for temporary immersion, which IP65 is not. But IP65 is rated for water jet resistance, which an IP67-only rating does not guarantee. For an outdoor enclosure in a location subject to heavy rain and hose-down cleaning but no immersion, IP65 or IP66 is actually the more relevant specification. Only specify IP67 or higher when immersion is a real risk.

What IP rating is required for outdoor electrical installations in Australia?

AS/NZS 3000 requires a minimum of IP44 for exposed outdoor locations. In practice, IP54 is considered the practical minimum for general outdoor enclosures in Australian conditions, and IP65 is the standard for equipment with direct weather exposure. Always confirm the specific requirement with the relevant standard and a licensed electrician for your installation.

What does the X mean in an IP rating?

An X in place of a digit means that characteristic was not tested, not that protection is zero. IPX7 means the product was tested for water immersion (digit 7) but was not rated for solid ingress (X). IP6X means it was tested as dust-tight (digit 6) but not rated for liquid ingress. When specifying equipment, always confirm that both digits relevant to your installation have been rated, not replaced with X.

What is the difference between IP and IK ratings?

IP ratings cover protection against ingress of solids and liquids. IK ratings (IK01 to IK10) cover protection against mechanical impact, measured in joules. They are separate standards addressing different threats. Outdoor equipment in public areas (access control panels, intercom stations, outdoor enclosures subject to vandalism) should be specified with both an appropriate IP and IK rating.

What Australian standard covers IP ratings?

IP ratings in Australia are governed by AS 60529:2025, which is the Australian adoption of IEC 60529. This replaced the earlier AS 60529:2004 (R2018) version. The standard defines the test methods and pass/fail criteria for each IP digit value.

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