The Ultimate Guide to IP Ratings and Waterproofing: IP20, IP65, IP67, IP68, IP69, and IP69K

The Ultimate Guide to IP Ratings and Waterproofing: IP20, IP65, IP67, IP68, IP69, and IP69K

When buying a product, especially electronics or lighting, you often encounter the term "IP" followed by a number, such as IP20, IP65, or IP68. But what exactly do these numbers mean, and how do they influence product selection? In this comprehensive guide, we discuss IP ratings, their advantages, disadvantages, applications, and everything you need to know to choose the right product.

What is an IP rating?

IP stands for Ingress Protection and indicates the degree to which a product is protected against the ingress of solids (such as dust) and liquids (such as water). An IP rating consists of two digits:

• The first digit indicates protection against solid substances (e.g. dust).

• The second digit indicates protection against liquids (e.g. water).

The Meaning of the Numbers

First digit: Protection against solids

Figure	Meaning
0	No protection
1	Protected against objects > 50 mm
2	Protected against objects > 12.5 mm
3	Protected against objects > 2.5 mm
4	Protected against objects > 1 mm
5	Dust protected (not completely dust-tight)
6	Completely dustproof

Second digit: Protection against liquids

Figure	Meaning
0	No protection
1	Protected against dripping water
2	Protected against drops at an angle of 15°
3	Protected against spraying water
4	Protected against splashing water
5	Protected against water jets
6	Protected against powerful water jets
7	Protected against immersion up to 1 meter
8	Protected against prolonged immersion
9	Protected against high pressure and steam cleaning

IP Ratings in Detail

IP20: No protection against water

Features:

• Protected against objects larger than 12.5 mm.

• No protection against water.

Advantages:

• Cheap and lightweight.

• Suitable for indoor applications without exposure to moisture.

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for outdoor use or damp environments.

Applications:

• Interior lighting.

• Electronics for dry rooms.

IP65: Dust- and splash-proof

Features:

• Fully dust protected.

• Protected against water jets from any direction.

Advantages:

• Suitable for outdoor use.

• Resistant to rain and dust.

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for submersion.

Applications:

• Outdoor lighting.

• Garden and patio lighting.

• Devices in dusty environments.

IP67: Immersion proof

Features:

• Completely dustproof.

• Protected against temporary immersion up to 1 metre deep.

Advantages:

• Versatile and reliable.

• Ideal for wet environments and temporary immersion.

Disadvantages:

• Less suitable for prolonged underwater use.

Applications:

• Waterproof LED strips.

• Lighting in bathrooms or swimming pools.

• Electronics for boats.

IP68: Long-term immersion

Features:

• Completely dustproof.

• Protected against prolonged immersion, depending on manufacturer's specifications.

Advantages:

• Extremely waterproof.

• Suitable for underwater applications.

Disadvantages:

• Higher costs.

• Depending on specifications, may not be resistant to high water pressure.

Applications:

• Swimming pools.

• Fountains.

• Underwater lighting.

IP69: Protection against high-pressure cleaning

Features:

• Completely dustproof.

• Protected against powerful high-pressure and steam cleaning.

Advantages:

• Very robust.

• Suitable for demanding environments such as food processing.

Disadvantages:

• Relatively expensive.

• Overkill for standard applications.

Applications:

• Industrial equipment.

• Lighting fixtures in factories.

• Food processing equipment.

IP69K: Maximum protection against water and dust

Features:

• Completely dustproof.

• Protected against high pressure cleaning with hot steam (80 °C) and water jets.

Advantages:

• Extremely durable.

• Suitable for the toughest conditions.

Disadvantages:

• High costs.

• Usually only needed in specialized industries.

Applications:

• Food industry.

• Automotive sector.

• Military applications.

IP Rating Comparison Table

Classification	Dust density	Water resistance	Applications
IP20	No	No protection	Interior lighting, dry areas
IP65	Yes	Splashproof	Outdoor lighting, dusty environments
IP67	Yes	Temporary immersion	Swimming pools, boats, bathrooms
IP68	Yes	Long-term immersion	Fountains, underwater lighting
IP69	Yes	High pressure and steam cleaning	Food processing, industry
IP69K	Yes	High pressure cleaning with hot steam	Military applications, heavy industry

How to Choose the Right IP Rating?

1. Indoors or outdoors? For indoor use, IP20 is usually sufficient. For outdoor lighting, IP65 or higher is required.

2. Water Exposure: Choose IP67 or higher if there is a possibility of submersion.

3. Industrial applications: For extreme conditions, such as high-pressure cleaning, IP69 or IP69K is suitable.