Ingress protection, or IP, standards dictate the level of water and fine particulate protection for components and equipment enclosures. Significant differences exist between water resistant, waterproof, and other labels—but what do each of the actual IP standards mean?
First, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) sets these standards based on testing protocols and general requirements. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll focus on the differences between IP65, IP66 and IP67. Each of these ratings represents a slightly different level of water protection for enclosures and components like IP-rated connectors.
First Digit: Solids
As mentioned above, IP stands for “ingress protection.” The first digit represents protection against solids. A “6” means the enclosure or component is dust tight. No dust enters the enclosure after significant, rigorous testing.
It is the highest level of the solid particle protection.
Second Digit: Liquids
In simple terms, the higher the value of the second digit, the greater the level of protection from liquids.
Summarized, each rating is as follows:
IP65: Water projected from a nozzle from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
IP66: Water projected in powerful jets from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
IP67: Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time.
Testing details that lead to the above ratings are as follows:
| Testing Features | IP65 | IP66 | IP67 |
| Protection Against | Water Jets | Powerful water jets | Immersion up to 1 meter |
| Test Method | Water projected by a nozzle 6.3 mm (.25 in.) against enclosure | Water projected by powerful jets 12.5 mm (.49 in.) against enclosure | Immersion at depth of at least 1 m measured at bottom of enclosure, and at least 150 mm at top |
| Duration | 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes | 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Water Pressure | 30 kPa (4.4 psi) from 3 meters (9.8 ft) | 100 kPa (15 psi) from 3 meters (9.8 ft) | N/A |
| Water Volume | 12.5 liters per minute | 100 liters per minute | N/A |
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