Technical Reference Guide

IP Ratings
Explained

The Complete Guide for Electrical Enclosure Selection

An IP (Ingress Protection) rating is a standardised measure of how well an electrical enclosure protects its contents against solid particles (dust, dirt) and liquids (water, rain, jets). Defined by BS EN 60529, every IP rating consists of two digits — each with a specific meaning.

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How IP Ratings Work

Decoding the IP Code

An IP rating always takes the form IP [X][Y] where X is the first digit (solid protection) and Y is the second digit (liquid protection). For example, IP66 = first digit 6 (dust-tight) + second digit 6 (powerful water jets).

FIRST DIGIT — Solid Particle Protection

Digit	Protection Level	Meaning
0	None	No protection
1	>50mm	Back of hand
2	>12.5mm	Finger
3	>2.5mm	Tools
4	>1mm	Wire
5	Dust protected	Limited dust ingress
6	Dust-tight	No dust ingress at all

SECOND DIGIT — Liquid Ingress Protection

Digit	Protection Level	Meaning
0	None	No protection
1	Drips (vertical)	Vertical dripping water
2	Drips (15°)	Dripping at 15° tilt
3	Spraying water	Up to 60° from vertical
4	Splashing	Any direction
5	Low-pressure jets	Any direction
6	Powerful jets	High pressure, any direction
7	Immersion to 1m	30 minutes
8	Continuous immersion	Manufacturer’s depth specification

IP Rating Comparison

Common IP Ratings Compared

IP Rating	Solid Protection	Liquid Protection	Typical Application	TEC Stock?
IP44	Wires >1mm	Splashing, any direction	Indoor general-purpose	Yes
IP54	Dust protected	Splashing, any direction	Indoor/sheltered outdoor	Yes
IP55	Dust protected	Low-pressure jets	Light outdoor, washdown	Yes
IP65	Dust-tight	Low-pressure jets	Outdoor, light washdown	Yes
IP66	Dust-tight	Powerful jets, any direction	Outdoor UK standard — most specified	Yes — most materials
IP67	Dust-tight	Immersion to 1m / 30 min	Temporary submersion, flood risk	Yes
IP68	Dust-tight	Continuous immersion (spec varies)	Permanent submersion, subsea	Yes — to 300m depth
IP69K	Dust-tight	High-temp high-pressure steam	Food processing, brewery	On request

IP67 vs IP68 — The Key Difference: IP67 requires testing to 1 metre depth for 30 minutes. IP68 is tested to the manufacturer’s specified depth for a continuous period. TEC’s specialist IP68 range is tested to 300 metres continuous submersion — far exceeding the standard IP68 specification.

IK Ratings

IK Ratings — Impact Protection

IK ratings (defined by BS EN 62262) describe protection against mechanical impact — separate from IP protection. IK ratings are particularly relevant for public-facing infrastructure, EV charging equipment, and any installation with vandalism or accidental impact risk.

IK Rating	Impact Energy	Equivalent Impact	Applications
IK07	2 joules	200g mass from 1m height	General industrial indoor
IK08	5 joules	1.7kg mass from 0.3m height	Outdoor, light public exposure
IK09	10 joules	5kg mass from 0.2m height	Demanding outdoor applications
IK10	20 joules	5kg mass from 0.4m height	Public-facing, EV charging, street furniture

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What IP rating do I need for an outdoor electrical enclosure?

IP66 is the standard specification for permanent outdoor electrical enclosures in the UK. IP66 provides complete dust protection and protection against powerful water jets from any direction — suitable for all UK weather conditions including driving rain and power washing. For coastal or marine installations, IP66 remains appropriate but material selection (GRP or 316L stainless) becomes critical.

What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?

IP67 requires the enclosure to withstand temporary immersion in water to a depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes. IP68 is tested to the manufacturer's specified depth for a continuous period without time limit. TEC's specialist IP68 range is tested to 300 metres continuous submersion. IP67 is appropriate for flood-risk applications; IP68 is required for permanent underwater installations.

Is IP66 the same as IP67?

No. IP66 provides protection against powerful water jets but not against immersion. IP67 adds protection against temporary submersion to 1 metre depth. An IP67 enclosure is also IP66 compliant. If your application involves any risk of flooding or submersion, IP67 minimum should be specified.

What is IP69K?

IP69K is a special rating describing protection against high-temperature, high-pressure steam cleaning or washdown — as used in food processing, brewery, and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. Standard IP66 or IP68 enclosures are not rated for high-pressure steam cleaning. IP69K enclosures are available from TEC on request — contact our technical team.

What is an IK10 rating?

IK10 is the highest classification under BS EN 62262, describing protection against 20 joule mechanical impacts — equivalent to a 5kg mass dropped from 400mm height. IK10 is recommended for public-facing enclosures including EV charging stations, roadside controls, and any installation with significant vandalism or accidental impact risk.

IP RatingsExplained