Understanding IP Ratings: How To Specify Enclosures With the Right Level of Protection

February 7, 2025

DETERMINE THE RIGHT LEVEL OF INGRESS PROTECTION

If only watertightness were a simple matter of ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Unfortunately, it is not. An electronic enclosure that survives some wet conditions may leak in other instances. Pressure is a crucial factor – hence the wide range of ingress protection ratings.

IP ratings define how much protection an enclosure offers against solid particles and liquids. The first digit relates to dust/solids; the second concerns liquids. Significantly, a higher IP rating does not always mean ‘better’ – merely ‘different’.

IP 54 and IP 55 enclosures are more suited to general indoor or light outdoor use. IP 65 and IP 66 housings are common in industrial environments, while IP 67 is for devices requiring temporary protection against shallow immersion. The choice of rating(s) depends on the specific environmental challenges the enclosure is expected to withstand.

IP 54 AND IP 55

BASE-LEVEL SEALED ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURES

IP 54 enclosures offer protection against limited dust ingress and splashing water from any direction. While not entirely dust-tight, the design prevents particles from interfering with the operation of internal components. These enclosures undergo tests in which dust is introduced in a controlled environment to ensure that no harmful accumulation occurs.

For water resistance, IP X4 indicates protection against splashing. The five-minute test involves the enclosure being sprayed with water from various angles: 10 litres per minute at a pressure of 80-100 kPa. IP 54 is often sufficient for indoor electronic housings, some industrial control panels and some consumer devices where exposure to dust and moisture is minimal.

IP 55 enclosures provide a slightly higher level of water resistance compared with IP 54: they can cope with low-pressure water jets. The test is longer – 15 minutes –  and  is based on 12.5 litres/minute (30 kPa) at a distance of three metres. IP 55 enclosures are frequently used in industrial and outdoor applications where the risk of splashing and rain exposure is higher.

IP 65

ENCLOSURES FOR OUTDOOR ELECTRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS

IP 65 enclosures offer complete protection against dust ingress. This is verified through a vacuum test or by pressurising the enclosure while introducing fine particles of dust. In terms of water resistance, they can withstand low-pressure water jets in the same way as IP 55 enclosures. This makes them suitable for dusty or humid environments and for some industrial control systems.

IP 66

ENCLOSURES FOR CHALLENGING INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS

IP 66 is the point at which enclosures become suitable for more challenging industrial applications. They offer complete dust tightness: the testing process for protection against dust/solids follows the same principles as IP 65, ensuring no particle penetration.

Enclosures that are rated IP 66 can withstand stronger and more powerful jets of water than those used in the test for IP 55 and IP 65. The water test for IP 66 lasts three minutes: 100 litres/minute at 100 kPa at a distance of three metres. Water must not enter the enclosure in any harmful quantity.

This test simulates conditions such as heavy rain or temporary flooding in rough seas. It makes IP 66 enclosures ideal for harsh industrial environments, for outdoor installations and for some marine applications.

IP 67:

ENCLOSURES WITH PROTECTION AGAINST SHALLOW AND TEMPORARY IMMERSION

Do you recall when this article said earlier that a higher IP rating was not always better, merely different? IP 67 is a prime example of this. IP 67 enclosures are dustproof and can cope with short-term immersion in shallow water – but not with high-pressure spray jets.

In the test, the enclosure is dipped in water 150 mm to 1,000 mm deep for 30 minutes. The top must be at least 150 mm below the surface, and the water must be, at most, one metre deep (as measured from the bottom of the device). Water must not enter the housing in any harmful quantity.

The IP 67 rating is used for enclosures safeguarding sensitive electronics, sensors and communication devices that may be temporarily submerged in water or operated in extremely wet conditions.

OKW’S IP-RATED ENCLOSURES

View OKW’s wide range of sealed enclosures by IP rating:

IP 54 or IP 55 enclosures:

• BLOB – award-winning handheld enclosures >> 
• CARRYTEC – large handheld enclosures >> 
• DATEC-CONTROL (M, L) – handheld enclosures for large graphics displays >> 
• DATEC-POCKET-BOX – compact handheld enclosures >>
• DATEC-TERMINAL – modular plastic enclosures >>
• ERGO-CASE (S, M, L*) – body-contoured wearable enclosures >> (* Excludes L with display panel.)
• INTERFACE-TERMINAL – multifunction enclosures >>
• SLIM-CASE (Versions IV-VI) – mobile-phone-style enclosures >>
• SMART-CONTROL – wall/corner-mount and desktop enclosures >>
• SMART-TERMINAL – elegant extruded aluminum enclosures >> 
• SOFT-CASE (*) – wide-format handheld enclosures >>  (* Without battery compartment.)

IP 65 enclosures:

• BODY-CASE – small wearable enclosures >> 
• DATEC-COMPACT – tough handheld enclosures >> 
• DATEC-CONTROL (XS, S) – handheld enclosures for large graphics displays >> 
• DATEC-MOBIL-BOX – robust handheld enclosures >> 
• EASYTEC – fast-mount flanged enclosures >>
• EVOTEC – designer tabletop enclosures >> 
• HAND-TERMINAL – large handheld enclosures for control systems >> 
• MINI-DATA-BOX – fast-fit enclosures for miniaturized electronics >> 
• NET-BOX – low-profile wall-mount enclosures >> 
• PROTEC – sloping-front desktop enclosures >>
• SHELL-TYPE CASES (G Version I) – universal instrument enclosures >> 
• SLIM-CASE (Versions I-III) – mobile-phone-style enclosures >>
• SMART-BOX (170) – wall-mount/tabletop enclosures for industrial  electronics >>
• SMART-CASE (L Versions II-V, XL Versions II-V) – contoured handheld enclosures >> 
• SNAPTEC – fast-assembly wall-mount enclosures >> 
• STYLE-CASE (M, L) – stylish handheld enclosures >>

IP 66 or IP 67 enclosures:

• IN-BOX – strong industrial wall-mount enclosures >> 
• ROBUST-BOX – universal enclosures for industrial electronics >>
• SMART-BOX (90-150) – wall-mount/tabletop enclosures for industrial  electronics >>
• SOLID-BOX – IK08 enclosures for industrial electronics >>

And, don’t forget OKW can supply IP-rated enclosures fully customised to your exact requirements…

CUSTOMIZED IP-RATED PLASTIC ENCLOSURES

OKW’s customizing services include CNC machining, printing, laser marking, decor foils and RFI/EMI shielding. All the work is carried out in-house.

This ensures optimum quality and full accountability throughout the entire manufacturing process. It saves you time, money and administration – and is also better for your indirect carbon footprint because you’re dealing with just one supplier.

View OKW’s customizing services >>

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