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An IP code has two digits, each describing a different kind of protection. The first covers solid objects (dust, fingers, wire), the second covers water. In IP65, the 6 means complete dust protection and the 5 means resistance to water jets.
| Digit | 1st digit — solids | 2nd digit — water |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Objects over 2.5 mm | Spraying water up to 60° |
| 4 | Objects over 1 mm (wire) | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Limited dust ingress | Low-pressure water jets |
| 6 | Dust-tight | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | — | Temporary immersion (1 m, 30 min) |
Which rating for which environment?
- IP54 — enclosed, dry production areas where dust is limited and water only splashes.
- IP55 — workshops and warehouses where floors are hosed down but the panel is not a direct target.
- IP65 — food, chemical and textile dyeing plants; washed-down, dusty or humid production areas.
- IP66 — outdoors, lines cleaned with a wash-down lance, heavily dust-laden facilities.
- IP67 — floor-level installations that may be temporarily submerged; rarely needed for a panel.
Why a higher IP is not always right
The tighter the seal, the less the heat inside can escape. An IP65 enclosure has no air exchange; the heat produced by drives, transformers and power supplies inside leaves only through the body surface. That is why high-IP panels usually need a cooling unit or heat exchanger — a fan-and-filter combination lowers the IP rating.
Four things that break the rating on site
- Cutting a hole instead of using a cable gland: every hole without a seal voids the rating.
- A crushed or painted door gasket: if the sealing face does not seat properly, the seal is gone.
- Reducing the number of latches and hinges: on wide doors, too few latches let the gasket open in the middle.
- Cutting the roof for a cooling unit: without the correct flange, water goes straight in.
The IK code is a separate thing
IP describes protection against dust and water, not impact. Impact is covered by the IK code (IK08, IK10 and so on). Where there is forklift traffic or a chance of being struck by material, IK matters as much as IP. Sheet thickness and body construction are the deciders here.
For enclosures, busbars and panel climate control we work with Himel, Wepan and Tempa Pano. Share your environment and the heat load inside the panel, and we will settle the IP rating and the cooling solution together.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the difference between IP54 and IP55 matter in practice?
The first digit is the same, the second differs: IP54 withstands splashing, IP55 withstands low-pressure jets. In a workshop where floors are hosed and the hose can be pointed at the panel, IP55 is needed. If only the floor is washed and the panel sits high, IP54 is enough.
Is IP66 enough for an outdoor enclosure?
It is enough for water and dust, but outdoors brings two more issues: sun and condensation. A panel in direct sun heats up inside — it needs a sunshade or a double skin. A panel that cools overnight forms condensation inside, which calls for a heater and hygrostat. IP alone is not a sufficient criterion outdoors.
Does fitting buttons and lamps to the door reduce the IP rating?
The rating of the control device itself decides. IP65-rated pushbuttons and indicator lamps, fitted correctly with their seals, preserve the panel's rating. If the seal is forgotten or the hole is cut oversize, protection is lost at that point.
What should be chosen when the specification does not state an IP rating?
We decide by describing the environment: is there dust, is the area washed down, at what height is the panel, is it outdoors. In enclosed, dry production areas IP54 and in washed-down food and chemical plants IP65 are the choices that most often prove right. We work out the heat load inside the panel as part of the same decision.