IP and IK Protection Rating Calculator
Check the meaning of the first and second IP numerals and the corresponding IK impact energy (joules) from the standard tables for panels, boxes and luminaires.
Formula used
IEC 60529: IP [Solid: 0–6][Water: 0–9] · IEC 62262: IK00–IK10 (Joules)
IP first characteristic numeral · solid objects and touch protection (IEC 60529)
The first digit after IP indicates the degree of protection against ingress of solid foreign objects and access to hazardous parts.
| First digit | Object size limit | Protection description |
|---|---|---|
| IP0X | No protection | No protection against contact or ingress of solid foreign objects. |
| IP1X | ≥ 50 mm | Protected against solid objects ≥ 50 mm and accidental contact with the back of the hand. |
| IP2X | ≥ 12.5 mm | Protected against solid objects ≥ 12.5 mm and contact with a finger. |
| IP3X | ≥ 2.5 mm | Protected against solid objects ≥ 2.5 mm and contact with a tool or wire. |
| IP4X | ≥ 1.0 mm | Protected against solid objects ≥ 1.0 mm and contact with a thin wire. |
| IP5X | Dust-protected | Ingress of dust is not totally prevented, but does not enter in a quantity that interferes with operation; complete touch protection. |
| IP6X | Dust-tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact with live or moving parts. |
IP second characteristic numeral · water ingress protection (IEC 60529)
The second digit after IP indicates the degree of protection against harmful ingress of water.
| Second digit | Exposure type | Protection description |
|---|---|---|
| IPX0 | No protection | No protection against water. |
| IPX1 | Vertical dripping | Protected against vertically falling water drops. |
| IPX2 | Dripping (15° tilt) | Protected against vertically falling water drops when the enclosure is tilted up to 15°. |
| IPX3 | Spraying (up to 60°) | Protected against water sprayed at any angle up to 60° from the vertical. |
| IPX4 | Splashing | Protected against water splashed against the enclosure from any direction. |
| IPX5 | Water jets (6.3 mm nozzle) | Protected against water projected in jets (6.3 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction. |
| IPX6 | Powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle) | Protected against powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle) from any direction. |
| IPX7 | Temporary immersion (1 m, 30 min) | Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water under defined pressure and time. |
| IPX8 | Continuous immersion | Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer. |
| IPX9 | High-pressure and high-temperature water jets | Protected against close-range high-pressure, high-temperature spray downs. |
IK mechanical impact protection table (IEC 62262)
Impact energy in joules (J) and the corresponding test hammer mass and drop height defined in IEC 62262.
| IK code | Impact energy (J) | Test mass | Drop height |
|---|---|---|---|
| IK00 | 0 | – | – |
| IK01 | 0.14 | 0.25 kg | 56 mm |
| IK02 | 0.2 | 0.25 kg | 80 mm |
| IK03 | 0.35 | 0.25 kg | 140 mm |
| IK04 | 0.5 | 0.25 kg | 200 mm |
| IK05 | 0.7 | 0.25 kg | 280 mm |
| IK06 | 1 | 0.25 kg | 400 mm |
| IK07 | 2 | 0.5 kg | 400 mm |
| IK08 | 5 | 1.7 kg | 300 mm |
| IK09 | 10 | 5 kg | 200 mm |
| IK10 | 20 | 5 kg | 400 mm |
Example: what do IP65 and IK08 mean on an electrical enclosure?
- First digit (6 — Dust-tight): No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact with live or moving parts.
- Second digit (5 — Water jets (6.3 mm nozzle)): Protected against water projected in jets (6.3 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction.
- Impact code (IK08): withstands 5 J mechanical impact (1.7 kg mass from 300 mm).
What is the difference between IP65, IP66 and IP67?
All three have a first digit of 6 (dust-tight). The second digit differs: IP65 protects against water jets (6.3 mm nozzle), IP66 against powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle), and IP67 against temporary immersion (1 m, 30 min). Jet protection (IP65/IP66) does not automatically imply immersion protection (IP67) unless dual-rated.
What do the IP rating numerals indicate?
Under IEC 60529, the first numeral (0–6) defines protection against solid foreign objects and access to hazardous parts; the second numeral (0–9) defines protection against water ingress.
How is the IK impact protection code read?
The IK00–IK10 codes in IEC 62262 express the mechanical impact energy in joules (J) that an enclosure can withstand without losing its specified degree of protection.