Understanding IP67, IP68 and IP69K protection ratings

Overview

Ingress Protection (IP) ratings define the degree of protection provided by an enclosure against the ingress of solid objects and water according to IEC 60529. These ratings help users select the appropriate sensor or device for their application environment.

What sort of water is used during IP testing?

The water protection tests defined by IP ratings are performed using clean fresh water under standardized laboratory conditions. The tests verify protection against water ingress only and do not evaluate exposure to:

• Oils and lubricants
• Coolants and cutting fluids
• Cleaning chemicals and detergents
• Solvents
• Salt water
• Acids or alkaline solutions

As a result, an IP67, IP68, or IP69K certified device may still require additional verification for applications involving chemicals, oils, coolants, or aggressive cleaning agents.

IP67

Devices with an IP67 rating are:

• Completely protected against dust ingress (first digit: 6).
• Protected against temporary immersion in water (second digit: 7).

Standardized test condition:
Temporary immersion in clean water at a depth of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. The test is intended to verify that no harmful quantity of water enters the enclosure.

Typical applications include industrial automation, warehouse logistics, and machinery operating in dusty or occasionally wet environments.

IP68

Devices with an IP68 rating provide:

• Complete protection against dust ingress.
• Protection against continuous immersion in water.

Standardized test condition:
Continuous immersion in clean water under conditions specified by the manufacturer. Immersion depth and duration are typically more demanding than IP67 and must be defined in the product documentation.

Compared to IP67, IP68 offers enhanced water protection and is suitable for applications where long-term immersion may occur.

IP69K

The IP69K rating represents one of the highest enclosure protection levels.

• Complete protection against dust ingress.
• Protection against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets.
• Suitable for intensive washdown procedures.

Standardized test condition:
Water temperature of approximately 80°C (176°F), sprayed from multiple angles at pressures up to 100 bar with a flow rate of approximately 14 to 16 liters per minute. The device is mounted on a rotating table during testing to ensure exposure from all directions.

IP69K is commonly used in food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other hygienic environments where equipment is cleaned with hot, pressurized water.

However, IP69K only verifies resistance to water-based washdown procedures. It does not certify resistance to cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, oils, lubricants, or process media.

Comparison Table

Key takeaway

An IP rating only describes protection against dust and water ingress under defined test conditions. It should never be interpreted as proof of resistance to oils, coolants, detergents, solvents, salt water, or chemicals. For such applications, always verify the material compatibility and environmental specifications provided by the manufacturer.