IP ratings explained: what IP20, IP44, IP54, IP65, IP67, IP68 and IPX4 mean
In short
Learn how to read both IP digits, what IP20, IP44, IP54, IP65, IP67, IP68 and IPX4 mean, why IPX20 is probably an error, and how to choose protection for indoor and outdoor use.
An IP rating tells you how well an electrical enclosure protects against access, solid objects, dust and water. The first character after “IP” covers solids; the second covers water. IP20, IP44, IP54, IP65, IP66, IP67 and IP68 therefore describe different test conditions—not a simple ladder from “bad” to “waterproof.” For outdoor lighting in Estonia, choose the rating for the actual exposure, then check the manufacturer’s installation instructions, operating temperature, cable entries and mounting position.
Quick answer: what do common IP ratings mean?
| Rating | Protection in plain language | Typical starting point |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Protected against finger-sized solid objects; no declared water protection. | Dry indoor rooms and protected electrical equipment. |
| IP44 | Protected against objects over 1 mm and splashing water from any direction. | Sheltered outdoor positions and some damp locations, when the product instructions allow it. |
| IP54 | Dust-protected and protected against splashing water. | Workshops, garages and partly exposed locations where dust matters. |
| IP65 | Dust-tight and protected against water jets. | Many exposed wall, façade, yard and work lights. |
| IP66 | Dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets. | More demanding exposed or washdown environments. |
| IP67 | Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion under defined test conditions. | Equipment at risk of temporary flooding or immersion—only within the manufacturer’s limits. |
| IP68 | Dust-tight and suitable for continuous immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer. | Special immersion applications; depth and duration must be checked in the documentation. |
Important: “water-resistant” is not a precise substitute for an IP code. IP65 does not permit immersion, and IP68 does not tell you a universal depth or duration.
How to read an IP code
The IP system is defined by IEC 60529 for enclosures of electrical equipment. Read the two positions separately:
IP 6 5 = dust protection level 6 + water protection level 5.
A high first digit cannot compensate for a low second digit. IP60 is dust-tight but has no declared water protection. Likewise, IPX5 tells you about water jets but makes no statement about the solids test.
First digit: protection against access and solid objects
| Digit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No declared protection. |
| 1 | Protected against objects larger than 50 mm. |
| 2 | Protected against finger access and objects larger than 12.5 mm. |
| 3 | Protected against objects larger than 2.5 mm, such as some tools and thicker wires. |
| 4 | Protected against objects larger than 1 mm, including many small wires. |
| 5 | Dust-protected: some dust may enter, but not enough to interfere with safe operation. |
| 6 | Dust-tight. |
Second digit: protection against water
| Digit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No declared water protection. |
| 1 | Vertically falling water drops. |
| 2 | Dripping water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15°. |
| 3 | Spraying water up to 60° from vertical. |
| 4 | Splashing water from any direction. |
| 5 | Water jets from any direction. |
| 6 | Powerful water jets. |
| 7 | Temporary immersion under defined pressure and time conditions. |
| 8 | Continuous immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer. |
| 9 | High-pressure, high-temperature water jets under the applicable test conditions. |
What does the X mean—and is IPX20 valid?
An X means no protection level is stated for that position. For example, IPX4 states water protection level 4 but does not declare a solids rating. IP2X states solids/access protection level 2 but does not declare a water rating.
IPX20 is not a normal two-position IEC IP code. It is most likely a typo or a mixture of IP20 and IPX2. Do not guess which one was intended: check the official product label, technical sheet or manual. This matters because IP20 declares no water protection, while IPX2 describes a specific dripping-water test and says nothing about solid objects.
IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68: higher is not always better
The water tests up to level 6 concern drops, spray and jets. Levels 7 and 8 concern immersion. These are different stresses. ABB’s IEC 60529 guidance notes that water protection is not automatically cumulative above level 6: a product tested for immersion may not have been tested against powerful jets.
If equipment must withstand both cleaning jets and immersion, look for explicit multiple ratings or documentation covering both conditions. A label such as IP66/IP68 provides more useful information than assuming IP68 includes every lower water test.
Which IP rating should you choose?
| Location or use | What to assess | Practical guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Dry living room, office or corridor | No expected water exposure. | IP20 is common, provided the product and installation are suitable. |
| Covered porch or deep roof overhang | Wind-driven rain, condensation and mounting direction. | IP44 may be a starting point; exposed positions often need more. |
| Open wall, façade, yard or driveway | Rain, snow, dust, hose spray and freezing conditions. | IP65 is a common practical choice, but confirm the exact product instructions. |
| Workshop, warehouse or dusty utility area | Dust level, cleaning method and impact risk. | Compare IP54, IP65 or IP66 and check the separate IK impact rating where relevant. |
| Ground-level or recessed outdoor fitting | Standing water, drainage, snowmelt and cable sealing. | IP67 or IP68 may be required, but drainage and the manufacturer’s immersion limits remain essential. |
| Portable flashlight or headlamp | Rain, drops, dirty gloves, charging-port cover and battery compartment seals. | Read both the IP rating and the manual; close every cover correctly before exposure. |
These are selection starting points, not installation rules for every site. Bathrooms, pools, saunas, industrial washdown areas and fixed mains wiring have additional requirements. Use a qualified electrician or project designer where the location or regulations demand it.
What an IP rating does not tell you
- Impact resistance: check the separate IK rating.
- Corrosion resistance: salt, chemicals and road spray can damage unsuitable materials even when the enclosure has a high IP rating.
- UV resistance: outdoor plastics and seals must be suitable for sunlight.
- Operating temperature: an IP68 product is not automatically suitable for an Estonian winter.
- Condensation management: a sealed enclosure can still experience condensation from temperature changes.
- Electrical safety class: Class I, II and III are different from the IP code.
- Installation quality: incorrect glands, loose covers, damaged seals or the wrong mounting position can invalidate the intended protection.
Estonian outdoor conditions: check more than rain
Outdoor equipment in Estonia can face wind-driven rain, wet snow, freeze–thaw cycles, dust, insects and long seasonal temperature changes. A suitable IP rating is necessary, but the whole installation must work together: luminaire, junction box, cable gland, seal, drainage route and mounting surface.
For a professional reference point, Tallinn’s public-lighting guide specifies at least IP65 for decorative luminaires, IP66 for street luminaires and IP68 for in-ground luminaires. Those are project requirements for that context—not a universal shopping rule for every private installation—but they illustrate why exposure and mounting type matter.
Five checks before buying or installing
- Identify the real exposure: dry air, splashes, rain, jets, temporary flooding or continuous immersion.
- Read both IP positions and treat X as “not stated,” not zero and not automatically protected.
- For IP67 or IP68, verify the stated depth, duration and installation conditions.
- Check temperature, UV, corrosion and IK impact resistance separately.
- Follow the manual for cable entries, seals, covers, orientation and professional installation.
Browse suitable Nordeks categories
Use the rating as one filter—not the whole decision. Recheck each product’s current specification and manual before ordering for a demanding location.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP65 waterproof?
IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets. It does not mean the product can be submerged.
Can IP44 be used outdoors?
IP44 can suit some sheltered outdoor locations, but the correct choice depends on rain exposure, mounting position, cable entries, temperature and the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?
IP67 covers temporary immersion under defined test conditions. IP68 covers continuous immersion under conditions set by the manufacturer, so the allowed depth and duration must be read from the documentation.
Does IP68 include IP65 or IP66?
Not automatically. Immersion and water-jet tests are different. Look for explicit multiple ratings or manufacturer confirmation if both forms of exposure matter.
What does IPX4 mean?
IPX4 declares protection against splashing water from any direction. The X means no solids rating is stated.
Official technical references
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