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Guide

IP ratings and NEMA enclosure types explained

What IP20, IP54, IP65, IP66 and IP67 mean, how they relate to NEMA enclosure types, and how to pick an enclosure rating for a panel or device.

  • 5 min read
  • Updated

Reading an IP code

  • First digit (0 to 6): protection against solids. 5 is dust-protected, 6 is dust-tight.
  • Second digit (0 to 9): protection against water. 4 is splashing, 5 is water jets, 6 is powerful jets, 7 is temporary immersion.
  • IP20 is finger-safe but not protected against water, which is typical inside a control cabinet.
  • IP65 and IP66 are common for outdoor or washdown devices, and IP67 for equipment that may be submerged briefly.

  • NEMA 12: indoor use, protection against dust and dripping non-corrosive liquids.
  • NEMA 4: indoor or outdoor, protection against windblown dust, rain and hose-directed water.
  • NEMA 4X: as type 4, with added corrosion resistance, often in stainless steel or plastic.
  • NEMA ratings are tested for additional criteria, so treat equivalence with IP codes as approximate.

  1. Identify where the equipment will sit: clean control room, dusty floor, outdoors or washdown area.
  2. Select the minimum rating for that environment, with some margin.
  3. Check that cable glands, connectors and ventilation also keep the rating.
  4. Remember heat: sealed enclosures need cooling or heat dissipation planning.

Frequently asked questions

Is IP67 better than IP65?

IP67 allows temporary immersion in water, while IP65 protects against water jets. Choose by the real exposure, not just the highest number.

Does the IP rating apply to the whole panel?

Only to the tested enclosure or device as installed. Open doors, glands and cut-outs can reduce it.

Are NEMA and IP ratings the same?

They are related, but NEMA types include extra tests such as corrosion and construction, so they are not exactly equivalent.

This guide is general engineering guidance. Always confirm part-specific details, ratings and compatibility against the manufacturer’s datasheet. We confirm price, stock and specifications for the exact part in a written quotation. See the glossary for the terms used here.