IP67 code. You can see it not only next to mobile phones but other electronical devices as well. What does it actually mean?

You've probably already come across labels such as IPX5, IP67 and so on. But what does it actually say about the characteristics of the headphones or mobile phone? In the following lines, we will try to explain it so that you know exactly what is hidden behind this label.

The IP designation is an abbreviation for the term "ingress protection". It signifies how well internal components of an electrical device are guarded against water, dust, or ingress. It's defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the international standard IEC 60529, which classifies and provides guidance for the degree of protection of electrical equipment. The standard is published within the European Union through the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) as EN 60529. The purpose of this standard is to provide you, as a customer, with accurate information rather than just marketing claims like "water-resistant."

So, let's take a closer look at how to correctly read the IP code. It always starts with the letters IP, followed by a combination of numbers and letters. The first value after the IP letters indicates the level of protection against solid particles' intrusion, and the second value indicates the level of water protection. These values are mandatory. Following them, there can be two additional values (alphabetical characters) that further specify the given level of protection.

DesignationFirst valueSecond valueAdditional valueSupplementary value
IP
0 - 6 or X0 - 9 or Xletter (A,B,C,D)letter (H,M,S,W)
definitionmandatorymandatoryoptionaloptional
Figure 1: A simple breakdown of the individual parts of an IP code

So, let's take a closer look at the actual values and what they indicate. As mentioned earlier, the first value specifies the level of protection of electrical equipment against solid particle intrusion.

Protection
degree		Effective
against		Description
X
not measuredNo available data to determine the degree of protection.
0
---No protection against contact and ingress of objects.
1
> 50 mmProtected against contact with any large part of the body. No protection against deliberate contact with a body part.
2
> 12.5 mmFingers, or similarly sized objects.
3
> 2.5 mmTools, thick wires etc.
4
> 1 mmMost wires, thin screws, large ants etc.
5
Dust protectedIngress of dust is possible but only in quantities that do not interfere or cause harm to the device.
6
Dust-tightNo dust ingress or contact with other objects. Test duration might be up to 8 hrs. depending on the airflow.
Figure 2: First value of an IP code - solid particle protection

The second value specifies the level of protection against water.

However, it should be kept in mind that ratings beyond IPX6 are no longer cumulative. So, while the IPX6 rating includes all prior protection levels (IPX2, IPX4, etc.), an IPX7 rating does not automatically mean IPX6 or IPX4 protection. This is because ratings up to and including IPX6 are tests against water jets, while ratings IPX7 and IPX8 are when the device is submerged in water. If the device meets some degree of protection against splashing water as well as immersion, both values are indicated separated by a slash (e.g. IPX5/IPX7).

Protection
degree		Effective
against		DescriptionTesting
X
not measuredNo available data to determine the degree of protection.---
0
---No protection against water.
1
dripping waterVertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect on the tested specimen.Test duration: 10 min.
Specimen is mounted upright onto a turntable rotating at 1 RPM. The amount of water is equivalent to a rainfall 1 mm / min.
2
dripping water when tilted at 15°Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect on the tested specimen tilted at an 15° angle from its normal position.Test duration: 10 min, 2.5 min per each position within 2 axes.
The amount of water is equivalent to a rainfall 3 mm / min.
3
spraying waterSpraying water at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect on the specimen.Test duration: 10 min, 5 min vertical and 5 min for horizontal position of the specimen.
Half circle tube with nozzles along the entire length oscillating between 60° - 120° from vertical sprays water on the specimen in 0.07 l per nozzle water volume.
4
splashing waterSplashing water against the enclosure of the specimen from any direction shall have no harmful effect.Test duration: 10 min, 5 min vertical and 5 min for horizontal position of the specimen.
Half circle tube with nozzles along the entire length oscillating between 60° - 120° from vertical sprays water on the specimen in 0.7 l per nozzle water volume.
5
water jetsWater projected in jets by a 6.3 mm nozzle against the enclosure of the specimen from any direction shall have no harmful effect.Test duration: >3 min.; 1 min/m2 of specimen's enclosure surface.
Pressure of projected water from 3 m distance towards the specimen is 30 kPa. Used amount of water during testing is 12.5 l/min.
6
powerful water jetsWater projected in powerful jets by a 12.5 mm nozzle against the enclosure of the specimen from any direction shall have no harmful effect.Test duration: >3 min.; 1 min/m2 of specimen's enclosure surface.
Pressure of projected water from 3 m distance towards the specimen is 100 kPa. Used amount of water during testing is 100 l/min.
6K
powerful water jets with increased pressureWater projected in powerful jets under elevated pressure by a 6.3 mm nozzle against the enclosure of the specimen from any direction shall have no harmful effect. (Specified in DIN 40050, not in EIC 60529).Test duration: >3 min.
Pressure of projected water from 3 m distance towards the specimen is 1000 kPa. Used amount of water during testing is 75 l/min.
7
submersion, up to 1 m depthThe enclosure of the specimen should withstand the ingress of harmful amounts of water into the electrical equipment after immersion in water under predefined conditions for pressure and time.Test duration: 30 min.
Lowest point of the enclosure submerged 1 m, or the highest point of the enclosure submerged 150 mm below the water surface, whichever is deeper.
8
submersion, 1 m depth or moreThe electrical equipment is suitable for long-term and repeated use in and under water under the conditions specified by the manufacturer. In some cases ingress of water is allowed however in such quantities that shall have no harmful effect to the device. Testing duration and submersion depth should be higher than that if an IPX7 test. Other environmental effects can be added as well (eg. temperature cycling before submersion).Test duration: agreement with the manufacturer.
Specimen is submerged in a depth specified by the manufacturer (generally up to 3m).
9
powerful water jets with high temperatureWater projected in powerful high-temperature jets under elevated pressure against the enclosure of the specimen shall have no harmful effect.Test duration: 2 min, 30 sec in each of 4 angles.
Specimen is fixated in standard use position. Pressure of projected water from 10 - 15 cm distance towards the specimen is 8 - 10 MPa, temperature of water is 80°C. Used amount of water during testing is 14 – 16 l/min.
Figure 3: Second value of an IP code - protection against water

Supplementary letter values (optional):

DesignationDescription
FOil resistant
HHigh voltage apparatus
MMotion during water testing
SNo motion during water testing
WWeather conditions
Figure 4: supplementary values

We hope that we have helped you with this article to better understand what the code means so that you can better compare and choose the right electrical device (cell phone, headphones, portable speaker, charger, plug, etc.) for your needs.

Product added to wishlist
Product added to compare.