Choosing and evaluating an electronics enclosure can be a daunting task. These enclosures often protect your most critical electronics, from machinery controls to security systems. So how can you ensure that you choose the right one? 

Fortunately, there’s a simple shorthand that will tell you what you need to know about an enclosure’s protective properties: IP ratings. This rating system is used around the world to rate the protective qualities of electronics enclosures, and it’s among the most reliable tools for making sure your enclosure selection does what you need it to do. 

IP65 and IP67 are two of the most popular enclosure ratings, and you’ve probably seen them when looking at different models of enclosures. You might be wondering what their differences are and how each one fulfills its purpose. We’ll dive into that today, but first—let’s check in with a refresher on how IP ratings work. 

What Are IP Ratings?

To get an idea of how IP ratings work, take a look at an IP ratings chart. Each IP rating is a two-digit number and each digit of the number has a specific meaning: 

• The first number identifies the level of protection against ingress of solids, including dust, dirt, debris and accidental contact. 
• The second number identifies the level of protection against ingress of liquids, including water, chemicals and any other liquids that may be present in the device’s environment. 

Note that there are some factors that IP ratings don’t take into account, such as resistance to heavy impacts and resistance to corrosion. If you need protection against these conditions, look into NEMA ratings (for corrosion) and IK ratings (for impacts). 

The IP65 Rating vs. the IP67 Rating: Head to Head

If you’re doing an IP65 vs. IP67 comparison, you should know that both are high-level ratings that provide excellent protection, and both are suitable for outdoor applications. However, there are a few key distinctions that may make a big difference for your specific application. 

The “6” digit at the beginning of both ratings means that both IP65- and IP67-rated enclosures offer total protection from solids ingress. Both of these enclosure types are typically equipped with gasket seals that are capable of blocking out even ultra-fine particles. Thus, both are suitable for most outdoor applications that require dust protection. 

The major difference between an IP65 rating and an IP67 rating is in the degree of liquid ingress protection that they offer:

• An IP65-rated enclosure gives protection against low pressure water jets from any direction, as well as condensation and water spray. It’s suitable for most outdoor enclosures that won’t encounter extreme weather such as flooding. 
• An IP67-rated enclosure offers much more substantial protection against liquid ingress. An enclosure with this rating will even protect against temporary submersion at depths of up to one meter. 

The only major protective feature that neither of these enclosure ratings offer is protection against prolonged submersion at depths over one meter. If your enclosure may be submerged for extended periods of time and at substantial depths, you’ll need an IP68 enclosure, which is rated to protect against these conditions. 

IP65- and IP67-Rated Enclosures from Polycase 

Polycase has numerous enclosure options with both IP65 and IP67 ratings available. Here are some of our most popular options with these ratings: 

• IP65-Rated Enclosures
  • WH Series: This hinged enclosure line offers an economical ABS indoor option along side the polycarbonate outdoor version. The all plastic design includes a molded in padlocking feature to keep your components safe from unauthorized access. 
  • WC Series: Outdoor-rated IP65 polycarbonate enclosures with a clear plastic cover for easy monitoring of internal components, plus PCB bosses and silicone gasket. 
• IP67-Rated Enclosures
  • AN Series: Our premier outdoor aluminum enclosures, rated all the way up to IP68 for prolonged submersion protection. With a waterproof gasket and built-in natural EMI protection, the AN series is a great choice for all kinds of demanding applications.
  • WQ Series: Fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate outdoor enclosures with high-quality stainless steel latches for quick access to internal components. These weatherproof, waterproof enclosures are among our toughest models. 

Polycase WQ-73

We have enclosures at nearly all common IP ratings, so if you haven’t seen one that fits your needs perfectly yet, make sure to check our full selection. We also offer custom cutouts and custom digital printing on most of our enclosures at competitive prices. 

Polycase is an industry leader in electronics enclosures with over 65 years of experience. We create ideal enclosure solutions for industrial clients, educational institutions and home electronics enthusiasts alike—and we’d like to help you create yours!