Anyone who builds, designs or works with electronics knows the value of standardization. Following the right set of standards is always crucial, and when it comes to electronics enclosures, the ingress protection rating (IP) standards are among the most commonly used. These standards measure and rate an enclosure’s resistance to common environmental hazards like water and airborne debris.

It’s important to understand IP ratings and how you can use them to compare the protective features of the various enclosure models Polycase offers. In particular, many people find it useful to compare various ratings head to head. The question of IP65 vs. IP68 is a particularly common one, so let’s take a few minutes to explore what these two common IP ratings mean and how to use them.
smiling electrician repairing electrical

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IP Ratings: Two-Minute Primer

IP ratings are two-digit numbers that rate an enclosure’s resistance to ingress from solid matter and from water. They’re based on the IEC 60529 standard of the International Electrical Code, although you might also hear this standard referred to casually as the IP code. IP ratings are most common in the European Union, but you’ll find them in use all over the world.

What do the digits of an IP rating mean? The first digit represents the enclosure’s solid ingress resistance on an ascending scale of 0-6, while the second digit measures the enclosure’s water ingress resistance on an ascending scale of 0-8. Put the first number and second number together as a two-digit number and you’ve got a simple and effective shorthand for an enclosure’s overall degree of protection.

We cover IP ratings in more detail in our IP ratings guide. If you’re looking for a more thorough understanding of these important ratings and their functionality, it’s a great place to start.

The IP65 Rating

The IP65 enclosure rating is a common rating for indoor and outdoor electrical enclosures. Since the first digit is 6, any enclosure with this rating provides dust-tight protection against all kinds of airborne dust and dirt, as well as against accidental contact with workers’ bodies, or with solid objects such as tools.

Since the second digit is 5, IP65 enclosures also protect against water ingress from sources up to and including low-pressure nozzle jets. An IP65 enclosure will also protect against lesser types of water ingress, such as splashing or dripping water, as well as wet weather such as misting and rain.

Polycase WA-23 an IP65 enclosure

Polycase WA-23, an IP65 enclosure

The IP68 Rating

The IP68 enclosure rating is reserved for enclosures that offer the most robust protection against all forms of solid and water ingress. Like the IP65 rating, its first digit (6) indicates total protection against dust ingress.

However, its second digit (8) indicates it also provides protection against water ingress from total submersion, including prolonged submersion in at least a meter of water. It also offers the protective features of lower IP ratings, such as protection against high-pressure water jets, and against rain, sleet and snow. That makes it the toughest of the IP enclosure ratings and a first choice for applications that require extreme water-resistant performance against submersion, wash-downs or weather conditions.

Polycase AN-16P an IP68 enclosure

Polycase AN-16P, an IP68 enclosure

IP65 vs. IP68: Choosing the Best Option

  • IP65 enclosures are a good choice when you need durable everyday indoor or outdoor protection for outdoor electrical equipment. Most IP65 enclosures also come at a relatively lower price point, so they’re a good choice for general applications that need a more basic enclosure.
  • IP68 enclosures should be the choice when you need the most complete protection for your outdoor devices. Enclosures with IP68 ratings tend to cost more, but if your application demands prolonged submersion resistance, an IP68 electrical box is a must-have.
You should know the IP68 rating itself only specifies the enclosure must keep water out at a depth of one meter or more. Different IP68 enclosures are rated to withstand different lengths of submersion, depths and pressures, so always be sure to double-check an IP68 enclosure’s specifications to ensure it’s suitable for your application.

IP66 enclosures and IP67 enclosures can also be good options if your enclosure needs a level of protection somewhere between these two options. (See how the IP65 vs. IP66 ratings stack up here.) No matter what rating you choose, make sure an independent testing authority like UL has certified the rating on your enclosure. All of Polycase’s IP-rated enclosures are UL tested and certified.

IP65 Enclosures and IP68 Enclosures from Polycase

Polycase has a wide variety of IP-rated enclosures and flexible customization options. If you’re looking for IP65 enclosures or IP68 enclosures, we’re proud to offer several models of both:

  • IP65 Enclosures

  • IP68 Enclosures

    • Polycase HD Series: Ultra-durable polycarbonate enclosures can handle anything and everything
    • Polycase AN Series: Diecast aluminum IP68 enclosures are as hardy as they are attractive
Our enclosure experts are always happy to help you differentiate between ratings, choose an enclosure, customize an enclosure or do anything else you need. Call us at 1-800-248-1233 or contact us online.
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