An outdoor electronics enclosure will often be all that’s standing between your device and a driving rainstorm or a wind gust full of electronics-choking dust. IP ratings will help you choose an enclosure that’s up to the job.

IP66 and IP68 are two of the most common ratings that you’ll see on outdoor electrical enclosures. It’s important to know the difference between these two, so let’s take a quick look at the major differences between IP66 vs. IP68.

steel enclosure with electrical switches inside

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Quick Explainer: IP Ratings

If you need to get up to speed on IP ratings, here’s how they work:

  • IP ratings are based on section 60529 of the International Electrical Code, referred to as IEC 60529. This IEC section specifies certain protective qualities that many electrical enclosures need to have and creates a rating system for electrical enclosures.
  • That rating system is called the ingress protection (IP) rating system. It’s widely used to rate electrical enclosures in the E.U. and outside the U.S. In the U.S., IP ratings are often used alongside the NEMA enclosure rating system.
  • Each IP rating is a combination of two numbers that give important information about the enclosure’s protective specs. IP66 and IP68, which we’ll talk about and compare in this article, are two of the most commonly used IP ratings.
  • The first number specifies a level of protection against solid ingress, on a scale from 1 to 6. A 1 offers only the most basic protection, while a 6 is totally dust-tight.
  • The second number specifies a level of protection against liquid ingress, on a scale from 1 to 8. Again, a 1 is the lowest level of protection, while an 8 is designed to survive even prolonged submersion.

Differences Between IP66 vs. IP68

IP66 enclosures and IP68 enclosures are both common IP electrical enclosure ratings. These enclosures are designed for outdoor grade protection for your electrical device, and both can do an excellent job at protecting against adverse conditions.

However, they offer different levels of protection. Let’s compare:

  • IP66 enclosures provide completely dust-tight protection against solid ingress. Against liquids, it provides excellent protection against all kinds of splashing and dripping water, as well as high-pressure hoses and even temporary flooding.
  • An IP66 enclosure box is an excellent choice for all kinds of outdoor applications, as well as demanding indoor applications like water treatment facilities, heavy manufacturing centers, and food processing plants.
  • IP68 enclosures also provide dust-tight performance against solids. However, they’re also rated for significantly better defense against water ingress than an IP66 enclosure. An IP68 enclosure can withstand submersion for over 30 minutes at up to a specified water depth.
  • Device designers specify IP68 electrical boxes in the most demanding environments, including marine applications and other circumstances where a device might have to withstand heavy, prolonged flooding.

opening door of electrical enclosure

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The Bottom Line on IP66 vs. IP68

For many indoor and outdoor applications alike, an IP66 enclosure will give your device all the protection it needs. IP66 enclosures are often available at a lower price point than IP68 enclosures, which makes them a more economical option for businesses that don’t need the extra waterproofing of an IP68 enclosure.

Sometimes, however, an application might require the strongest degree of ingress protection available. Device designers who work in these applications will specify an IP68 enclosure. Note, however, that all IP68 enclosures are rated for submersion up to a specific depth, so it’s important to check the enclosure’s specs.

If your protection needs are somewhere in the middle, you might also consider an IP67-rated enclosure. See our IP67 vs. IP68 guide to understand the key differences of the IP67 rating.

IP66 Enclosures from Polycase

  • Polycase SA Series: Hinged stainless steel enclosures with excellent corrosion resistance and a wide variety of available accessories
  • Polycase EX Series: Anodized aluminum enclosures that are tough enough for outdoors, but sleek enough for anywhere
  • Polycase WC Series: Tough polycarbonate enclosures available with an optional transparent cover

IP68 Enclosures from Polycase

Polycase AN-19F Aluminum Diecast IP68 Enclosure

Polycase AN-19F Aluminum Diecast IP68 Enclosure

Polycase is always happy to help our customers understand enclosure rating systems or any other aspect of how our enclosures perform. Contact our experts at 1-800-248-1233, or reach out to us online for more information.

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