What Does IP65 Mean?

Defining what is IP65

You’ve been tasked to find the best IP65 rated Panel PC. Your first question might be – what does IP65 mean?

The quick answer is that IP65 is an international standard that indicates that an electrical enclosure is dust tight and watertight against light pressure water spray. Keep reading to learn more about the standard and the use cases for an IP65 computer.

IEC 60549

The International electrical Commission (IEC) defines the IP Code or Ingress Protection Code as standard IEC 60529. It classifies the degree of protection for electrical equipment provided by an enclosure against dust and other foreign bodies, accidental contact, and water. In the European Union, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization publishes it as EN 60529.

What does the first digit in an IP rating mean?

The first digit in an IP rating indicates a given enclosure’s level of protection against solid objects. This can include everything from fingers to small particles of dust or other airborne contaminants. In the case of IP65 rated enclosures, 6 is the highest rating against solid object ingress. That means that the product is “dust-tight” – see chart below.

What does the second digit in an IP rating mean?

The second number in an IP rating represents the resistance of the enclosure to liquids. The number 5 in an IP65 enclosure indicates it is protected from light pressure water jets and other liquids sprayed or splashed, from any angle. For reference, the IP rating for liquids extends up to the number 9. An IP69 rated enclosure protects its internal components from liquids even when immersed beyond 1m or sprayed with close-range powerful water jets.

IP Ratings Chart

Where are IP65 LED Lights used?

• Outdoor Lighting
  • gardens
  • courtyards
  • parking lots
  • building exteriors
• Industrial and commercial settings
  • warehouses
  • workshops
  • retail spaces

The takeaway

If you are looking for an IP rated solution, be sure to fully account for your environmental protection needs.  Deploying a system with a less stringent rating could result in ingress of particulate or liquid that may cause your LED Lights to Wrong. Too high a rating could mean that you are over engineering and possibly spending more than you need to. If you want to discuss the dust, water, or other ingress concerns in your environment, contact our sales team for help finding the solution that works for you.