When to Install an IP66 or IP67 Product?
If you work in the electrical industry in Australia, especially in coastal areas or industrial sites, you’ve most likely seen a range of products rated IP66 or IP67.
But what is the difference between them? And more importantly, which should you choose for your project?
What does an IP rating mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection and is the international rating system defined by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard IEC60529.
This rating classifies how well an enclosure protects against dust, dirt, debris and liquids.
An IP rating consists of two digits:
- First digit – protection against foreign solid objects rated from 0-6
- Second digit – protection against moisture or liquids rated between 0-9
- If a digit is listed as “X” it means the product has not been tested for that specific intrusion type.
So, both the IP66 and IP67 are fully dust tight. The difference between them lies in the second digit.
What is IP66?
An IP66 rated enclosure can withstand…
- Heavy rain
- Hose-down cleaning
- Water projected from any direction
Common Australian Applications for IP66
- Outdoor switchboards
- Industrial sites
- Car parks
- Washdown areas in warehouses
- Agricultural buildings
- Coastal Environments
IP66 is ideal where equipment will be exposed to heavy rain or high-pressure water.
What is IP67?
An IP67 rated enclosure is designed to withstand temporary immersion in water.
- Immersion in up to 1 metre of water
- For up to 30 minutes
This does not mean it can survive permanent submersion, rather it can survive accidental flooding or water pooling.
Common Australian Applications for IP67
- Maritime applications
- Underground cable joints
- Outdoor junction boxes
- Landscape lighting
- Irrigation systems
- Any areas where pooling could occur
Which One Should You Choose?
IP66 is best suited for elevated outdoor areas where there is potential for the enclosure to face rain or be cleaned with a hose.
Choose IP67 if the enclosure will be closer to ground level, where there is potential for flooding or if it is part of an underground infrastructure.
To make the right choice for your project, consider:
- The type of water exposure
- Installation height
- Flood risk
- Cleaning methods
- Local environmental conditions
Choosing the correct IP rating helps ensure compliance, longevity and fewer call-backs.
At Connected Switchgear, we supply a wide range of IP66 and IP67 Industrial Switchgear.
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