IP55 rating explained: dust-protected and jet-resistant
Limited dust ingress plus low-pressure water jets from any direction.
Want the full system, or to decode any other code? See the IEC 60529 standard explained or the IP rating decoder.
What IP55 protects against
Key facts
- Standard
- IEC 60529 (Ingress Protection code)
- Dust
- 5 = dust-protected (not fully dust-tight)
- Water
- 5 = low-pressure jets from any direction
- Best for
- General outdoor and industrial enclosures
- Does not cover
- Immersion, powerful jets (IP66), heavy dust (IP6X)
What IP55 protects against
The first digit, 5, means dust-protected: limited dust may enter but not enough to impair operation. The second digit, 5, means the enclosure resists low-pressure water jets from any direction, tested with a 6.3 mm nozzle at 12.5 litres per minute.
IP55 is a practical general-purpose rating for outdoor and industrial enclosures, motors and panels that face dust and hose-level jets but do not need a fully dust-tight seal or immersion protection.
IP55 next to IP54 and IP65
IP55 sits between IP54 and IP65. Compared with IP54, it keeps the same dust-protected first digit but upgrades the water level from splashing (4) to jets (5). Compared with IP65, it has the same jet level but a lower first digit: dust-protected (5) rather than fully dust-tight (6).
Choose IP55 when jet resistance matters but a fully sealed, dust-tight enclosure is not required. Where fine dust must be kept out entirely, step up to IP65.
IP54, IP55 and IP65 compared
| Property | IP54 | IP55 | IP65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solids | 5 - dust-protected | 5 - dust-protected | 6 - dust-tight |
| Water | 4 - splashing | 5 - jets | 5 - jets |
| Immersion | No | No | No |
IP54 vs IP55
Both are dust-protected (first digit 5). The difference is the water level: IP54 resists splashing (4), while IP55 resists low-pressure jets (5), a 6.3 mm nozzle at 12.5 litres per minute.
IP55 is the better choice where equipment may be sprayed or hosed at low pressure, while IP54 suits covered locations that only meet splashes and light rain.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP55 waterproof?
What is the difference between IP55 and IP65?
What is the difference between IP54 and IP55?
Where is IP55 used?
Related
Sources: IEC 60529 (IEC Webstore) · IEC: IP ratings. An overview for design reference - verify against the current edition before relying on it for compliance.