IP11 vs IP42
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP11 and IP42 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 1 vs 4) and liquid protection (level 1 vs 2). IP11 is rated for > 50 mm — back of hand and vertically dripping water, while IP42 provides > 1 mm — small wires and dripping water at 15° tilt.
Engineered to deliver protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm and protection against vertically falling drops of water. Dripping water shall have no harmful effects.. Classified as IEC 60529 ingress protection code IP11, it pairs solid level 1 with liquid level 1.
With IP42, an enclosure receives protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm and protection against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 2.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP11
1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP42
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP11
1 — Vertically Dripping Water
IP42
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
Dust-tight
IP11
No
IP42
No
Water-jet resistant
IP11
No
IP42
No
Submersible
IP11
No
IP42
No
Outdoor suitable
IP11
No
IP42
No
The exact difference (IP11 vs IP42)
Solid protection
IP11
Level 1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP42
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP11 provides "> 50 mm — Back of Hand" (level 1), while IP42 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4). IP42 is 3 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP11
Level 1 — Vertically Dripping Water
IP42
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP11 handles 0.1 mm/min drip rate (Vertically Dripping Water), while IP42 handles 0.3 mm/min drip rate (Dripping Water at 15° Tilt). IP42 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP42 offers higher overall protection than IP11. Choose IP42 for harsher environments; IP11 may suffice for milder conditions and can be more cost-effective.