IP15 vs IP42
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP15 and IP42 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 1 vs 4) and liquid protection (level 5 vs 2). IP15 is rated for > 50 mm — back of hand and water jets (6.3 mm nozzle), while IP42 provides > 1 mm — small wires and dripping water at 15° tilt.
With IP15, an enclosure receives protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm and protection against water jets. Water projected by a 6.3 mm nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 1 with second-digit (liquid) level 5.
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)
IP15
1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP42
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP15
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP42
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
Dust-tight
IP15
No
IP42
No
Water-jet resistant
IP15
Yes
IP42
No
Submersible
IP15
No
IP42
No
Outdoor suitable
IP15
Yes
IP42
No
The exact difference (IP15 vs IP42)
Solid protection
IP15
Level 1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP42
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP15 provides "> 50 mm — Back of Hand" (level 1), while IP42 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4). IP42 is 3 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP15
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP42
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP15 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)), while IP42 handles 0.3 mm/min drip rate (Dripping Water at 15° Tilt). IP15 provides 3 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP15 and IP42 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.