IP19K vs IP37
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP19K and IP37 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 1 vs 3) and liquid protection (level 9K vs 7). IP19K is rated for > 50 mm — back of hand and high-pressure, high-temp water jets, while IP37 provides > 2.5 mm — tool / wire and temporary immersion (up to 1 m).
Under IEC 60529, IP19K specifies protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm and resistance to high-pressure (8–10 MPa), high-temperature (80 °C) water jets. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 1 with second-digit (liquid) level 9K.
Specified under IEC 60529, IP37 denotes protection against solid objects larger than 2.5 mm and protection against the effects of temporary immersion in water. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 3 with second-digit (liquid) level 7.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP19K
1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP37
3 — > 2.5 mm — Tool / Wire
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP19K
9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
IP37
7 — Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)
Dust-tight
IP19K
No
IP37
No
Water-jet resistant
IP19K
Yes
IP37
Yes
Submersible
IP19K
Yes
IP37
Yes
Outdoor suitable
IP19K
Yes
IP37
Yes
The exact difference (IP19K vs IP37)
Solid protection
IP19K
Level 1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP37
Level 3 — > 2.5 mm — Tool / Wire
IP19K provides "> 50 mm — Back of Hand" (level 1), while IP37 provides "> 2.5 mm — Tool / Wire" (level 3). IP37 is 2 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP19K
Level 9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
IP37
Level 7 — Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)
IP19K handles 8–10 MPa (High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets), while IP37 handles Hydrostatic ~10 kPa at 1 m (Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)). IP19K provides 2 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP19K and IP37 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.