IP19K vs IP46
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP19K and IP46 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 1 vs 4) and liquid protection (level 9K vs 6). IP19K is rated for > 50 mm — back of hand and high-pressure, high-temp water jets, while IP46 provides > 1 mm — small wires and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle).
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, IP46 denotes protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm and protection against powerful water jets. Water projected in powerful jets by a 12.5 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 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 6.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP19K
1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP46
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP19K
9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
IP46
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP19K
No
IP46
No
Water-jet resistant
IP19K
Yes
IP46
Yes
Submersible
IP19K
Yes
IP46
No
Outdoor suitable
IP19K
Yes
IP46
Yes
The exact difference (IP19K vs IP46)
Solid protection
IP19K
Level 1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP46
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP19K provides "> 50 mm — Back of Hand" (level 1), while IP46 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4). IP46 is 3 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP19K
Level 9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
IP46
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP19K handles 8–10 MPa (High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets), while IP46 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)). IP19K provides 3 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP19K and IP46 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.