IP19K vs IP55
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP19K and IP55 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 1 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 9K vs 5). IP19K is rated for > 50 mm — back of hand and high-pressure, high-temp water jets, while IP55 provides dust-protected and water jets (6.3 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.
IP55 is dust-protected and resists low-pressure water jets (6.3 mm nozzle, 30 kPa). A popular industrial rating for equipment exposed to dust and directed water spray but not immersion.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP19K
1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP55
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP19K
9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
IP55
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP19K
No
IP55
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP19K
Yes
IP55
Yes
Submersible
IP19K
Yes
IP55
No
Outdoor suitable
IP19K
Yes
IP55
Yes
The exact difference (IP19K vs IP55)
Solid protection
IP19K
Level 1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP55
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP19K provides "> 50 mm — Back of Hand" (level 1), while IP55 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP55 is 4 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP19K
Level 9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
IP55
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP19K handles 8–10 MPa (High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets), while IP55 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)). IP19K provides 4 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP19K and IP55 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.