IP23 vs IP50
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP23 and IP50 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 2 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 3 vs 0). IP23 is rated for > 12.5 mm — finger and spraying water (up to 60°), while IP50 provides dust-protected and no protection.
Under IEC 60529, IP23 specifies protection against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm and protection against spraying water. Water sprayed at an angle up to 60° on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 2 with second-digit (liquid) level 3.
Under IEC 60529, IP50 specifies dust-protected (limited ingress, no harmful deposit) and no protection against water. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 5 with second-digit (liquid) level 0.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP23
2 — > 12.5 mm — Finger
IP50
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP23
3 — Spraying Water (up to 60°)
IP50
0 — No Protection
Dust-tight
IP23
No
IP50
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP23
No
IP50
No
Submersible
IP23
No
IP50
No
Outdoor suitable
IP23
No
IP50
No
The exact difference (IP23 vs IP50)
Solid protection
IP23
Level 2 — > 12.5 mm — Finger
IP50
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP23 provides "> 12.5 mm — Finger" (level 2), while IP50 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP50 is 3 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP23
Level 3 — Spraying Water (up to 60°)
IP50
Level 0 — No Protection
IP23 provides "Spraying Water (up to 60°)" (level 3), while IP50 provides "No Protection" (level 0). IP23 is 3 levels higher.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP23 and IP50 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.