IP41 vs IP52
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP41 and IP52 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 1 vs 2). IP41 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and vertically dripping water, while IP52 provides dust-protected and dripping water at 15° tilt.
Under IEC 60529, IP41 specifies protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm and protection against vertically falling drops of water. Dripping water shall have no harmful effects.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 1.
IP52 is an ingress protection code that ensures dust-protected (limited ingress, no harmful deposit) 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 5 with second-digit (liquid) level 2.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP41
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP52
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP41
1 — Vertically Dripping Water
IP52
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
Dust-tight
IP41
No
IP52
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP41
No
IP52
No
Submersible
IP41
No
IP52
No
Outdoor suitable
IP41
No
IP52
No
The exact difference (IP41 vs IP52)
Solid protection
IP41
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP52
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP41 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IP52 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP52 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP41
Level 1 — Vertically Dripping Water
IP52
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP41 handles 0.1 mm/min drip rate (Vertically Dripping Water), while IP52 handles 0.3 mm/min drip rate (Dripping Water at 15° Tilt). IP52 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP52 offers higher overall protection than IP41. Choose IP52 for harsher environments; IP41 may suffice for milder conditions and can be more cost-effective.