IP41 vs IPX5
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP41 and IPX5 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 0) and liquid protection (level 1 vs 5). IP41 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and vertically dripping water, while IPX5 provides no protection and water jets (6.3 mm nozzle).
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.
IPX5 resists low-pressure water jets (6.3 mm nozzle, 30 kPa) with solid protection not specified. Used where water-jet resistance matters more than dust sealing.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP41
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IPX5
0 — No Protection
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP41
1 — Vertically Dripping Water
IPX5
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP41
No
IPX5
No
Water-jet resistant
IP41
No
IPX5
Yes
Submersible
IP41
No
IPX5
No
Outdoor suitable
IP41
No
IPX5
Yes
The exact difference (IP41 vs IPX5)
Solid protection
IP41
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IPX5
Level 0 — No Protection
IP41 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IPX5 provides "No Protection" (level 0). IP41 is 4 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP41
Level 1 — Vertically Dripping Water
IPX5
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP41 handles 0.1 mm/min drip rate (Vertically Dripping Water), while IPX5 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)). IPX5 provides 4 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP41 and IPX5 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.