IP42 vs IPX6
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP42 and IPX6 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 0) and liquid protection (level 2 vs 6). IP42 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and dripping water at 15° tilt, while IPX6 provides no protection and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle).
With IP42, an enclosure receives protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm 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 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 2.
IPX6 resists powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle, 100 kPa) with solid protection not specified. Suitable for heavy-rain or hose-exposed equipment where dust sealing is not required.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP42
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IPX6
0 — No Protection
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP42
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IPX6
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP42
No
IPX6
No
Water-jet resistant
IP42
No
IPX6
Yes
Submersible
IP42
No
IPX6
No
Outdoor suitable
IP42
No
IPX6
Yes
The exact difference (IP42 vs IPX6)
Solid protection
IP42
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IPX6
Level 0 — No Protection
IP42 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IPX6 provides "No Protection" (level 0). IP42 is 4 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP42
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IPX6
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP42 handles 0.3 mm/min drip rate (Dripping Water at 15° Tilt), while IPX6 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)). IPX6 provides 4 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP42 and IPX6 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.