IP46 vs IP55
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP46 and IP55 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 6 vs 5). IP46 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle), while IP55 provides dust-protected and water jets (6.3 mm nozzle).
Specified under IEC 60529, IP46 denotes protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm and protection against powerful water jets. Water projected in powerful jets by a 12.5 mm nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 6.
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)
IP46
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP55
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP46
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP55
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP46
No
IP55
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP46
Yes
IP55
Yes
Submersible
IP46
No
IP55
No
Outdoor suitable
IP46
Yes
IP55
Yes
The exact difference (IP46 vs IP55)
Solid protection
IP46
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP55
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP46 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IP55 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP55 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP46
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP55
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP46 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)), while IP55 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)). IP46 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP46 and IP55 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.