IP46 vs IP64
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP46 and IP64 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 6) and liquid protection (level 6 vs 4). IP46 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle), while IP64 provides dust-tight and splashing water (all directions).
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.
IP64 is dust-tight and resists splashing water from any direction. A solid outdoor-covered rating combining complete dust exclusion with splash tolerance, sitting between IP65 (jets) and IP54 (dust-protected).
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP46
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP64
6 — Dust-Tight
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP46
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP64
4 — Splashing Water (all directions)
Dust-tight
IP46
No
IP64
Yes
Water-jet resistant
IP46
Yes
IP64
No
Submersible
IP46
No
IP64
No
Outdoor suitable
IP46
Yes
IP64
Yes
The exact difference (IP46 vs IP64)
Solid protection
IP46
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP64
Level 6 — Dust-Tight
IP46 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IP64 provides "Dust-Tight" (level 6). IP64 is 2 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP46
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP64
Level 4 — Splashing Water (all directions)
IP46 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)), while IP64 handles 50–100 kPa (Splashing Water (all directions)). IP46 provides 2 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP46 and IP64 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.