IP57 vs IP66
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP57 and IP66 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 5 vs 6) and liquid protection (level 7 vs 6). IP57 is rated for dust-protected and temporary immersion (up to 1 m), while IP66 provides dust-tight and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle).
IP57 is dust-protected and tolerates temporary immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes. Useful for portable devices that may be dropped in shallow water.
IP66 is dust-tight and resists powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle, 100 kPa). A robust outdoor rating for equipment exposed to heavy rain, storms, or directed high-pressure hosing (but not high-pressure washdown).
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP57
5 — Dust-Protected
IP66
6 — Dust-Tight
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP57
7 — Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)
IP66
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP57
Limited
IP66
Yes
Water-jet resistant
IP57
Yes
IP66
Yes
Submersible
IP57
Yes
IP66
No
Outdoor suitable
IP57
Yes
IP66
Yes
The exact difference (IP57 vs IP66)
Solid protection
IP57
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP66
Level 6 — Dust-Tight
IP57 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5), while IP66 provides "Dust-Tight" (level 6). IP66 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP57
Level 7 — Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)
IP66
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP57 handles Hydrostatic ~10 kPa at 1 m (Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)), while IP66 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)). IP57 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP57 and IP66 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.