IP12
Last updated: Aug 9, 2026Designed for environments requiring protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm and protection against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position., IP12 is an IEC 60529 code combining solid level 1 with liquid level 2.
Solid 1
> 50 mm — Back of Hand
Liquid 2
Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
What IP12 means
The IP code IP12 is part of the IEC 60529 standard for ingress protection. The first characteristic numeral, 1, indicates the level of protection against solid objects and access to hazardous parts. The second numeral, 2, indicates the level of protection against the ingress of water. Together, these digits describe exactly what an enclosure rated IP12 can withstand.
For solid protection, the digit 1 means the enclosure is > 50 mm — back of hand. Protected against access to hazardous parts with the back of a hand. Protected against solid foreign objects of 50 mm diameter and greater. The test method is access probe (50 mm sphere) shall not fully penetrate and shall have adequate clearance from hazardous parts.
For liquid protection, the digit 2 means the enclosure resists dripping water at 15° tilt. Protection against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position. The test procedure is drip box producing 3 mm/min rainfall; enclosure tilted at 15° in four directions for 2.5 minutes each (10 minutes total).
IP12 vs IP13: the higher rating adds spraying water. IP12 vs IP65: IP65 is dust-tight and water-jet resistant — a major upgrade for outdoor use. When specifying IP12 for a project, confirm the rating certificate from the manufacturer and consider that seals degrade over time with temperature cycling, UV exposure, and chemical contact.
Full specification table
| Parameter | Solid digit (1) | Liquid digit (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | > 50 mm — Back of Hand | Dripping Water at 15° Tilt |
| Description | Protected against access to hazardous parts with the back of a hand. Protected against solid foreign objects of 50 mm diameter and greater. | Protection against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position. |
| Test method | Access probe (50 mm sphere) shall not fully penetrate and shall have adequate clearance from hazardous parts. | Drip box producing 3 mm/min rainfall; enclosure tilted at 15° in four directions for 2.5 minutes each (10 minutes total). |
| Object size / water pressure | 50 mm sphere | 0.3 mm/min drip rate |
| Test distance | Per standard | 200 mm above |
| Test duration | Per standard | 10 minutes (2.5 min × 4 positions) |
Typical applications
Sheltered outdoor fixtures
Covered industrial equipment
NEMA equivalent
Recommended products for IP12
IP12 indoor enclosure
All IP12 comparisons
69 pairsIP12 offers higher overall protection than IP00. Choose IP12 for harsher environments; IP0
IP12 offers higher overall protection than IP01. Choose IP12 for harsher environments; IP0
IP12 offers higher overall protection than IP02. Choose IP12 for harsher environments; IP0
IP03 and IP12 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP04 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP04 for harsher environments; IP1
IP05 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP05 for harsher environments; IP1
IP06 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP06 for harsher environments; IP1
IP07 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP07 for harsher environments; IP1
IP08 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP08 for harsher environments; IP1
IP09K offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP09K for harsher environments; I
IP12 offers higher overall protection than IP10. Choose IP12 for harsher environments; IP1
IP12 offers higher overall protection than IP11. Choose IP12 for harsher environments; IP1
IP13 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP13 for harsher environments; IP1
IP14 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP14 for harsher environments; IP1
IP15 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP15 for harsher environments; IP1
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP1
IP17 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP17 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP19K offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP19K for harsher environments; I
IP12 offers higher overall protection than IP20. Choose IP12 for harsher environments; IP2
IP12 and IP21 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP22 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP22 for harsher environments; IP1
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP1
IP24 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP24 for harsher environments; IP1
IP25 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP25 for harsher environments; IP1
IP26 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP26 for harsher environments; IP1
IP27 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP27 for harsher environments; IP1
IP28 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP28 for harsher environments; IP1
IP29K offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP29K for harsher environments; I
IP12 and IP30 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP31 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP31 for harsher environments; IP1
IP32 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP32 for harsher environments; IP1
IP33 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP33 for harsher environments; IP1
IP34 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP34 for harsher environments; IP1
IP35 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP35 for harsher environments; IP1
IP36 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP36 for harsher environments; IP1
IP37 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP37 for harsher environments; IP1
IP38 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP38 for harsher environments; IP1
IP39K offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP39K for harsher environments; I
IP40 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP40 for harsher environments; IP1
IP41 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP41 for harsher environments; IP1
IP42 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP42 for harsher environments; IP1
IP43 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP43 for harsher environments; IP1
IP44 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP44 for harsher environments; IP1
IP45 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP45 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP47 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP47 for harsher environments; IP1
IP48 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP48 for harsher environments; IP1
IP49K offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP49K for harsher environments; I
IP50 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP50 for harsher environments; IP1
IP51 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP51 for harsher environments; IP1
IP52 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP52 for harsher environments; IP1
IP53 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP53 for harsher environments; IP1
IP54 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP54 for harsher environments; IP1
IP55 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP55 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP57 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP57 for harsher environments; IP1
IP58 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP58 for harsher environments; IP1
IP59K offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP59K for harsher environments; I
IP60 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP60 for harsher environments; IP1
IP61 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP61 for harsher environments; IP1
IP62 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP62 for harsher environments; IP1
IP63 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP63 for harsher environments; IP1
IP64 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP64 for harsher environments; IP1
IP65 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP65 for harsher environments; IP1
IP66 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP66 for harsher environments; IP1
IP67 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP67 for harsher environments; IP1
IP68 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP68 for harsher environments; IP1
IP69K offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP69K for harsher environments; I