IP23
Last updated: Aug 9, 2026Under IEC 60529, IP23 specifies protection against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm and protection against spraying water. Water sprayed at an angle up to 60° on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 2 with second-digit (liquid) level 3.
Solid 2
> 12.5 mm — Finger
Liquid 3
Spraying Water (up to 60°)
What IP23 means
The IP code IP23 is part of the IEC 60529 standard for ingress protection. The first characteristic numeral, 2, indicates the level of protection against solid objects and access to hazardous parts. The second numeral, 3, indicates the level of protection against the ingress of water. Together, these digits describe exactly what an enclosure rated IP23 can withstand.
For solid protection, the digit 2 means the enclosure is > 12.5 mm — finger. Protected against access to hazardous parts with a finger. Protected against solid foreign objects of 12.5 mm diameter and greater. The test method is jointed test finger (12 mm diameter, 80 mm length) shall not penetrate with adequate clearance.
For liquid protection, the digit 3 means the enclosure resists spraying water (up to 60°). Protection against spraying water. Water sprayed at an angle up to 60° on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects. The test procedure is oscillating tube or spray nozzle with 80° aperture; water pressure 50–150 kpa depending on device; 5 minutes minimum.
IP23 vs IP24: the higher rating adds splashing water. IP23 vs IP65: IP65 is dust-tight and water-jet resistant — a major upgrade for outdoor use. When specifying IP23 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 (2) | Liquid digit (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | > 12.5 mm — Finger | Spraying Water (up to 60°) |
| Description | Protected against access to hazardous parts with a finger. Protected against solid foreign objects of 12.5 mm diameter and greater. | Protection against spraying water. Water sprayed at an angle up to 60° on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects. |
| Test method | Jointed test finger (12 mm diameter, 80 mm length) shall not penetrate with adequate clearance. | Oscillating tube or spray nozzle with 80° aperture; water pressure 50–150 kPa depending on device; 5 minutes minimum. |
| Object size / water pressure | 12.5 mm sphere / jointed finger | 80 kPa (tube) / 50 kPa (nozzle) |
| Test distance | Per standard | 200 mm (tube) / 200–500 mm (nozzle) |
| Test duration | Per standard | 10 minutes |
Typical applications
Sheltered outdoor fixtures
Covered industrial equipment
NEMA equivalent
Recommended products for IP23
IP23 indoor enclosure
All IP23 comparisons
69 pairsIP23 offers higher overall protection than IP00. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP0
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP01. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP0
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP02. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP0
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP03. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP0
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP04. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP0
IP05 and IP23 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP06 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP06 for harsher environments; IP2
IP07 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP07 for harsher environments; IP2
IP08 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP08 for harsher environments; IP2
IP09K offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP09K for harsher environments; I
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP10. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP1
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP11. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP1
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP1
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP13. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP1
IP14 and IP23 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP15 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP15 for harsher environments; IP2
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP2
IP17 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP17 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP19K offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP19K for harsher environments; I
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP20. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP2
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP21. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP2
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP22. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP2
IP24 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP24 for harsher environments; IP2
IP25 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP25 for harsher environments; IP2
IP26 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP26 for harsher environments; IP2
IP27 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP27 for harsher environments; IP2
IP28 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP28 for harsher environments; IP2
IP29K offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP29K for harsher environments; I
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP30. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP3
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP31. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP3
IP23 and IP32 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP33 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP33 for harsher environments; IP2
IP34 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP34 for harsher environments; IP2
IP35 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP35 for harsher environments; IP2
IP36 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP36 for harsher environments; IP2
IP37 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP37 for harsher environments; IP2
IP38 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP38 for harsher environments; IP2
IP39K offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP39K for harsher environments; I
IP23 offers higher overall protection than IP40. Choose IP23 for harsher environments; IP4
IP23 and IP41 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP42 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP42 for harsher environments; IP2
IP43 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP43 for harsher environments; IP2
IP44 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP44 for harsher environments; IP2
IP45 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP45 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP47 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP47 for harsher environments; IP2
IP48 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP48 for harsher environments; IP2
IP49K offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP49K for harsher environments; I
IP23 and IP50 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP51 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP51 for harsher environments; IP2
IP52 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP52 for harsher environments; IP2
IP53 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP53 for harsher environments; IP2
IP54 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP54 for harsher environments; IP2
IP55 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP55 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP57 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP57 for harsher environments; IP2
IP58 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP58 for harsher environments; IP2
IP59K offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP59K for harsher environments; I
IP60 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP60 for harsher environments; IP2
IP61 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP61 for harsher environments; IP2
IP62 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP62 for harsher environments; IP2
IP63 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP63 for harsher environments; IP2
IP64 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP64 for harsher environments; IP2
IP65 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP65 for harsher environments; IP2
IP66 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP66 for harsher environments; IP2
IP67 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP67 for harsher environments; IP2
IP68 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP68 for harsher environments; IP2
IP69K offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP69K for harsher environments; I