IP56
Last updated: Aug 9, 2026IP56 is dust-protected and resists powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle, 100 kPa). Suited to outdoor equipment subjected to heavy rain or hose-directed water.
Solid 5
Dust-Protected
Liquid 6
Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
What IP56 means
The IP code IP56 is part of the IEC 60529 standard for ingress protection. The first characteristic numeral, 5, indicates the level of protection against solid objects and access to hazardous parts. The second numeral, 6, indicates the level of protection against the ingress of water. Together, these digits describe exactly what an enclosure rated IP56 can withstand.
For solid protection, the digit 5 means the enclosure is dust-protected. Protected against access to hazardous parts with a wire. Dust ingress is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in a quantity sufficient to interfere with satisfactory operation of the equipment or impair safety. The test method is dust chamber (talcum powder) for 8 hours with enclosure under reduced internal pressure; dust ingress acceptable only if it does not impair operation or safety.
For liquid protection, the digit 6 means the enclosure resists powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle). 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. The test procedure is standard nozzle (12.5 mm diameter) at 100 kpa, 100 l/min; water aimed at enclosure from all practicable directions.
IP56 vs IP66: IP66 combines dust-tight with powerful-jet protection, the stronger all-round outdoor rating. When specifying IP56 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 (5) | Liquid digit (6) |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | Dust-Protected | Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle) |
| Description | Protected against access to hazardous parts with a wire. Dust ingress is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in a quantity sufficient to interfere with satisfactory operation of the equipment or impair safety. | 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. |
| Test method | Dust chamber (talcum powder) for 8 hours with enclosure under reduced internal pressure; dust ingress acceptable only if it does not impair operation or safety. | Standard nozzle (12.5 mm diameter) at 100 kPa, 100 L/min; water aimed at enclosure from all practicable directions. |
| Object size / water pressure | Limited dust ingress | 100 kPa |
| Test distance | Per standard | 3 meters |
| Test duration | Per standard | 1 minute per m², min 3 minutes |
Typical applications
Outdoor industrial equipment
Marine deck electronics
Construction site panels
Harbor crane controls
NEMA equivalent
Recommended products for IP56
IP56 marine deck enclosure
All IP56 comparisons
69 pairsIP56 offers higher overall protection than IP00. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP01. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP02. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP03. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP04. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP05. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP06. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP07. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP08. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP0
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP09K. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP10. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP11. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP13. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP14. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP15. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP17. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP19K. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP20. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP21. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP22. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP24. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP25. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP26. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP27. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP28. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP2
IP29K and IP56 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protectio
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP30. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP31. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP32. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP33. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP34. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP35. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP36. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP37. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP3
IP38 and IP56 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP39K offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP39K for harsher environments; I
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP40. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP41. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP42. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP43. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP44. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP45. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP47 and IP56 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP48 offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP48 for harsher environments; IP5
IP49K offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP49K for harsher environments; I
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP50. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP5
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP51. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP5
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP52. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP5
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP53. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP5
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP54. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP5
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP55. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP5
IP57 offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP57 for harsher environments; IP5
IP58 offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP58 for harsher environments; IP5
IP59K offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP59K for harsher environments; I
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP60. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP6
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP61. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP6
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP62. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP6
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP63. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP6
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP64. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP6
IP56 and IP65 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP66 offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP66 for harsher environments; IP5
IP67 offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP67 for harsher environments; IP5
IP68 offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP68 for harsher environments; IP5
IP69K offers higher overall protection than IP56. Choose IP69K for harsher environments; I