IP14 vs IP50
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP14 and IP50 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 1 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 4 vs 0). IP14 is rated for > 50 mm — back of hand and splashing water (all directions), while IP50 provides dust-protected and no protection.
Under IEC 60529, IP14 specifies protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm and protection against splashing water. Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 1 with second-digit (liquid) level 4.
Under IEC 60529, IP50 specifies dust-protected (limited ingress, no harmful deposit) and no protection against water. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 5 with second-digit (liquid) level 0.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP14
1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP50
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP14
4 — Splashing Water (all directions)
IP50
0 — No Protection
Dust-tight
IP14
No
IP50
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP14
No
IP50
No
Submersible
IP14
No
IP50
No
Outdoor suitable
IP14
Yes
IP50
No
The exact difference (IP14 vs IP50)
Solid protection
IP14
Level 1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP50
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP14 provides "> 50 mm — Back of Hand" (level 1), while IP50 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP50 is 4 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP14
Level 4 — Splashing Water (all directions)
IP50
Level 0 — No Protection
IP14 provides "Splashing Water (all directions)" (level 4), while IP50 provides "No Protection" (level 0). IP14 is 4 levels higher.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP14 and IP50 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.