IP42 vs IP50
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP42 and IP50 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 2 vs 0). IP42 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and dripping water at 15° tilt, while IP50 provides dust-protected and no protection.
With IP42, an enclosure receives protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm and protection against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 2.
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)
IP42
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP50
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP42
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP50
0 — No Protection
Dust-tight
IP42
No
IP50
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP42
No
IP50
No
Submersible
IP42
No
IP50
No
Outdoor suitable
IP42
No
IP50
No
The exact difference (IP42 vs IP50)
Solid protection
IP42
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP50
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP42 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IP50 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP50 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP42
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP50
Level 0 — No Protection
IP42 provides "Dripping Water at 15° Tilt" (level 2), while IP50 provides "No Protection" (level 0). IP42 is 2 levels higher.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP42 offers higher overall protection than IP50. Choose IP42 for harsher environments; IP50 may suffice for milder conditions and can be more cost-effective.