IP42 vs IP60
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP42 and IP60 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 6) and liquid protection (level 2 vs 0). IP42 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and dripping water at 15° tilt, while IP60 provides dust-tight 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.
IP60 is dust-tight with no water protection. Used for indoor equipment in very dusty environments that stays completely dry — dust exclusion without any moisture tolerance.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP42
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP60
6 — Dust-Tight
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP42
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP60
0 — No Protection
Dust-tight
IP42
No
IP60
Yes
Water-jet resistant
IP42
No
IP60
No
Submersible
IP42
No
IP60
No
Outdoor suitable
IP42
No
IP60
No
The exact difference (IP42 vs IP60)
Solid protection
IP42
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP60
Level 6 — Dust-Tight
IP42 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IP60 provides "Dust-Tight" (level 6). IP60 is 2 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP42
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP60
Level 0 — No Protection
IP42 provides "Dripping Water at 15° Tilt" (level 2), while IP60 provides "No Protection" (level 0). IP42 is 2 levels higher.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP42 and IP60 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.