IP43 vs IP52
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP43 and IP52 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 4 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 3 vs 2). IP43 is rated for > 1 mm — small wires and spraying water (up to 60°), while IP52 provides dust-protected and dripping water at 15° tilt.
IP43 protects against 1 mm solid objects and spraying water up to 60° from vertical. A practical rating for sheltered equipment subject to light angled spray, such as covered outdoor fixtures.
IP52 is an ingress protection code that ensures dust-protected (limited ingress, no harmful deposit) 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 5 with second-digit (liquid) level 2.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP43
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP52
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP43
3 — Spraying Water (up to 60°)
IP52
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
Dust-tight
IP43
No
IP52
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP43
No
IP52
No
Submersible
IP43
No
IP52
No
Outdoor suitable
IP43
No
IP52
No
The exact difference (IP43 vs IP52)
Solid protection
IP43
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP52
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP43 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4), while IP52 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP52 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP43
Level 3 — Spraying Water (up to 60°)
IP52
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP43 handles 80 kPa (tube) / 50 kPa (nozzle) (Spraying Water (up to 60°)), while IP52 handles 0.3 mm/min drip rate (Dripping Water at 15° Tilt). IP43 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP43 and IP52 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.