IP55 vs IP19K
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP55 and IP19K are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 5 vs 1) and liquid protection (level 5 vs 9K). IP55 is rated for dust-protected and water jets (6.3 mm nozzle), while IP19K provides > 50 mm — back of hand and high-pressure, high-temp water jets.
IP55 is dust-protected and resists low-pressure water jets (6.3 mm nozzle, 30 kPa). A popular industrial rating for equipment exposed to dust and directed water spray but not immersion.
Under IEC 60529, IP19K specifies protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm and resistance to high-pressure (8–10 MPa), high-temperature (80 °C) water jets. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 1 with second-digit (liquid) level 9K.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP55
5 — Dust-Protected
IP19K
1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP55
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP19K
9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
Dust-tight
IP55
Limited
IP19K
No
Water-jet resistant
IP55
Yes
IP19K
Yes
Submersible
IP55
No
IP19K
Yes
Outdoor suitable
IP55
Yes
IP19K
Yes
The exact difference (IP55 vs IP19K)
Solid protection
IP55
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP19K
Level 1 — > 50 mm — Back of Hand
IP55 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5), while IP19K provides "> 50 mm — Back of Hand" (level 1). IP55 is 4 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP55
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP19K
Level 9 — High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets
IP55 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)), while IP19K handles 8–10 MPa (High-Pressure, High-Temp Water Jets). IP19K provides 4 levels more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP55 and IP19K offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.