IP55 vs IP46
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP55 and IP46 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 5 vs 4) and liquid protection (level 5 vs 6). IP55 is rated for dust-protected and water jets (6.3 mm nozzle), while IP46 provides > 1 mm — small wires and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle).
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.
Specified under IEC 60529, IP46 denotes protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm and protection against powerful water jets. Water projected in powerful jets by a 12.5 mm nozzle against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 6.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP55
5 — Dust-Protected
IP46
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP55
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP46
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP55
Limited
IP46
No
Water-jet resistant
IP55
Yes
IP46
Yes
Submersible
IP55
No
IP46
No
Outdoor suitable
IP55
Yes
IP46
Yes
The exact difference (IP55 vs IP46)
Solid protection
IP55
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP46
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP55 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5), while IP46 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4). IP55 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP55
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP46
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP55 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)), while IP46 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)). IP46 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP55 and IP46 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.