IP56 vs IP47
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP56 and IP47 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 5 vs 4) and liquid protection (level 6 vs 7). IP56 is rated for dust-protected and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle), while IP47 provides > 1 mm — small wires and temporary immersion (up to 1 m).
IP56 is dust-protected and resists powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle, 100 kPa). Suited to outdoor equipment subjected to heavy rain or hose-directed water.
IP47 provides protection against solid objects larger than 1.0 mm and protection against the effects of temporary immersion in water. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 4 with second-digit (liquid) level 7.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP56
5 — Dust-Protected
IP47
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP56
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP47
7 — Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)
Dust-tight
IP56
Limited
IP47
No
Water-jet resistant
IP56
Yes
IP47
Yes
Submersible
IP56
No
IP47
Yes
Outdoor suitable
IP56
Yes
IP47
Yes
The exact difference (IP56 vs IP47)
Solid protection
IP56
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP47
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP56 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5), while IP47 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4). IP56 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP56
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP47
Level 7 — Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)
IP56 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)), while IP47 handles Hydrostatic ~10 kPa at 1 m (Temporary Immersion (up to 1 m)). IP47 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP56 and IP47 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.