IP60 vs IP42
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP60 and IP42 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 6 vs 4) and liquid protection (level 0 vs 2). IP60 is rated for dust-tight and no protection, while IP42 provides > 1 mm — small wires and dripping water at 15° tilt.
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.
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.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP60
6 — Dust-Tight
IP42
4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP60
0 — No Protection
IP42
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
Dust-tight
IP60
Yes
IP42
No
Water-jet resistant
IP60
No
IP42
No
Submersible
IP60
No
IP42
No
Outdoor suitable
IP60
No
IP42
No
The exact difference (IP60 vs IP42)
Solid protection
IP60
Level 6 — Dust-Tight
IP42
Level 4 — > 1 mm — Small Wires
IP60 provides "Dust-Tight" (level 6), while IP42 provides "> 1 mm — Small Wires" (level 4). IP60 is 2 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP60
Level 0 — No Protection
IP42
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP60 provides "No Protection" (level 0), while IP42 provides "Dripping Water at 15° Tilt" (level 2). IP42 is 2 levels higher.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP60 and IP42 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.