IP16
Last updated: Aug 9, 2026IP16 is an ingress protection code that ensures protection against solid objects larger than 50 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 1 with second-digit (liquid) level 6.
Solid 1
> 50 mm — Back of Hand
Liquid 6
Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
What IP16 means
The IP code IP16 is part of the IEC 60529 standard for ingress protection. The first characteristic numeral, 1, indicates the level of protection against solid objects and access to hazardous parts. The second numeral, 6, indicates the level of protection against the ingress of water. Together, these digits describe exactly what an enclosure rated IP16 can withstand.
For solid protection, the digit 1 means the enclosure is > 50 mm — back of hand. Protected against access to hazardous parts with the back of a hand. Protected against solid foreign objects of 50 mm diameter and greater. The test method is access probe (50 mm sphere) shall not fully penetrate and shall have adequate clearance from hazardous parts.
For liquid protection, the digit 6 means the enclosure resists powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle). 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. The test procedure is standard nozzle (12.5 mm diameter) at 100 kpa, 100 l/min; water aimed at enclosure from all practicable directions.
IP16 vs IP17: the higher rating adds temporary immersion. When specifying IP16 for a project, confirm the rating certificate from the manufacturer and consider that seals degrade over time with temperature cycling, UV exposure, and chemical contact.
Full specification table
| Parameter | Solid digit (1) | Liquid digit (6) |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | > 50 mm — Back of Hand | Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle) |
| Description | Protected against access to hazardous parts with the back of a hand. Protected against solid foreign objects of 50 mm diameter and greater. | 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. |
| Test method | Access probe (50 mm sphere) shall not fully penetrate and shall have adequate clearance from hazardous parts. | Standard nozzle (12.5 mm diameter) at 100 kPa, 100 L/min; water aimed at enclosure from all practicable directions. |
| Object size / water pressure | 50 mm sphere | 100 kPa |
| Test distance | Per standard | 3 meters |
| Test duration | Per standard | 1 minute per m², min 3 minutes |
Typical applications
Outdoor equipment
Weather-exposed enclosures
Heavy-rain equipment
Marine deck fixtures
NEMA equivalent
Recommended products for IP16
IP16 outdoor enclosure
All IP16 comparisons
69 pairsIP16 offers higher overall protection than IP00. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP0
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP01. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP0
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP02. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP0
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP03. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP0
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP04. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP0
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP05. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP0
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP06. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP0
IP07 and IP16 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP08 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP08 for harsher environments; IP1
IP09K offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP09K for harsher environments; I
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP10. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP1
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP11. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP1
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP1
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP13. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP1
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP14. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP1
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP15. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP1
IP17 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP17 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP19K offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP19K for harsher environments; I
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP20. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP2
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP21. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP2
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP22. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP2
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP2
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP24. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP2
IP16 and IP25 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP26 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP26 for harsher environments; IP1
IP27 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP27 for harsher environments; IP1
IP28 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP28 for harsher environments; IP1
IP29K offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP29K for harsher environments; I
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP30. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP3
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP31. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP3
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP32. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP3
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP33. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP3
IP16 and IP34 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP35 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP35 for harsher environments; IP1
IP36 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP36 for harsher environments; IP1
IP37 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP37 for harsher environments; IP1
IP38 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP38 for harsher environments; IP1
IP39K offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP39K for harsher environments; I
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP40. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP4
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP41. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP4
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP42. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP4
IP16 and IP43 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP44 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP44 for harsher environments; IP1
IP45 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP45 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP47 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP47 for harsher environments; IP1
IP48 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP48 for harsher environments; IP1
IP49K offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP49K for harsher environments; I
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP50. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP5
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP51. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP5
IP16 and IP52 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP53 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP53 for harsher environments; IP1
IP54 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP54 for harsher environments; IP1
IP55 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP55 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP57 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP57 for harsher environments; IP1
IP58 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP58 for harsher environments; IP1
IP59K offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP59K for harsher environments; I
IP16 offers higher overall protection than IP60. Choose IP16 for harsher environments; IP6
IP16 and IP61 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP62 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP62 for harsher environments; IP1
IP63 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP63 for harsher environments; IP1
IP64 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP64 for harsher environments; IP1
IP65 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP65 for harsher environments; IP1
IP66 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP66 for harsher environments; IP1
IP67 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP67 for harsher environments; IP1
IP68 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP68 for harsher environments; IP1
IP69K offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP69K for harsher environments; I