IP18
Last updated: Aug 9, 2026The IP18 classification guarantees protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm and protection against the effects of continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 1 with second-digit (liquid) level 8.
Solid 1
> 50 mm — Back of Hand
Liquid 8
Continuous Immersion (manufacturer-specified)
What IP18 means
The IP code IP18 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, 8, indicates the level of protection against the ingress of water. Together, these digits describe exactly what an enclosure rated IP18 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 8 means the enclosure resists continuous immersion (manufacturer-specified). Protection against the effects of continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible. The test procedure is conditions more severe than ipx7 agreed between manufacturer and user; depth and duration specified on the equipment.
IP18 vs IP19K: the higher rating adds high-pressure, high-temp water jets. When specifying IP18 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 (8) |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | > 50 mm — Back of Hand | Continuous Immersion (manufacturer-specified) |
| 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 the effects of continuous immersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer. Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible. |
| Test method | Access probe (50 mm sphere) shall not fully penetrate and shall have adequate clearance from hazardous parts. | Conditions more severe than IPX7 agreed between manufacturer and user; depth and duration specified on the equipment. |
| Object size / water pressure | 50 mm sphere | Specified by manufacturer |
| Test distance | Per standard | Specified depth (often > 1 m) |
| Test duration | Per standard | Continuous (specified by manufacturer) |
Typical applications
Submersible equipment
Rugged portable devices
Outdoor field instruments
Continuous-submersion equipment
NEMA equivalent
Recommended products for IP18
IP18 submersible enclosure
All IP18 comparisons
69 pairsIP18 offers higher overall protection than IP00. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP01. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP02. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP03. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP04. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP05. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP06. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP07. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP08. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP0
IP09K and IP18 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protectio
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP10. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP11. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP13. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP14. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP15. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP17. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP1
IP19K offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP19K for harsher environments; I
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP20. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP21. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP22. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP24. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP25. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP26. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP2
IP18 and IP27 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP28 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP28 for harsher environments; IP1
IP29K offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP29K for harsher environments; I
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP30. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP3
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP31. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP3
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP32. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP3
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP33. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP3
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP34. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP3
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP35. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP3
IP18 and IP36 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP37 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP37 for harsher environments; IP1
IP38 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP38 for harsher environments; IP1
IP39K offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP39K for harsher environments; I
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP40. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP4
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP41. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP4
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP42. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP4
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP43. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP4
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP44. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP4
IP18 and IP45 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP47 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP47 for harsher environments; IP1
IP48 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP48 for harsher environments; IP1
IP49K offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP49K for harsher environments; I
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP50. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP5
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP51. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP5
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP52. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP5
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP53. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP5
IP18 and IP54 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP55 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP55 for harsher environments; IP1
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP1
IP57 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP57 for harsher environments; IP1
IP58 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP58 for harsher environments; IP1
IP59K offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP59K for harsher environments; I
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP60. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP6
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP61. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP6
IP18 offers higher overall protection than IP62. Choose IP18 for harsher environments; IP6
IP18 and IP63 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP64 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP64 for harsher environments; IP1
IP65 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP65 for harsher environments; IP1
IP66 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP66 for harsher environments; IP1
IP67 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP67 for harsher environments; IP1
IP68 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP68 for harsher environments; IP1
IP69K offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP69K for harsher environments; I