IP46
Last updated: Aug 9, 2026Specified 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.
Solid 4
> 1 mm — Small Wires
Liquid 6
Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
What IP46 means
The IP code IP46 is part of the IEC 60529 standard for ingress protection. The first characteristic numeral, 4, 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 IP46 can withstand.
For solid protection, the digit 4 means the enclosure is > 1 mm — small wires. Protected against access to hazardous parts with a wire. Protected against solid foreign objects of 1 mm diameter and greater. The test method is access probe (1.0 mm rigid test wire) shall not penetrate with adequate clearance.
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.
IP46 vs IP47: the higher rating adds temporary immersion. When specifying IP46 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 (4) | Liquid digit (6) |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | > 1 mm — Small Wires | Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle) |
| Description | Protected against access to hazardous parts with a wire. Protected against solid foreign objects of 1 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 (1.0 mm rigid test wire) shall not penetrate with adequate clearance. | Standard nozzle (12.5 mm diameter) at 100 kPa, 100 L/min; water aimed at enclosure from all practicable directions. |
| Object size / water pressure | 1.0 mm wire | 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 IP46
IP46 outdoor enclosure
All IP46 comparisons
69 pairsIP46 offers higher overall protection than IP00. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP01. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP02. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP03. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP04. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP05. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP06. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP07. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP08. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP0
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP09K. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP10. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP11. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP12. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP13. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP14. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP15. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP16. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP17. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP18. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP1
IP19K and IP46 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protectio
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP20. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP21. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP22. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP23. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP24. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP25. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP26. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP27. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP2
IP28 and IP46 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP29K offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP29K for harsher environments; I
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP30. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP3
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP31. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP3
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP32. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP3
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP33. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP3
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP34. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP3
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP35. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP3
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP36. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP3
IP37 and IP46 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP38 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP38 for harsher environments; IP4
IP39K offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP39K for harsher environments; I
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP40. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP4
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP41. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP4
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP42. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP4
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP43. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP4
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP44. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP4
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP45. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP4
IP47 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP47 for harsher environments; IP4
IP48 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP48 for harsher environments; IP4
IP49K offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP49K for harsher environments; I
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP50. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP5
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP51. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP5
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP52. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP5
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP53. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP5
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP54. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP5
IP46 and IP55 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP56 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP56 for harsher environments; IP4
IP57 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP57 for harsher environments; IP4
IP58 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP58 for harsher environments; IP4
IP59K offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP59K for harsher environments; I
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP60. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP6
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP61. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP6
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP62. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP6
IP46 offers higher overall protection than IP63. Choose IP46 for harsher environments; IP6
IP46 and IP64 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection
IP65 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP65 for harsher environments; IP4
IP66 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP66 for harsher environments; IP4
IP67 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP67 for harsher environments; IP4
IP68 offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP68 for harsher environments; IP4
IP69K offers higher overall protection than IP46. Choose IP69K for harsher environments; I