What is it Ingress Protection?

Ingress Protection (IP) rating, defined by the IEC 60529 standard, classifies the level of protection provided by enclosures against solids (e.g., dust) and liquids (e.g., water). It is expressed as “IP” followed by two digits (e.g., IP67)

Each IP rating has two numbers, both of which give you information about the protection level. A higher number means greater protection against solids and liquids.

First digit (0–6): Protection against solids.

6 = Dust-tight (no ingress of dust).

Second digit (0–9): Protection against liquids.

7 = Temporary immersion (up to 1m depth for 30 minutes).
8/9 = Continuous immersion (IP68) or high-pressure, high-temperature jets (IP69K).

Take a look at the chart below to better understand the protection offered with each number.

First Digit: Solids				Second Digit: Solids
	Level	Object size protected against	Effective against		Level	Object size protected against	Effective against
	0	Not protected	No protection against contact and ingress of objects		0	Not protected	-
	1	>50mm	Any large surface of the body, such as the back of the hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part.		1	Dripping water	Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect.
	2	>12.5mm	Fingers or similar objects.		2	Dripping water when tilted up to 15°	Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position.
	3	>2.5mm	Tools, thick wires, etc.		3	Spraying water	Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
	4	>1mm	Most wires, screws, etc.		4	Splashing water	Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.
	5	Dust Protected	Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact.		5	Water jets	Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
	6	Dust Tight	No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact		6	Powerful water jets	Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
					7	Immersion up to 1m	Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion).
					8	Immersion beyond 1m	The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects.

With an IP65 rating, for example, EST3140 piezoresistive pressure transmitter will be used in an outside setting and are water-resistant but they are not waterproof and are not suitable to be submerged.

An IP68, i.e ESL048 Digital Liquid Level Transmitter, can be submerged in water.

IP Number	First Digit - SOLIDS	Second Digit - LIQUIDS
IP60	Protected from total dust ingress.	Not protected from liquids.
IP61	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from condensation.
IP62	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from water spray less than 15 degrees from vertical.
IP63	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from water spray less than 60 degrees from vertical.
IP64	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from water spray from any direction.
IP65	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from low pressure water jets from any direction.
IP66	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from high pressure water jets from any direction.
IP67	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from immersion between 15 centimeters and 1 meter in depth.
IP68	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from long term immersion up to a specified pressure.
IP69K	Protected from total dust ingress.	Protected from steam-jet cleaning.
1. IEC 60529, “degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures (IP Codes),” Ed. 2.1 (Geneva: International Electrotechnical Commision, 2011)
2. IEC 60529 (Ed. 2.1), clause 4.1.

What is the difference between IP65, IP67 & IP68?

The differences between commonly sold IP65, IP67, & IP68 strips are slight, but very important. Using the above chart as a guide, we can see that all strips are protected at the highest level from solids and dust. The variations come with the protection against liquids.

• IP65 = Water resistant. “Protected against water jets from any angle” . DO NOT submerge IP65 LED lights, these are not waterproof.
• IP67 = Water resistant plus. “Protected against the events of temporary submersion (10 minutes)”*Do NOT submerge IP67 LED lights for extended periods, these are not waterproof.
• IP68 = Waterproof “Protected against the events of permanent submersion up to 3 meters”

 

What IP Rating Will You Need?

If you don’t anticipate a harsh environment that is extremely dusty or wet then a lower IP rating would suffice.

In places that will have a lot of dust, debris, or potential to be in contact with any solids or liquids, you’ll want to make sure that the IP ratings are high and that you have adequate water resistant or waterproof coatings on your LED strip lights.

Examples of IP Ratings and Uses
Low IP ratings are appropriate for		High IP ratings are appropriate for
1	Indoor use	1	Unsealed outdoor locations
2	Protected use inside sealed products	2	Places that have a lot of debris
3	Inside sealed signage	3	Areas with heavy foot traffic
4	When using aluminum extrusions	4	High splash areas
		5	High contact areas (people touching them)
		6	Wet locations

IP ratings are crucial bits of information detailing exactly how protected your sensor is from dust and water. 

Keeps people from accessing hazardous parts inside the enclosure

• Prevents the ingress of solid objects
• Protects against the ingress of water

In a conclusion, an IP rating protects a pressure sensor from its biggest threats. So what does it mean if your  pressure sensor is missing this critical protection rating? What are the risks of going with a cheaper sensor that doesn’t protect itself from dust and water?

The risk is simple: failure.

If you purchase a sensor without an IP rating, any dust or water present can work its way into the electronics of your gauge. Unfortunately, pressure sensor are often used in pretty dirty and damp environments.

Of course, if you install your sensor in a clean and dry area, you probably don’t need to worry about IP ratings at all.

Like everything else, the application is king.

First Digit – Solids

The higher the first digit of the IP rating number the better the protection from dust, sand or dirt particles penetrating the outer enclosure and damaging the internal components.

For example if you are going to use a pressure transmitter on an oil refinery in the middle of the desert you would want a very high protection against sand ingress, but if you were going to use it inside a clean room inside a silicon chip manufacturing facility you would only need a very low-level of particle ingress protection.

Second Digit – Liquids

The higher the second digit of the IP rating number the better the ingress protection from water moisture leaking inside and corroding components or shorting out electrical & electronic circuits.

For example if you wanted to immerse pressure transducers in the ocean to monitor the sea depth you would need very high integrity water-proofing, but if you were looking to fit pressure transmitters to an air compressor in a location with a low relative humidity you would only need a very low-level protection against fluid penetration.

Please note that the 2 digit IP ratings do not provide any indication of how protected a pressure sensor or instrument will be from impacts or exposure to corrosive fluids and either of these might compromise the integrity of the IP rating if they have not be taken into account.

Evaluating Your Application

To determine what IP rating you need, if any, you need to look past the obvious sources of dust and moisture.

Ask yourself:

Is dust and moisture a concern where your pressure sensor will be installed?
Are there leaky pipes and pumps?
Is there a possibility of a spill or an overflow?
Will the area be cleaned regularly?

Examples of items with IP ratings
1	Umbrella	IP-01 or IP-02
2	Chain-link fence	IP-02
3	Chicken wire	IP-20
4	Screen	IP-30
5	Kevlar cloth	IP-40
6	Tent (camping)	IP-42
7	Saran wrap	IP-51
8	Bottle of wine	IP-67
9	Submarine	IP-68

You need to take a look at all the possibilities. If there are any concerns, you should play it safe and get a pressure sensor with an IP rating.

This doesn’t mean you should always buy a fully protected sensor at the slight possibility of an accident or a leak, but you should at least understand the risks and rewards of your decision.

Pressure measurements are important. Pressure has to be maintained at safe levels that are sufficient to keep things moving efficiently. Using pressure sensor to take a differential reading on a pump, a length of pipe, or a filter is a common practice that is critical to system health and reliability.

How to improve ingress protection for a Packard connection?

Improving the ingress protection (IP) of a Packard connection (commonly used in automotive, HVAC, or industrial applications) involves a combination of proper installation practices, supplemental sealing methods, and environmental adaptations.

1. Optimize Installation Orientation

Vertical Installation (Terminals Facing Downward):

• – Why? Gravity helps drain water away from the connection.
• – How: Mount the connector so the terminals are oriented downward.

Avoid horizontal or upward-facing positions where water can pool.

The laboratory tests have shown that the same IP connector can pass continuous water spray tests when mounted vertically, but may experience internal water ingress due to water accumulation when mounted horizontally.

2. Use Secondary Sealing Methods

Waterproof Heat-Shrink Tubing (Dual-Wall Adhesive-Lined)

Best For: Permanent installations where frequent disconnection is not required.

[Steps]:

1. Slide heat-shrink tubing over the connector and wires.
2. Use a heat gun to shrink the tubing, ensuring the inner adhesive layer melts and seals gaps.
3. Ensure the tubing extends 2–3 cm beyond the connector on both sides.

Silicone Sealant (Weather-Resistant)

Best For: Sealing gaps between the connector halves or wire entry points.

[Steps]:

1. Apply a bead of silicone sealant around the connector’s mating surfaces.
2. Avoid blocking the terminal pins.
3. Let it cure fully before exposing to moisture.

Self-Fusing Waterproof Tape (e.g., Scotch 70, 3M)

Best For: Temporary fixes or field repairs.

[Steps]:

1. Stretch and wrap the tape tightly around the connector, overlapping layers by 50%.
2. Ensure full coverage of the connector body and wire entry points.

3. Add External Protective Accessories

Waterproof Enclosures or Caps

• – Install a IP67/IP68-rated junction box around the connector.
• – Use a silicone boot or cap to cover unused connectors.
• – Mount a plastic or metal shield above the connector to deflect rain, snow, or direct sunlight.

Why IP rating is important to pressure sensor?

Pressure sensors are often used in harsh environments, where they may be exposed to dust, moisture, or even complete submersion in liquids. The IP rating of a pressure sensor is crucial in determining its suitability for a particular application and ensuring its reliable operation.

High IP Ratings Ensure Reliability

Pressure sensors with higher IP ratings, such as IP67 or IP68, are more resistant to the ingress of contaminants and liquids, which can compromise the sensor’s performance and lifespan. This is particularly important in applications where the pressure sensor is subjected to harsh environmental conditions, such as in the automotive, industrial, or outdoor environments.

Protection Against Dust and Moisture

A pressure sensor with a high IP rating, such as IP6X, indicates that the sensor is protected against the ingress of dust and other solid particles. This is crucial in applications where the sensor is exposed to dusty or particulate-laden environments, as dust can interfere with the sensor’s operation and lead to premature failure.

Water Resistance and Submersion

The second digit in the IP rating indicates the level of protection against the ingress of liquids, such as water. A higher rating, such as IPX7 or IPX8, means the pressure sensor can withstand temporary or prolonged submersion in water, making it suitable for applications where the sensor may be exposed to water, such as in marine or underwater environments.

Selecting the Appropriate IP Rating

When choosing a pressure sensor for a specific application, it is essential to consider the environmental conditions it will be exposed to and select a sensor with an appropriate IP rating. This ensures the sensor’s reliable operation and extends its service life, reducing the risk of costly failures or the need for frequent maintenance.