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Electronic manufacturers are consistently working towards making their products stand out from the competition. The increasing dependence on technology is fuelling this sea change and pushing manufacturers to offer a variety of innovative features.

Ingress protection is one of the best examples of how electronic manufacturers have refined their offerings to cater to the consumer’s needs and adapt to the technological shift of the current world.

IP rated enclosures have become essential for many homes with the growth of electric vehicles and electric tools. They are also useful for a wide range of smart home technology such as outdoor lighting.

Ever since the IEC first established ingress protection in 1976, enclosure ratings have come a long way. The advent of IP66 and 65 ratings have increased the durability quotient of electrical enclosures by a significant margin. In this article, we will be comparing the two ingress protection ratings to see which one offers better protection and whether it is worth the investment. But first, let’s understand what IP ratings are.

IP Ratings: Explained

Defined as a system of enclosure ratings, IP ratings are established on the IEC 60529 standard that states the protective features of an electrical enclosure against environmental hazards.

The first digit in an IP rating defines the enclosure’s defensive prowess against solid ingresses such as dust and debris. The second digit specifies the amount of protection that the enclosure provides against water ingresses. Based on this system, a buyer can be assured that their investment meets the set protective standards.

What do IP66 and 65 ratings translate to in the real world?

An ingress protection rating of 66 means that the electrical enclosure is absolutely dust-tight. This means that no solid ingress can penetrate the enclosure, such as objects, dust, or airborne debris. An IP66 rating also offers adequate protection against dripping water, spill, fall, and splashes. Furthermore, the rating also ensures that your enclosure is protected against high-pressure hose-directed water from any direction from a nozzle of 12.5mm or smaller.

An IP66 offers the highest level of protection from water to your IP rated electrical enclosure. This is only surpassed by enclosures structured to withstand complete submersion.

IP65 ratings also offer absolute dust protection due to its dust-tight design. Furthermore, the rating also offers optimal protection from water splashes and hose directed water regardless of direction. An IP65 rated electrical enclosure can only handle hose-directed water from a nozzle of 6.33mm or lower and at a relatively lower pressure.

IP66 vs 65: The Primary Differences

By now, it should be clear that there is little that separate the two ingress protection ratings. While both offer exceptional protection against solid ingresses, the only difference is the level of protection against liquid ingress. IP66 rated electrical enclosures can withstand a considerably higher amount of pressurised water sprays from bigger nozzles.

The question of which one you should buy for your establishment depends entirely on the environment of use and the application that it would be used for. If your electrical enclosure would be experiencing water from high-pressure jets, IP66 is your only option. However, in the absence of a pressurised water spray, IP55 can be the ideal fit.

Establish an Association with a Reputed Electrical Service Provider

In conclusion, we would recommend you get in touch with a renowned electrical service provider to get the best value out of your final purchase. A reputed service provider would have a team of specialists who can evaluate your requirement and suggest the best possible enclosure that aligns with your environment.

Once you find a provider, you can simply scroll through their website or application to get your hands on any encouraging discounts, deals, or offers that might help you save money without any evident compromise on quality.

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