Standards and Certifications
IP66 vs IP69K: The Right Choice in Industrial Applications
IP66 and IP69K both provide high protection, but the test conditions differ. Which one suits which industry?
Quick refresher on IP codes
Under IEC 60529 the IP (Ingress Protection) code has two digits. The first indicates protection against solids (dust/particles), the second against liquids. IP69K is the ISO 20653 supplementary class added later.
What does IP66 cover?
IP66 provides full dust ingress protection (6) and protection against powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle at 100 kPa for 3 minutes) — second digit 6. It is sufficient for most manufacturing environments outside heavy washdown lines.
What does IP69K cover?
IP69K certifies protection against high-pressure (80-100 bar) hot-water (80°C) washdown. It is the minimum standard for food, pharmaceutical and aggressive chemical cleaning. It is mandatory in dairy and meat processing lines.
Test conditions
In IP69K testing the equipment sits on a rotating table and is exposed to high-pressure hot water for 30 seconds at each of 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° angles — 2 minutes total. No liquid ingress or electrical failure is permitted.
Which class for which industry?
- Conveyor and positioning lines: IP66 is sufficient
- Outdoor agriculture and solar: IP66/IP67 (water + salt/vapour)
- Food, dairy, meat processing: IP69K required
- Pharmaceutical clean rooms: IP66 + GMP compliance
- Marine applications: IP66 + salt-spray testing
- Automotive washing: IP69K
Hedron portfolio
The Hedron portfolio ranges from IP66 standard industrial models to stainless IP69K options for food lines. Consult our engineering team for IP class selection tailored to your application.
