In industrial environments where dust, water, and harsh conditions are routine, choosing the right IP-rated enclosure is not just about safety — it’s about uptime, compliance, and long-term performance. Two of the most common ratings for electrical enclosures are IP65 and IP66. But what’s the real difference between them, and how do you decide which is right for your application?

Let’s break it down.

 

What Is an IP Rating?

An IP (Ingress Protection) rating defines the degree of protection an enclosure offers against solids and liquids. It’s represented by two digits:

• The first digit (0–6) indicates protection from solids (like dust and debris).
  
  
• The second digit (0–9K) indicates protection from liquids (like water, oil, or high-pressure sprays).
  
  

 

IP65 vs. IP66: The Breakdown

Feature	IP65	IP66
Solid Protection	6 – Dust tight	6 – Dust tight
Water Protection	5 – Protected against water jets	6 – Protected against powerful water jets
Use in Dusty Areas	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Use in Washdown Areas	⚠️ Limited	✅ Yes – High-pressure spray resistant
Outdoor Use	✅ Suitable with caution	✅ Highly suitable
Cleanroom/Wet Zone Use	⚠️ Not ideal	✅ Recommended

 

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose IP65 When:

• Your environment is indoors or semi-protected outdoors.
  
  
• Exposure to water is occasional and low pressure (e.g., splashes or rain).
  
  
• The focus is dust protection, not high-pressure water.
  
  
• Applications include: machine panels, indoor automation cabinets, HVAC units.
  
  

Choose IP66 When:

• Your equipment is in washdown, outdoor, or marine environments.
  
  
• You expect powerful jets of water, cleaning chemicals, or hose-downs.
  
  
• You’re in food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, wastewater, or agriculture.
  
  
• Applications include: outdoor control panels, pump houses, dairy plants, cleanrooms, offshore rigs.
  
  

How Bartakke Helps

At Bartakke Electrofab, we manufacture both IP65 and IP66-rated enclosures under our three product lines:

• encloINOX – Stainless steel enclosures for hygienic or corrosive settings
  
  
• encloSHILD – Weatherproof, high-impact outdoor protection
  
  
• encloPRIME – Rugged, economical powder-coated mild steel enclosures
  
  

Each enclosure is CE-certified (2006/42/EC) and built using CNC precision, robotic welding, and premium powder coating to ensure a long-lasting seal against dust and water.

Whether you’re protecting a sensitive PLC in a dairy unit or a SCADA node at a wind farm, we’ll help you select the right IP-rated solution — tailored to your application, environment, and budget.