IP64 Ingress Protection (Dust and Splash): what it is, how it works and what it does
IP64 is an Ingress Protection rating indicating that a device is dust-tight (level 6) and protected against water splashes from any direction (level 4).
Definition
IP64 is a designation within the Ingress Protection (IP) classification system that describes the degree of protection a device offers against the intrusion of solid particles and liquids. Specifically, IP64 indicates that the device is dust-tight and resistant to water splashes.
Code structure
The IP code consists of two numeric digits encoding, respectively, the level of protection against solid bodies and against liquids:
- First digit (6): complete protection against dust ingress. The enclosure is dust tight, meaning no solid particles can enter the interior.
- Second digit (4): protection against water splashes. The device withstands water projected from any direction without functional damage.
Scope of protection
The IP64 classification covers two specific scenarios:
- Dust: the device does not admit the penetration of dust, regardless of particle size or ambient concentration.
- Water (splashes): the device resists contact with water in the form of splashes or low-intensity jets from any angle. It is not designed for immersion or high-pressure jets.
Typical applications
The IP64 designation is common in general-use electronic equipment that may encounter dusty environments or occasional water exposure, such as:
- Laptops and desktop computers with splash-resistance certification.
- Consumer devices (speakers, lamps, sensors) intended for indoor use with splash risk.
- Light industrial equipment exposed to dust in workshops or warehouses.
Limitations
IP64 must be interpreted within its boundaries:
- It does not imply resistance to water immersion; the second digit 4 is limited to splashes.
- It does not guarantee protection against high-pressure jets, high-velocity water, or prolonged moisture exposure.
- Dust protection (digit 6) does not equate to full hermeticity against gases or vapours.
Interpreting it on a product
When a manufacturer declares IP64 in a product's technical specifications, it communicates that the device has been assessed and meets the dust-tightness and splash-resistance criteria defined by the IP classification standard. The user can expect the device to function correctly in dusty environments and against accidental splashes, but should not submerge it or expose it to continuous water.
Summary: IP64 = dust-tight + resistant to water splashes from any direction.