US How IP67 and IP68 differ
IP67 and IP68 are two ingress protection ratings defined by IEC 60529, and they differ only in their water test. The first digit, 6, is the same for both: the enclosure is dust tight, with no dust getting in after a test in a dust chamber under vacuum. The second digit rates protection against water, and 7 and 8 are the two immersion levels.
IP67 has a fixed test. The enclosure is held under water for 30 minutes with its lowest point 1 meter below the surface, or its top 150 mm below for tall enclosures, whichever is deeper. No harmful amount of water may get in.
IP68 has no fixed figure. The standard says the conditions are agreed between the manufacturer and the user and must be more severe than the IP67 test. One IP68 product might be tested at 1.5 meters for an hour and another at 10 meters for a day, so an IP68 claim means little until you see the depth and duration behind it.
IP67 vs IP68 side by side
The table compares the two ratings test by test. The figures for IP68 are examples, because each manufacturer sets its own.
| Point | IP67 | IP68 |
|---|---|---|
| Dust (first digit 6) | Dust tight | Dust tight |
| Water test | Temporary immersion | Continuous immersion |
| Depth | 1 m (lowest point) | Beyond 1 m, stated by the manufacturer |
| Duration | 30 minutes | Stated by the manufacturer, longer or deeper than IP67 |
| Water jets | Not included | Not included |
| Typical use | Equipment that may be briefly submerged | Equipment that stays under water |
Our IP rating chart sets both ratings alongside IP65, IP66 and IP69K, with the test conditions for each.
Is IP68 better than IP67?
For immersion, yes: IP68 must pass a harder water test than IP67. For most equipment, though, it is not the more useful rating. Few computers, panels or cameras need to work under water for long. The hazards they face are rain, spray, hosing and the occasional flood, and those are covered by IP65, IP66 and IP67.
A higher digit does not include the lower jet tests either. IEC 60529 treats immersion and water jets as separate hazards, because a jet hits the seals with a force still water never applies. A product rated only IP68 has not necessarily been tested against jets, which is why rugged equipment often carries a dual rating such as IP66/IP68 or IP65/IP67.
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Choose IP67. For equipment that may be briefly submerged, for example by flooding, standing water in a vehicle well or a fall into water.
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Choose IP68. For equipment that stays under water, such as submerged sensors, pump-station electronics and underwater camera housings.
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Add IP65 or IP66. When the equipment will also be rained on or hosed. Look for the dual rating on the datasheet.
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Choose IP69K. For food and beverage washdown with high-pressure, high-temperature water.
Reading an IP68 rating on a datasheet
Because IP68 is open-ended, check three things before relying on it:
Depth and duration. A good datasheet states both, for example 2 meters for 24 hours. If they are missing, ask.
Connectors and cables. The rating applies with connectors mated or capped as tested. An open port or an unrated cable gland breaks the seal.
Temperature and pressure changes. The immersion test is run at a stable temperature. Equipment that heats up and is then plunged into cold water pulls a vacuum through its seals, so sealed enclosures for those conditions often use pressure-equalising vents.
Who tested it. IP ratings are usually self-declared from the manufacturer’s own tests or a third-party lab report. For critical installations, ask for the test report rather than relying on the code alone.
Our guide to what IP68 means covers the higher rating in more detail.
IP67 and IP68 in industrial computers
IP67 is the more common rating for sealed computers. It suits vehicle-mounted and outdoor systems, trackside and port equipment, and machines on open sites where a flood or a pressure washer is more likely than permanent immersion. These systems are fanless, with M12 or MIL-style sealed connectors and a sealed chassis that conducts heat to the outside.
Our IP67 computers cover fanless box PCs and edge AI systems for that kind of site, and our IP67 panel PCs are fully sealed for operator stations in the open. Fully submerged electronics usually need a purpose-built IP68 housing designed around the depth and duration of the application.
Quick answers on IP67 vs IP68
IP67 vs IP68: common questions
Is IP67 waterproof?
Yes, for short immersion. IP67 equipment survives being submerged to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It is not rated for permanent submersion or for powerful water jets unless it carries a second rating.
Can IP67 equipment be used in the rain?
Usually, yes. Rain is far less severe than immersion, and IP67 enclosures handle it well in practice. If the equipment will be hosed down, look for IP65 or IP66 alongside IP67.
How deep can IP68 go?
As deep as the manufacturer states. IP68 only requires a test more severe than IP67. The datasheet should give the depth and duration, such as 2 meters for 1 hour.
What is the difference between IPX7 and IPX8?
The same as IP67 and IP68 for water. An X in place of the first digit means dust protection was not tested or not rated. IPX7 and IPX8 use the same immersion tests as IP67 and IP68.
Does IP68 cover IP67?
Not automatically. A product rated IP68 is generally taken to meet the IP67 immersion test too, but neither includes jets. Check the datasheet if both matter.
We supply IP67 computers and panel PCs with the connectors, cables and mounting matched to the site, and integrate and test each system before it ships. Tell us whether the equipment faces rain, hosing, flooding or permanent immersion, and we will recommend the rating to suit.