IP Ratings Explained: What IP65 and IP67 Mean

An IP rating has two digits: the first covers solid particle (dust) protection from 0 to 6, and the second covers water protection from 0 to 8. IP65 means dust-tight (6) and protected against water jets (5); IP67 means dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion (7). The rating is shorthand for a set of test conditions defined by the standard, not a general “waterproof” claim. Match the rating to the real exposure: a kiosk facing rain needs jets (5-6); a handheld that drops in water needs immersion (7).

First Digit: Dust Protection Levels 0-6

The first digit rises from no protection (0) through protection against increasing particle sizes to dust-tight (6). For displays, dust-tight (6) is the usual requirement because dust inside the optical stack or on the electronics causes visible and functional failures. Level 6 means no dust ingress under the standard’s test; levels below 6 allow some ingress and are rarely specified for displays that must stay clean and readable.

Second Digit: Water Protection Levels 0-8

The second digit defines water exposure from dripping (1) through jets (5-6) and immersion (7-8). The meaningful distinction for displays is between jet protection (rain, washdown spray) and immersion (submersion in water). An IP67 display survives temporary immersion; it is not designed for continuous underwater use, and IP68 adds defined deeper or longer immersion conditions. Choose the digit from the actual water event the product faces, because testing for immersion does not prove jet performance and vice versa.

How to Design a Display That Meets Its IP Rating

An IP rating is a property of the complete unit, not the bare panel. The protection lives in the enclosure, the front seal between the cover and housing, the connector entries, and any openings. Design points include: a continuous seal around the display front, sealed or potted cable entries, gaskets that survive the temperature range, and a housing that does not flex and break the seal. The display module contributes a flat sealing surface and compatible tolerances; the enclosure and integration deliver the rating.

Touch and Bonding: Sealed Stacks for IP Compliance

Touchscreens complicate sealing because the front is interactive. A bonded cover with a flush front gives sealing a continuous surface and removes the internal air gap where moisture could condense. Touch and bonding decisions therefore interact with the IP design: the stack must provide a cleanable, sealable front while the touch sensor stays protected. The touch and bonding guides cover the stack options; the IP requirement decides how the stack integrates with the housing seal.

IP Testing: IEC 60529 Conditions and Reports

IP ratings are verified by testing to IEC 60529 (or the applicable product standard), which defines the dust chamber, water jet, and immersion conditions. A rating claim should come with a test report naming the standard, the conditions, and the tested configuration—an IP65 claim on a bare panel means nothing if the rated unit is the finished enclosure. Verify that the tested sample matches your production configuration and that the report states the conditions, because small changes in sealing can change the outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions