IP68 is an enclosure protection rating used for electrical and electronic equipment requiring a high level of protection against dust and water immersion. It is not a separate standard by itself; it is one of the protection levels defined within IEC 60529. The first digit describes protection against access and solid foreign objects, including dust, while the second digit describes protection against water.

In simple terms… IP68 means that the enclosure is dust-tight and provides protection for continuous immersion under conditions specified for the particular product. There is no single universal depth or time that applies to every IP68 device. The actual immersion limits must be checked in the manufacturer's technical documentation.

What does the first 6 in IP68 mean?

The first digit, 6, means that the enclosure is dust-tight. Under the specified IEC 60529 test conditions, dust ingress is not permitted.

This differs from first digit 5, which means dust-protected and may allow limited dust ingress provided that it does not interfere with satisfactory operation or safety. First digit 6 is the highest solid-particle and dust-protection level in the basic IEC IP classification.

The protection still depends on the product being correctly assembled and installed. A damaged gasket, open connector, loose cover, missing blanking plug or unsealed modification can compromise an enclosure originally rated IP68.

What does the second 8 in IP68 mean?

The second digit, 8, relates to immersion conditions more severe than those associated with IPX7. For IPX8, the applicable depth, duration and other immersion conditions must be defined for the product.

This is why statements such as “IP68 always means deeper than one metre for unlimited time” are technically incorrect. One manufacturer may specify an IP68 product for a particular depth and duration, while another IP68 product may be designed and tested for very different immersion conditions.

IP68 by itself does not tell you an exact number of metres or hours. That information must come from the product datasheet, manual or test documentation.

Is IP68 completely waterproof?

In everyday language, IP68 equipment is often described as waterproof. In engineering terms, a more accurate description is dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion under the specified conditions.

The word “waterproof” can imply unlimited depth, unlimited duration, seawater resistance, hot-water resistance and protection against every type of water exposure. IP68 does not provide one universal guarantee covering all of those conditions.

The useful question is not simply “Is it waterproof?” but “At what depth, for how long, in what liquid and under what operating conditions has the product been approved?”

What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?

IP67 and IP68 both begin with 6, so both ratings are dust-tight. The main difference concerns immersion.

IP67 is associated with temporary immersion under defined test conditions. IP68 addresses immersion under product-specific conditions that are more severe than IPX7 and are intended for continuous immersion.

However, IP68 does not mean “IP67 plus unlimited depth and time.” The actual IP68 depth and duration remain part of the product specification.

Is IP68 lower than IP69?

That is not the correct way to compare them. IP69 and IP68 address different types of water exposure.

IP68 relates to immersion under specified conditions. IP69 relates to demanding high-pressure, high-temperature water jets.

An IP68 enclosure may be suitable for prolonged immersion but not for close-range hot pressure washing. An IP69 enclosure may withstand the specified high-pressure hot-water jet test without being approved for continuous immersion.

Where both conditions are possible, look for documentation that explicitly covers both immersion and high-pressure wash-down.

Does IP68 automatically include IP66?

This should not be assumed. IP66 relates to powerful water jets, while IP68 relates to immersion.

A seal that performs well under relatively uniform immersion pressure is not automatically proven against the localized mechanical effect of a powerful water jet.

If both powerful jet cleaning and immersion are required, check whether the manufacturer declares both ratings, for example IP66/IP68, or otherwise confirms both test conditions.

What is the difference between IP68 and IP69K?

IP68 should also be distinguished from the vehicle-oriented IP69K and ISO 20653 classifications.

IP68 concerns immersion. In the ISO 20653 vehicle system, 9K concerns high-pressure, high-temperature water cleaning under vehicle-specific test requirements.

These are different environmental stresses. Passing one does not automatically establish compliance with the other.

How deep can an IP68 device go?

There is no universal answer. IP68 does not automatically mean 1.5 metres, 2 metres, 10 metres or any other fixed depth.

The permitted depth must be stated by the manufacturer for the specific product. Two devices can both carry an IP68 marking while having substantially different approved immersion depths.

If the application has a known water depth, that depth should be compared directly with the product specification rather than relying on the IP68 label alone.

How long can IP68 equipment remain underwater?

There is also no single duration that applies to every IP68 product. The immersion period, operating condition and any duty limitations must be stated for the particular device.

A product may have been tested while immersed but not energized. Another product may be specifically designed for continuous operation underwater. The IP68 marking by itself does not prove that electrical operation under water is permitted.

Always distinguish between surviving immersion and operating continuously while immersed.

Can IP68 equipment be used in seawater?

IP68 alone does not establish seawater suitability. Saltwater corrosion and material compatibility are separate issues from water ingress.

Stainless-steel grade, aluminium treatment, plastic material, elastomer seals, connector metals and galvanic corrosion can all become important in marine applications.

A product tested for IP68 in fresh water should not automatically be assumed to provide long-term reliability in seawater.

Does IP68 protect against hot water?

IP68 does not by itself define a universal hot-water capability. Water temperature can affect seals, plastics, pressure differences and the operating temperature of the electronics inside the enclosure.

Where hot-water exposure or hot pressure washing is expected, the product should have a rating or manufacturer declaration that specifically addresses that condition.

Can IP68 equipment be pressure-washed?

The IP68 marking alone does not prove pressure-wash resistance. Hydrostatic pressure during immersion and the local impact of a high-velocity water jet are not the same physical load.

Applications involving powerful cleaning jets should also consider the appropriate IP66, IP69 or vehicle-specific ISO 20653 protection, depending on the actual requirement.

Do not use an IP68 immersion rating as an automatic authorization for hose-down or pressure-washer cleaning.

Where is IP68 used in industrial automation?

IP68 can be useful where equipment may be continuously immersed or exposed to severe water-ingress conditions. Applications can include submersible sensors, level-measurement equipment, certain field connectors, outdoor electronic housings and measurement equipment installed in wet environments.

An IP68 industrial sensor can provide a high level of enclosure protection, but sensing accuracy, operating temperature, vibration resistance, cable material and chemical compatibility remain separate specifications.

For example, the process-pressure range of a pressure sensor and the IP68 protection of its housing are completely different characteristics. One cannot be derived from the other.

When is an IP68 connector really IP68?

The IP68 rating of an industrial sensor connector or connector cable often applies only when the connector is fully mated with the specified counterpart.

If the connector is left open, the seal is damaged, the wrong cable diameter is used or the locking mechanism is not correctly engaged, the installation may no longer provide the manufacturer's stated IP68 protection.

In submerged applications, cable-entry sealing and moisture migration through the cable assembly can also matter. A sealed connector face alone does not automatically make the entire cable system IP68.

What does IP68 mean for cable glands?

An IP68 cable gland can only achieve its intended protection when it is used with the correct cable diameter and tightened according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Using a cable outside the permitted clamping range can compromise the seal. Thread sealing, enclosure-wall thickness and installation torque may also affect the completed assembly.

For an IP68 control enclosure, cable glands, blanking plugs, connectors and every other opening must be compatible with the required immersion conditions.

Can an electrical control panel be IP68?

Enclosures can be designed for high immersion protection, but the rating of a completed electrical panel depends on the entire assembly rather than only the empty cabinet.

Door seals, cable glands, pushbuttons, displays, connectors and other panel components can affect the protection of the finished enclosure.

Thermal management can also become difficult in a highly sealed enclosure. VFDs, power supplies and other power-electronic devices generate heat, so ingress protection and heat dissipation must be engineered together.

What does IP68 mean on an HMI panel?

When an industrial HMI panel is advertised with an IP68 rating, check whether the rating applies to the entire device, only the front face or a particular installed configuration.

Panel-mounted HMIs can have a highly protected front surface while the rear electronics inside the electrical cabinet have a much lower enclosure rating.

“IP68 front” and “complete device IP68” are not the same statement. Correct panel cut-out, gasket installation and mounting pressure may also be required to obtain the declared front-face protection.

Can the cable of an IP68 device remain underwater?

The IP68 rating of the main enclosure does not automatically mean that every attached cable is suitable for the same long-term immersion conditions.

Cable jacket material, water absorption, chemical compatibility and long-term immersion performance can all matter.

On submersible level sensors and transmitters, the cable may be an important part of the sealing system. Cutting the cable, making an unsuitable splice or terminating it in an inappropriate junction box can create a path for moisture.

Does IP68 prevent condensation?

Not necessarily. Preventing external water ingress and preventing condensation inside an enclosure are different physical problems.

Temperature cycles, trapped humidity and pressure changes can cause moisture to condense inside a sealed enclosure even when liquid water does not enter from outside.

A high IP rating therefore does not eliminate the need to consider internal humidity and condensation management.

Does IP68 mean chemical resistance?

No. IP68 is an enclosure-protection classification for dust and water ingress. It does not by itself establish resistance to acids, alkalis, solvents, oils, fuels, disinfectants or other process chemicals.

If the gasket, plastic housing, metal alloy or cable jacket is chemically incompatible with the liquid, the product can deteriorate even though its original enclosure passed an IP68 water test.

IP68 is not a chemical-resistance certification.

Does IP68 mean corrosion resistance?

No. Corrosion caused by saltwater, marine atmosphere, fertilizers or aggressive industrial fluids must be considered separately from ingress protection.

For marine or corrosive environments, enclosure material, coatings, fasteners, seals and galvanic compatibility should also be evaluated.

Can IP68 protection be lost after installation?

Yes. IP68 protection depends on the complete enclosure being assembled in the configuration specified by the manufacturer.

A damaged O-ring, loose cover, incorrect cable gland, missing blanking plug, open connector or uncontrolled hole added after installation can allow water to enter during immersion.

After maintenance, seals should be clean and undamaged, and covers and glands should be tightened according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Is IP68 a certification?

No. IP68 is an enclosure protection rating, not the name of a certification body or a general quality certificate.

A manufacturer may support the rating through internal testing or through an external laboratory report. For critical applications, check the referenced standard, exact product model, tested depth, duration and test configuration rather than relying only on the IP68 marking in a catalogue.

What does IP68 not guarantee?

IP68 establishes dust-tight protection and immersion protection under specified product conditions. It does not by itself establish resistance to high-pressure washing, hot water, chemicals, corrosion, ultraviolet radiation, vibration, mechanical impact or every operating temperature.

It also does not establish explosive-atmosphere suitability, complete electrical-safety compliance or hygienic certification. These requirements are addressed separately through the relevant industrial standards and product requirements.

What should be checked before choosing an IP68 product?

First define the actual immersion condition: How deep will the product be? How long will it remain submerged? Will it be energized and operating underwater?

Second, determine whether the liquid is clean fresh water or something more demanding such as seawater, oil, fuel or another chemical.

Third, confirm that cables, connectors, glands, covers and all other sealing components are approved for the same installation conditions.

Finally, check the manufacturer's exact IP68 immersion depth, duration, operating-temperature limits and mounting requirements. The IP68 code by itself does not tell you the actual immersion limits of the product.

IP68 in one sentence

IP68 means dust-tight and protected for continuous immersion under conditions specified for the particular product. There is no universal IP68 depth or duration. IP67 addresses temporary immersion, IP68 addresses product-specific more severe immersion conditions, and IP69 addresses a different exposure: high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. Always read the manufacturer's actual depth, time and operating limits together with the IP68 marking.

Related IP protection guides

IP Protection Ratings and IEC 60529 Guide | IP66 | IP67 | IP69 | IP69K and ISO 20653

Related standards: Industrial Standards | IEC Standards

Related automation equipment: Sensors | Sensor Connectors and Cables | Pressure Sensors | HMI Panels | Panel Components