IP67 Rating Explained

UK guide to IP67 — dust-tight and 1-metre water immersion for 30 minutes per IEC 60529. Applications, testing, and IP67 vs IP65/IP68 comparison.

What Is IP67? Quick Answer

IP67 means an enclosure is completely dust-tight and can survive temporary immersion in water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes, tested per IEC 60529. The first digit "6" is the highest dust rating (no ingress after 8 hours in talcum powder chamber); the second digit "7" allows temporary submersion in freshwater. IP67 is the standard spec for ground-recessed lighting, EV charging connectors, submersible pumps, and equipment in flood-prone UK outdoor locations. Note: IP67 is NOT automatically tested against water jets (IP65) — use dual-rated IP65/IP67 or IP66/IP67 where both apply.

IP67 at a Glance

AttributeIP67 Specification
Dust protectionComplete — no ingress (talcum powder test, 8 hrs, 2 kPa)
Water protectionTemporary immersion: 1m depth, 30 minutes max
Water jets?NOT tested (needs IP65 or higher for jets)
Test standardIEC 60529 (BS EN 60529 in the UK)
Typical UK applicationsGround-recessed lights, EV connectors, submersible pumps, buried junction boxes
BS 7671 relevanceMin spec for Zone 0 pools (S702), buried cable glands, EV plug bodies

What Does IP67 Mean? — Decoding the Digits

IP ratings follow the format IP[digit 1][digit 2], defined by IEC 60529 (adopted in the UK as BS EN 60529). For IP67:

First Digit: 6 (Solids)

Completely dust-tight. The highest solids protection rating. Tested by placing the enclosure in a chamber with circulating talcum powder (particle size <75 µm) for 8 hours with internal pressure reduced to 2 kPa below ambient to draw air inward — no powder is permitted inside.

IP6X applies to enclosures where even microscopic dust ingress could damage contacts, optics, or precision equipment.

Second Digit: 7 (Liquids)

Temporary immersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes. The enclosure is submerged in freshwater so the top is at least 15 cm below the surface and the bottom no more than 1 m deep, at 15-25°C, for half an hour. No harmful quantity of water may enter.

IPX7 does NOT cover continuous immersion (IPX8) or high-pressure water jets (IPX5/IPX6). These must be tested separately.

Important quirk: an enclosure rated IPX7 is not automatically IPX5 or IPX6. A sealed gasket that holds against static water can still leak under directional pressure from a hose. For equipment exposed to both rain/jets AND immersion, look for dual-rated products (e.g. "IP65/IP67" or "IP66/IP67"). IEC 60529 requires both specifications to be stated separately.

IP67 vs IP65 vs IP68 — When to Choose Each

The three ratings are frequently confused but solve different problems. IP65 protects against directional water; IP67 against temporary immersion; IP68 against continuous immersion at specified depth.

FeatureIP65IP67IP68
Dust protectionDust-tight (6)Dust-tight (6)Dust-tight (6)
Water jets✓ 12.5 L/min from 3m✗ Not tested✗ Not tested
Temporary immersion✗ Not rated✓ 1m for 30 minImplied (depth ≥1m)
Continuous immersion✗ No✗ No✓ Manufacturer-specified depth
Typical UK useOutdoor lights, wallboxes, garden socketsGround uplights, EV connectors, sump pumpsPond lights, borehole pumps, underwater
Price premium vs IP20+15-30%+25-50%+60-120%

Decision rule: if the equipment can be hosed down, you need IP65 or IP66. If it might briefly sit in flood water (ground-level, low-lying garden, car park), IP67. If it lives permanently underwater or in a well, IP68. For the belt-and-braces combination (outdoor EV wallbox, say), dual-rated IP65/IP67 is the UK standard.

Common UK Applications for IP67 Equipment

  • Ground-recessed garden lighting — decking lights, paver uplights, and tread lights where pooled rainwater or hose overflow may briefly cover the fixture. Brands: Collingwood, Integral LED, LAP (Screwfix), JCC.
  • EV charging plug bodies — the IEC 62196 Type 2 connector commonly carries IP67 when mated (socket + plug sealed together). BS 7671 Section 722.513 accepts IP44 on the wallbox itself for domestic use, but the plug body must reach IP67 for dropped-to-the-ground scenarios.
  • Submersible sump pumps — basement and workshop drainage. Typically IP67 or IP68 depending on duty (intermittent vs continuous submersion).
  • Buried SWA junction boxes — when joining SWA cables underground or in an inspection pit, the enclosure and gland assembly needs IP67 minimum (or the joint must be housed in a pulled-proof compound-filled kit).
  • Flood-prone outdoor sockets — low-lying patios, boat jetties, allotment supply points. IP67 prevents immediate failure after temporary flooding and extends service life compared to IP65-only equipment.
  • Commercial kitchen wash-down electrics — where IP66 (high-pressure jets) is also needed, dual-rated IP66/IP67 enclosures are specified for food-prep and pharmaceutical environments.
  • Swimming pool Zone 0 equipment — BS 7671 Section 702 requires IPX7 (immersion) or IPX8 (continuous immersion) for equipment inside the pool basin. In practice, equipment carries a combined IP rating like IP68.

Real UK Installation Examples

Example 1: Driveway Ground-Recessed Uplighters

Spec: Five Collingwood GL050 F IP67 12V uplights recessed into a block-paved driveway. Fed from a 12V transformer in the house, through 1.5mm² UV-rated flex buried 100mm in a conduit.

Why IP67: During heavy rain, water pools on the driveway above the lights for 10-30 minutes at a time. IP65 would fail over winter; IP67 is tested against exactly this scenario. Transformer itself can be IP44 as it sits in the dry under-eaves.

Example 2: Basement Sump Pump Circuit

Spec: Pedrollo Top 3 IP68 submersible pump in a 600mm sump, fed from a dedicated 16A MCB, RCBO protected (30mA trip). Pump connection via IP68 cable gland; level float switch IP67.

Why dual IP67/IP68: Pump sits in water continuously (IP68); the float switch sits on the water surface and only gets briefly submerged when the pump cycles (IP67 adequate, IP68 overspec). Using IP67 for the float switch saves ~£40 per unit with no functional downside.

Example 3: EV Charger in a Flood Zone

Spec: Zappi Gen 3 EV charger IP65, mounted at 1.2m above ground level on a property 50m from a river in a Zone 2 flood area. Cable glands and earth rod connection kits IP67. Supply via 6mm² SWA from the house consumer unit, 32A MCB, Type B RCD per BS 7671 Reg 722.411.4.

Why IP65 wallbox + IP67 accessories: The wallbox itself is above credible flood levels and only needs IP65 for rain. But the gland fittings and below-grade connections could be submerged in a 1-in-100-year flood event. IP67 glands protect against that without requiring the entire wallbox to be upgraded to IP67 (which is rare in EV charging products and carries a significant cost premium).

How IP67 is Tested (IEC 60529)

First Digit Test (6 — Dust)

  • Enclosure placed in a sealed chamber with circulating talcum powder (particle size <75 µm, density 2 kg/m³).
  • Internal pressure reduced to 2 kPa below ambient to draw air inward, simulating breathing under temperature change.
  • Test duration: 8 hours.
  • Post-test inspection: no measurable powder inside and no ingress that could affect operation or safety.

Second Digit Test (7 — Immersion)

  • Enclosure submerged in a freshwater tank at 15-25°C.
  • Positioning: top of the enclosure at least 150mm below the water surface; bottom of the enclosure no more than 1000mm deep (1m).
  • Duration: 30 minutes.
  • Post-test: the enclosure is removed, dried externally, opened, and inspected. No harmful quantity of water may be inside, and electrical insulation resistance must remain within spec.

IEC 60529 defines "harmful quantity" loosely — the manufacturer interprets whether internal water would impair safety or function. In practice, Type-test certificates from labs like BSI, LCIE, TÜV, Intertek, or UL require ZERO visible water inside for passing IPX7 on electrical equipment carrying mains voltage.

Common IP67 Specification Mistakes

  • Assuming IP67 means "waterproof forever." IP67 is tested for 30 minutes at 1m; permanent submersion needs IP68 with manufacturer-stated depth and duration.
  • Not dual-rating for jet exposure. IP67-only enclosures can leak under high-pressure hose/cleaning jets. For kitchens, car washes, and jet-cleaned environments, specify IP66/IP67 or IP69K.
  • Ignoring seal degradation. IP67 depends on gaskets that UV-degrade, compress, and crack over time (typically 5-10 years for neoprene, 15+ years for silicone). A 10-year-old "IP67" enclosure may effectively be IP54 or worse in the field.
  • Using IP67 cable glands on IP65 enclosures (and vice versa). The whole assembly must match the lowest component rating. An IP67 enclosure with IP54 glands is only IP54 in practice.
  • Confusing IP67 with IPX7. IP67 specifies both dust (6) and water (7) protection. IPX7 leaves the dust rating undefined — theoretically anything from 0 to 6. For UK electrical work, specify the full IP67 rating.
  • Over-specifying for cost. Not every outdoor fixture needs IP67. A wall-mounted porch light protected by an eave is fine at IP44. Paying for IP67 unnecessarily adds 25-50% to the fitting cost with no benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related IP Rating Guides

IP Rating Chart UK (all ratings)

Complete IP00 to IP69K reference chart with IEC 60529 decoding.

IP65 Rating Explained

Dust-tight + water jet protection — the most common outdoor UK spec.

IP44 Rating Explained

BS 7671 minimum for bathroom Zone 1-2 and sheltered outdoor locations.

Bathroom & Shower Circuits

BS 7671 Section 701 zones and minimum IP requirements by location.

Free: BS 7671 Quick Reference Card

Max Zs values, diversity factors, cable ratings, voltage drop — one printable page. Plus occasional emails with calculator updates and useful tips.

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