IP67 vs IP68 vs IP69K: M12 Connector IP Rating Guide
Understand what IP (Ingress Protection) ratings mean, compare the three ratings used most on M12 connectors, and find the right sealing level for your application.
IP67 vs IP68 vs IP69K
What is an IP ratingWhat is an IP rating?
IP stands for Ingress Protection, defined by the international standard IEC 60529. It rates how well an enclosure resists solids and liquids using two digits after the letters “IP”.
IP67
First digit — solids
Protection against dust and solid objects, from 0 (none) to 6 (dust-tight).
IP67
Second digit — liquids
Protection against water, from 0 (none) through 9K (high-pressure hot washdown).
Full IP code reference
Read each digit independently. For example, IP67 = dust-tight (6) + temporary immersion (7).
First digit — Solids / Dust
Protection against solid foreign objects (0–6)
| Digit | Protection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | — |
| 1 | ≥ 50 mm | Back of hand, large surfaces |
| 2 | ≥ 12.5 mm | Fingers |
| 3 | ≥ 2.5 mm | Tools, thick wires |
| 4 | ≥ 1.0 mm | Thin wires, small particles |
| 5 | Dust protected | Limited ingress, no harmful effect |
| 6 | Dust tight | No ingress of dust |
Second digit — Liquids / Water
Protection against water ingress (0–9K)
| Digit | Protection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | — |
| 1 | Vertical dripping | Condensation |
| 2 | Dripping at 15° | Enclosure tilted up to 15° |
| 3 | Spraying water | Up to 60° from vertical |
| 4 | Splashing water | Any direction |
| 5 | Water jets | 6.3 mm nozzle |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | 12.5 mm nozzle |
| 6K | Powerful jets, increased pressure | Road vehicles (ISO 20653) |
| 7 | Temporary immersion | Up to 1 m for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Continuous immersion | Beyond 1 m, depth/time per manufacturer |
| 9K | High-pressure, high-temperature jets | ~80°C washdown (ISO 20653 / DIN 40050-9) |
IP67 vs IP68 vs IP69K
These three ratings cover almost all M12 connector applications. All are dust-tight; they differ in how they resist water. For a focused look at the two most common, see our IP67 vs IP68 guide.
| IP67 | IP68 | IP69K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust | Dust-tight (6) | Dust-tight (6) | Dust-tight (6) |
| Water | Immersion up to 1m for 30 minutes (7) | Continuous immersion beyond 1m (8) | High-pressure, high-temperature washdown (9K) |
| Typical use | General industrial, food & beverage | Underwater, high-pressure washdown | Food processing, dairy, pharmaceutical |
| M12 fit | Met by most M12 connectors once mated and torqued | Requires M12 with enhanced sealing design | Requires purpose-built M12 (not universal) |
Important: an IP rating only applies once the connector is correctly mated and torqued — an unmated or uncapped port has no rated protection. Also, IP69K does not automatically mean IP68: it tests high-pressure hot water, not deep immersion. Check the product’s full rating list (some are rated IP67/IP68/IP69K together).
M12 connectors by IP rating
Connectors in our range grouped by the protection ratings they meet (when mated and torqued).
IP67
M12 4-Pin A-Coded Connector
A-coded · 4-pin
M12 5-Pin A-Coded Connector
A-coded · 5-pin
M12 5-Pin B-Coded Connector
B-coded · 5-pin
M12 4-Pin D-Coded Connector
D-coded · 4-pin
M12 8-Pin X-Coded Connector
X-coded · 8-pin
M12 8-Pin A-Coded Connector
A-coded · 8-pin
M12 12-Pin A-Coded Connector
A-coded · 12-pin
M12 17-Pin A-Coded Connector
A-coded · 17-pin
IP68
IP69K
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between IP67 and IP68?
- Both are dust-tight (digit 6). IP67 protects against temporary immersion in water up to 1 m for 30 minutes, while IP68 covers continuous immersion deeper than 1 m under conditions defined by the manufacturer. Choose IP68 when the connector may stay submerged or face long-term moisture.
- Is IP69K better than IP68?
- Not strictly — they test different things. IP69K rates resistance to high-pressure, high-temperature water jets (washdown), not deep immersion. A connector can be IP69K without meeting IP68, so always check the full rating list; some M12 products are rated IP67, IP68 and IP69K together.
- Is an M12 connector still waterproof when unmated?
- No. An IP rating only applies when the connector is correctly mated and tightened to the specified torque. An unmated port has no rated protection — fit a protective cap on unused ports.
- Which IP rating should I choose for outdoor, food or washdown use?
- Outdoor or occasional wet conditions: IP67 is usually sufficient. Continuous moisture or possible submersion: choose IP68. Food, beverage, dairy or vehicle washdown with high-pressure hot water: choose IP69K.
- Does the IP rating last forever?
- No. Seals and gaskets degrade with mechanical wear, repeated mating cycles, chemicals, UV and temperature cycling. Inspect seals periodically and replace connectors with damaged seals to maintain the rated protection.
Find the right M12 connector for your environment
Filter by IP rating, coding and pin count — or tell us your requirements and get a quote.