IPX6

IPX6 is a designation in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) IP rating system used to describe a device’s protection against water ingress. In the two-digit code, the first digit denotes protection against solid particles, while the second digit indicates protection against water. The letter X in IPX6 means that no data has been specified for solid ingress; a separate rating such as IP6X would be used to indicate dust protection.

IPX6 specifically denotes protection against powerful water jets. Devices with this rating have been tested to withstand water jets projected in at least moderate pressure from any direction without harmful ingress that would affect operation or safety. The testing is performed in a controlled laboratory setting, with jets directed at the device from multiple angles for a defined duration.

It is important to note that IPX6 does not address immersion in water. It does not guarantee protection if the device is submerged or fully submerged for extended periods. For immersion protection, ratings such as IPX7 or IPX8 are used, with IPX7 covering immersion up to about one meter for a limited time and IPX8 covering deeper or longer immersion as specified by the manufacturer.

Practical implications of the IPX6 rating include resistance to heavy splashing, rain, or high-pressure washing from external sources, but not to prolonged submersion. The rating is commonly applied to consumer electronics, outdoor devices, and some ruggedized equipment. Many devices that require dust protection pair IPX6 with an additional solids rating (e.g., IP6X) for a fuller ingress profile.