What Does IP67 Rating Mean for Metal Enclosures?

Introduction：

When choosing an enclosure, you’ll often see an IP rating listed in product descriptions. While you might know this refers to the enclosure’s degree of protection, you might be confused about its actual meaning, or unsure whether IP67 meets your specific application requirements. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed introduction to IP67 enclosures and various considerations for your purchase.

What does IP67 rating mean ?

What is an IP Rating? 

IP rating, which stands for Ingress Protection Rating, is a standard provided by the International Electrical Commission (IEC 60529) to measure the protective properties of an enclosure. It reflects how well your enclosure protects against accidental contact with foreign objects from the outside world. You will see that IP ( Ingress Protection) is followed by a two-digit code that describes the enclosure’s specific level of protection against solid objects and liquids，which is crucial to understand.

How to Read the Two Digits of IP67?

For better understanding, we will explain the two digital codes separately. The first code is the solid protection capability of the enclosure, and the second code is its liquid protection capability.

Solid Protection：The first number actually represents the ability to prevent different particle sizes from outside of the enclosure. We divide this ability into six levels from 0 to 6. Typically, the enclosure is exposed to particles such as dust, sand, and even debris, as well as accidental contact such as human hands or unauthorized touch.This experiment mainly uses particles ranging from 50mm, 12.5mm, 2.5mm, 1.0mm to determine the level of resistance of the enclosure to foreign matter intrusion. The first number “6” here in IP67 stands for completely dust-tight, which means that even small solids cannot enter the inside of the shell.

Liquid protection: The second digit is actually the IP67 waterproof rating. We rank this rating on a scale of 0-9, from lowest to highest. IP waterproof testing subjects the enclosure to various potential ingress liquids, ranging from hose spray and dripping water to high-pressure water washing or immersion. This is mainly to test its ability to defend against liquids in terms of humidity and duration. Therefore, after testing, we concluded that the “7” in IP67 means the enclosure can withstand immersion at depths of 150mm to 1000mm for up to 30 minutes.

Compare IP rating with International Standards NEMA

To understand the protective performance of an enclosure, you can look beyond its IP rating. NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) is also a good choice. NEMA is another North American testing organization. Unlike IP ratings, NEMA also tests and rates enclosures for corrosion and atmospheric gases, in addition to liquid and solid protection. NEMA seems more comprehensive this way, but you only need to check the rating corresponding to your application. Generally, NEMA-tested enclosures are larger, like outdoor walk-in electrical enclosures. On the contrary, the place where the IP shell can be placed is more flexible because its size is smaller.Let’s say for example that an IP rated enclosure can usually be installed in a NEMA rated enclosure.This makes it easier to understand, and you can also search for standards specific to your specific enclosure.

IP67 vs. Other Common Ratings

From the above description, we can see that IP67 is the highest level of protection from solid objects, meaning it prevents the ingress of any particulate matter. Therefore, here we will focus on IP67’s liquid protection capabilities. The “7” in IP67 is particularly significant, indicating that the enclosure can withstand both water spray and immersion. The higher-level IP68 designates enclosures suitable for underwater use, signifying even greater airtightness. If your enclosure only needs to protect against humid land environments, IP67 is your best choice.

Why IP67 Rating Matters for Metal Enclosures

Metal enclosures are used in various fields and environments, so the IP rating is crucial. It determines whether the enclosure is suitable for or meets the requirements of a specific scenario. The IP67 rating, a relatively high level of protection, can confirm whether your metal enclosure has the capabilities you need.

Features of IP67 Enclosure

1. High-level protection: 

As discussed above, an IP67-rated enclosure is both water-tight and dust-tight. It can maintain high connectivity and function of sensitive instruments in harsh environments.

2. Weatherproof ：

The IP67 defense performance requires that it can maintain the stability of the shell in the face of harsh outdoor weather conditions such as sandstorms, strong winds and heavy rain, and even unpredictable and changing temperatures.

3. Easy device access：

Latch and hinged doors are common components designed for IP67, which are designed to facilitate entry and access to equipment and instruments of different sizes.

4. Durability：

The IP67 enclosure uses a metal outer plate to isolate the inside and outside, and the closed structural design ensures that the internal computer or equipment works in a dry environment, extending its service life.

5. Natural RFI and EMI shielding： 

Sheet metal is the best material choice for IP67 enclosures because metal has unique electromagnetic shielding capabilities, which can ensure that communications and electronic equipment can operate normally even in strong electromagnetic interference environments.

6. Strength：

Enclosures that pass the I67 rating are extremely rugged and shock and vibration resistant, allowing them to withstand dangerous mechanical impacts in industrial environments.

Problems that Can be Avoided by Using IP67 Enclosure

You might be wondering, “Why is IP67 specifically required, even though regular enclosures can provide protection?” The reason for ratings is that a specific rating can help you avoid certain issues and risks. If an enclosure is rated IP67, most of the damage and dangers that would otherwise be caused by a substandard rating will be eliminated—this is what we call cost-effectiveness. Below, we’ll explain the key problems can be avoided by IP67 enclosures:

• • • Circuit failure:In humid environments, electrical equipment and instruments are easy to  short-circuit or lose power if they come into contact with water. IP67 provides virtually complete dust and water resistance, essentially isolating them from contact, preventing such dangerous situations.
    • Malfunctions: If instruments are exposed to the outdoors, electronic components operating for extended periods can become blocked by dust or affected by moisture. P67 enclosures solid, dust-proof rating and high level of water resistance prevent these malfunctions.
    • Corrosion: Enclosures used outdoors for extended periods face extremely variable weather and environments. The corrosion-resistant metal IP67 enclosure, providing a stable, dry environment, significantly extends the lifespan of internal components and reduces the risk of corrosion, oxidation, and weathering.
    • Downtime: If an instrument malfunctions, requiring professional repair, can negatively impact profitability. IP67 ensures that internal components remain operational and maximize equipment functionality, reducing the cost and time of downtime.

Typical Applications of IP67 Metal Enclosures

Business applications: 

Because of its high level of protection, IP67 enclosures are often used in indoor commercial environments. Examples include automated car-wash counters, which are often surrounded by high-pressure water jets, and information kiosks at water parks. Because water intrusion is a constant possibility, IP67 enclosures provide the necessary protection they need.

Industry 4.0 and automation applications: 

Industrial machinery control devices or factory equipment are very sensitive to machine collisions or accidental human contact during long periods on the production line. Vibration or shock can affect the accuracy of production data. IP67 enclosures can provide a relatively stable and safe environment for them.

Security applications: 

We often see IP67-rated enclosures protecting outdoor security system components, such as outdoor surveillance cameras and security cameras. These components monitor the safety of the outdoor environment in the sun and rain. Only by ensuring the proper functioning of these components can we ensure the safety of our daily lives.

Agricultural applications:

Nowadays, large-scale agricultural management is fully automated. Agricultural irrigation systems or agricultural detection sensors are of great significance to agricultural automation. Protecting these large equipment with casings can improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural production.

Pharmaceutical and medical applications:

Both pharmaceuticals and chemical products require high-quality laboratory settings because scientific instruments and medical devices used in research and experiments are often exposed to cleaning chemicals. Housings such as IP67 can not only withstand the corrosion of accidental splashing chemical liquids, but also ensure the cleanliness of the equipment above.

Outdoor electronic equipment:

IP67 enclosures are ideal for protecting sensitive equipment that must resist aggressive weather, such as electrical components, hazardous parts of electrical components, and even printed circuit boards made of non-conductive materials that connect electronic components.The IP67 enclosure is an internationally certified electrical box that prohibits the ingress of any liquid or solid matter.

Construction zone: 

There are various dangerous conditions in the construction process. Outdoor utility devices in messy worksites generally require special protection. Only by ensuring the normal operation of these devices can the work efficiency and operation safety of construction workers be guaranteed.

How to Choose the Right IP67 Metal Enclosure

Although we understand that the advantages of IP67 enclosures are very obvious in various industries, choosing the right IP67 enclosure can maximize its advantages. Here are a few dimensions that we must consider when purchasing IP67 enclosures, hoping to bring some help to your decision:

 Factors to Consider 

1. Size：

There’s no standard IP enclosure size; it’s determined by the equipment you need to protect. However, compared to NEMA-rated enclosures, IP-rated enclosures are typically smaller. Therefore, if you’re considering an enclosure with flexible placement and require a higher level of protection, consider an IP67 enclosure. Conversely, if you’re looking for a larger enclosure like a walk-in electrical box, we recommend considering a NEMA-rated enclosure.

2. Material

IP67 enclosures are made not only from metals like steel and aluminum, but also from plastics like ultra-tough fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate. Plastics offer advantages like lightness and low cost, but the strength, corrosion resistance, and natural RFI and EMI shielding of metal enclosures are important considerations. When choosing between these materials, please consider the advantages of each and the application scenario before purchasing.

3. Coating

As mentioned above, sheet metal offers strong corrosion resistance. Furthermore, savvy buyers will also choose powder-coated metal enclosures. Durable sheet metal combined with a powder-coated finish will further rustproof the IP67 enclosure, extending its useful life. Therefore, please remember that the exterior coating is also a crucial element in verifying IP67 metal enclosure compliance.

4. Components

From a visual perspective, IP67 metal enclosures feature several key features, including hinged covers, hinged latch systems, and convenient installation accessories like wall-mount flanges. Moreover, the details of the enclosure are also crucial to ensuring IP67 protection. Tamper-proof screws provide a secure and stable enclosure, grounding devices prevent accidental electrical shock, and watertight gaskets further prevent particle ingress. All of these components are important considerations before purchasing; any missing element can significantly impact the product’s performance.

Balancing Cost vs. Performance

Ultimately, profit is the ultimate goal. This requires balancing cost and performance. It’s common knowledge that metal enclosures are significantly more expensive than plastic enclosures, and different metal materials also have varying prices, much like the significant price differences between different grades of stainless steel (304, 316, etc.). So how should we choose? Our advice is to first understand the bottom line of protection we’re pursuing. For example, if your enclosure requires high-strength protection while reducing corrosion resistance, relatively inexpensive galvanized steel may be more suitable than stainless steel for cost reasons. IP67 enclosures ultimately strive for superior protection. Therefore, we must fully understand the environment in which the enclosure will be used to balance cost and performance, ultimately maximizing profits.

Conclusion

Choosing the right enclosure is about more than just protection—it’s about ensuring long-term performance, reducing maintenance costs, and safeguarding your investment. With IP67-rated metal enclosures, you get superior dust and water resistance, unmatched durability, and reliable shielding for your critical equipment. Whether your project requires stainless steel for harsh environments or lightweight aluminum for flexible installation, we can provide the right solution tailored to your needs.

Contact us today to discuss your application and discover the most cost-effective IP67 enclosure option for your business.