EN
CN
 Home Support Product FAQs
# Industrial Ethernet Switch IP Rating: IP30 vs IP40 vs IP67

# Industrial Ethernet Switch IP Rating: IP30 vs IP40 vs IP67

An IP rating is simply how well the enclosure keeps dust and water out, written as "IP" followed by two digits — the first is solids (dust), the second is liquids (water).

Key takeaways

  • IP30 and IP40 both have a water digit of 0 — neither is waterproof, they only differ in dust ingress.

  • IP67 is dust-tight and survives brief immersion (1 m / 30 min), ideal for poles and corridors.

  • Match the rating to the site; over-specifying IP67 in a cabinet can trap condensation.

Definition

Read the two digits and nothing else: a bigger first digit means more dust protection, a bigger second digit means more water protection. Industrial sites mostly use IP30, IP40 and IP67.

How to Read the IP Code

Position

Means

Common digits

1st (solid)

Dust / object entry

3 = ≥2.5 mm; 4 = ≥1 mm; 6 = dust-tight

2nd (liquid)

Water entry

0 = none; 4 = splash; 7 = brief immersion (1 m / 30 min)

IP30 / IP40 / IP67 Compared

Rating

Dust

Water

Build

Typical site

IP30

≥2.5 mm objects

None

Vented metal case

Indoor cabinet, control room

IP40

≥1 mm objects

None

Seamed metal case

Shop panel, clean line

IP67

Dust-tight

Brief immersion (1 m / 30 min)

Gasketed sealed shell

Outdoor pole, tunnel, wash-down

Note: Both IP30 and IP40 carry a water digit of 0 — meaning no water protection at all. They only differ slightly in dust ingress, so don't expect either to survive rain.

Where Each Rating Fits

  • IP30 / IP40: live inside an air-conditioned room or cabinet, cooled by case airflow — cheap and serviceable.

  • IP67: deployed outside with no extra box — pole-mount or wall-mount; shrugs off tunnel damp and wash-down spray.

  • Upside: the right rating avoids paying for protection you don't need, and avoids rusting out from too little.

Common Misconceptions

"IP40 resists splashing water." Wrong — the second digit is 0, so no water protection. Splash-proof needs at least IPx4; IP40 still lets rain in.

"IP67 can sit underwater permanently." IP67 only guarantees 1 m for 30 minutes — brief immersion, not sustained submersion. Long-term underwater needs IP68 with the maker's depth/time rating.

"Higher is better — just buy IP67." Great on a pole, but inside a cabinet IP67 costs more and can condense inside from full sealing. Spec to the environment.

"IP65 and IP67 are about the same." IP65 beats a water jet from any angle; IP67 beats immersion. Spray sites want IP65, immersion risk wants IP67 — different tests.

FAQ

Can an IP67 switch run fanless? Yes, and it usually should. Sealed IP67 boxes rely on the case to shed heat, so a fanless wide-temp design is the norm outdoors.

Do I need IP67 in a dirty but dry workshop? Often not. IP40 keeps most shop dust out and stays cooler; reserve IP67 for real moisture or outdoor exposure.

Related Reading