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Waterproof Grades of Stainless Steel Touch Panel PCs – IP65, IP67, IP68, and IP69K Explained

Understanding Waterproof Grades of Stainless Steel Touch Panel PCs

1. What Does IP Rating Mean?

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating is an international standard defined by IEC 60529, used to classify the degree of protection against solids (like dust) and liquids (like water).
It is represented by two digits — for example, IP65, IP66, or IP69K.

The first digit indicates protection against solid objects and dust (0–6).
The second digit indicates protection against liquids and water (0–9K).

Example:

IP66 → 6 = dust-tight; 6 = protected against powerful water jets.

2. Common Waterproof Grades in Stainless Steel Touch Panel PCs

IP Rating	Protection Level	Key Features	Typical Applications
IP65	Dust-tight; resistant to low-pressure water jets	Can withstand splashing or rain from any direction	Indoor industrial environments, light outdoor use, food processing areas without high-pressure cleaning
IP66	Dust-tight; resistant to strong water jets	Can handle high-pressure water jets and heavy rain	Outdoor kiosks, marine bridges, and factory environments requiring frequent cleaning
IP67	Dust-tight; temporary immersion up to 1m for 30 min	Fully sealed structure, suitable for occasional submersion	Marine control systems, oil platforms, or outdoor terminals exposed to seawater
IP68	Dust-tight; continuous immersion beyond 1m (depth depends on manufacturer)	For prolonged underwater exposure	Specialized underwater applications or heavy marine equipment
IP69K	Dust-tight; withstands high-pressure, high-temperature water jets (80–100 bar, 80 °C)	Highest waterproof protection; resistant to steam cleaning and sanitizing	Food & beverage plants, pharmaceutical lines, marine decks, and washdown areas

3. Key Differences Between the Waterproof Levels

IP65 vs. IP66

IP65 can resist rain and splashing water but not high-pressure jets.
IP66 offers stronger sealing, suitable for environments where hoses or pressure washers are used.

IP66 vs. IP69K

IP69K provides maximum protection — it can endure high-pressure, high-temperature steam jets from multiple angles.
Ideal for hygienic industries (food, medical) or marine deck environments with intense cleaning routines.
IP66 is more cost-effective and sufficient for general outdoor or industrial use.

IP67 & IP68

These ratings are focused on immersion protection, not pressure cleaning.
Used in marine or underwater control systems, not common for general kiosks.

4. Structural Design Differences

To achieve different IP levels, the device design varies significantly:

IP65/66: Rubber sealing gaskets on front bezel, rear vents protected with hydrophobic membranes.
IP67/68: Fully sealed housing with waterproof connectors (M12 or aviation plugs).
IP69K: Completely enclosed stainless steel shell, seamless welding, special waterproof cable glands, and high-temperature-resistant seals.

5. Recommended IP Levels by Application

Environment	Recommended IP Rating	Remarks
Indoor industrial control	IP65	Dustproof and splash-resistant
Outdoor advertising / kiosks	IP66	Withstands rain and outdoor moisture
Food & beverage processing	IP69K	Supports high-pressure washdown and disinfection
Marine bridge / ship deck	IP66–IP69K	Salt-resistant, waterproof, anti-corrosion
Medical and pharmaceutical	IP69K	Hygienic, anti-bacterial, easy to clean
Offshore / oil platform	IP67–IP68	Handles immersion and salt fog