IP68 and IPX9K: what each rating tests
VORLINKO engineering · Updated
IP68 says a connector survives being under water for a stated depth and time. IPX9K says it survives close-range jets of hot water at high pressure. They test different things, so a connector for equipment that is both pressure-washed and submerged needs both ratings.
How to read an IP code
The first digit after IP rates protection against solids, the second against water. A 6 in the first place means dust-tight. An X means that part was not tested or not stated, so IPX9K says nothing about dust.
IP68: immersion, under stated conditions
IEC 60529 defines the second digit 8 as continuous immersion under conditions agreed between the manufacturer and the user, which must be more severe than IPX7 (temporary immersion). The standard does not fix a depth or a duration. Two IP68 connectors can therefore be tested very differently.
Ask for the depth and duration behind an IP68 claim, and check that the rating applies to the connector as mated, with the cable you will use.
IPX9K: hot, high-pressure water jets
IPX9K comes from ISO 20653 for road vehicles. The test sprays hot water at high pressure from a short distance and from several angles, the way a steam cleaner or a wash-down line does. IEC 60529 has a comparable second digit 9.
A connector that passes immersion can still let water past a seal under a direct high-pressure jet, and the reverse is also true. Neither rating implies the other.
Which VORLINKO models carry which rating
| Rating | Models |
|---|---|
| IP68 and IPX9K | LP20-2P, LP20-3P, LP20-4P, LP20-5P, LP20-7P, LP20-9P, LP20-12P, LP20-14P, BD24-3P, LP24-RJ45, LP24-USB, LP24-FO |
| IP68 only | DL28-2P, DL28-3P, DL28-4P, DL28-5P |
Generated from the product record. Sample data, subject to the approved datasheet and test reports.
Questions engineers ask
- Does the rating hold when the connector is unmated?
- The ratings on this site are for the mated condition. Unmated connectors exposed to water need a protective cap.
- Is IPX9K needed for outdoor equipment?
- Only if the equipment is cleaned with pressure washers or sits in a wash-down area. For rain and immersion, the IP68 conditions matter more.
- Which termination should I choose?
- Screw termination lets installers wire on site without special tools. Crimping gives consistent results in volume production but needs the matching crimp tool. Soldering suits compact cable assemblies made in the factory.
This article summarises the test methods. The standards themselves set the full test conditions.