What IP Rating Do I Need For A Push Button Switch?

When a customer asks us which IP rating they need for a push button switch, we usually do not start with IP65, IP67 or IP68.

We start with a different question:

Where is the switch going to be installed?

A push button on the door of a control cabinet does not have the same working conditions as a button mounted on outdoor machinery.

The same applies to a food processing machine, a charging station or equipment used in a dusty factory.

The IP rating should follow the application.

That is how we approach push button selection at ONPOW.

First, Look at the Working Environment

Before choosing the IP rating, we normally ask the customer a few basic questions.

Is the equipment installed indoors or outdoors?

Will the button come into contact with water?

Is there dust or oil around the machine?

Does the equipment need to be washed regularly?

Could the button be temporarily immersed in water?

How often will the operator press it?

These questions are more useful than simply saying, "I need a waterproof push button."

For example, a button installed inside a protected control cabinet may not need the same protection as one mounted directly on the outside of a machine.

What Do IP65, IP67 and IP68 Actually Mean?

The IP code has two digits.

The first digit describes protection against solid objects and dust.

The second digit describes protection against water.

This is why IP65 and IP67 should not be treated as simply different levels of the same water protection.

IP65 is associated with protection against water jets under the applicable test conditions.

IP67 includes temporary immersion under specified test conditions.

IP68 is for continuous immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer or relevant standard.

The important point for an engineer is not which number looks higher.

It is whether the test condition is relevant to the actual equipment.

When Is IP65 Enough?

For many industrial control applications, IP65 is a practical starting point.

It can be suitable for equipment where the push button is exposed to dust and water jets, depending on the actual working conditions.

For example:

Industrial control panels

Factory machinery

Automation equipment

Packaging equipment

General machine controls

But there is no reason to specify IP65 simply because it is common.

If the button is installed inside a well-protected enclosure, a lower requirement may be sufficient.

If the machine is regularly washed or exposed to stronger water conditions, you may need to look at IP67 or another suitable specification.

When Should You Consider IP67?

IP67 becomes more relevant when temporary immersion is possible.

This could include outdoor equipment or machinery where water can accumulate around the control panel.

However, IP67 should not be interpreted as "suitable for any underwater application."

The test is performed under specified conditions.

If your equipment will be permanently submerged, the manufacturer's IP68 conditions need to be checked.

This distinction is important when writing the specification for an OEM machine.

Does IP68 Mean You Can Put the Button Underwater?

Not automatically.

This is one of the points we often recommend customers check carefully.

IP68 does not provide one universal depth and immersion time for every product.

The conditions need to be specified by the manufacturer for the particular product.

So if a customer tells us:

"We need an IP68 push button."

We would still ask about the actual application.

How deep?

For how long?

What type of water?

What temperature?

How is the button mounted?

These details can affect product selection.

The Installation Is Part of the Protection

This is especially important for panel-mounted push buttons.

The IP rating printed in a catalogue belongs to the product under its specified test conditions.

The finished installation is another matter.

We look at:

Panel cutout

Panel thickness

Sealing ring

Mounting nut

Front panel structure

Installation method

Cable or connector arrangement

If the panel hole is incorrect or the sealing component is not installed properly, simply selecting an IP67 push button does not guarantee that the complete installation will be IP67.

For this reason, ONPOW provides mechanical drawings and installation information for product selection.

For OEM projects, we recommend confirming these details before the panel is manufactured.

IP Rating Is Not the Only Environmental Requirement

Water and dust are not the only things engineers need to consider.

Depending on the equipment, we may also need to look at:

Temperature

Will the button operate in a cold outdoor environment or near a high-temperature machine?

Impact

If the button is exposed to accidental impact, IK protection may also be relevant.

Oil and chemicals

An IP rating does not automatically tell you whether a material is resistant to every oil or chemical.

Vibration

For machinery with significant vibration, the mechanical construction and mounting method should also be considered.

Operating frequency

A button pressed several times a day is different from one used continuously on a production line.

The IP rating is therefore only one part of the selection.

How We Select the IP Rating at ONPOW

At ONPOW, we have push button products covering different mounting sizes and application requirements.

Depending on the series, customers can select products with different protection levels, including IP65, IP67 and higher protection options.

For example, our push button range includes compact switches as well as larger metal push buttons for industrial equipment.

This gives us more room to match the product to the application instead of trying to use one standard switch for every project.

For OEM customers, we also look at the mechanical side of the installation.

A customer may tell us:

"I need an IP67 push button."

But after checking the panel dimensions, mounting hole, contact configuration and rear space, we may find that a different model is a better fit.

That is the kind of information we prefer to confirm before production.

IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68

As a general starting point:

These are not automatic selection rules.

The actual equipment environment and product specification should always be checked.

What Should You Send Us for Selection?

If you are contacting ONPOW about a waterproof or high-IP push button, you do not need to prepare a complicated technical document.

The following information is usually enough:

Mounting hole

Panel thickness

Indoor or outdoor use

Water exposure

Dust or oil exposure

Cleaning method

Possible immersion

Required contact configuration

Voltage and current

Momentary or latching

Illuminated or non-illuminated

Expected quantity

If you have a panel drawing or an existing switch model, send that as well.

It often gives us a much clearer picture than a simple request for "IP67 push button."

Why Work With ONPOW?

For a push button, the IP rating is only one specification.

The mounting size, contact system, electrical rating, materials, operating mechanism and installation conditions all need to work together.

ONPOW has been focused on push button switches for many years, with product lines covering metal push buttons, plastic push buttons, illuminated push buttons, emergency stop switches and other control switches.

For different applications, we can work with customers on the actual product configuration rather than simply recommending the same standard model.

This is particularly useful for OEM equipment manufacturers and control panel builders who need drawings, specific configurations or a consistent product specification for production.

If you are not sure whether your application needs IP65, IP67 or IP68, start by telling us where the button will be installed and what it will be exposed to.

We can then work backwards from the application and determine the appropriate push button specification.

For us, the right IP rating starts with the machine, not the catalogue.