Victron IP Ratings Explained: Choosing Products for Your Environment

IP ratings tell you how well an electronic enclosure protects against dust and water. For Victron products, the IP rating determines where you can safely install the unit — indoors only, in a damp engine room, or fully exposed to the elements. Choosing the wrong IP rating for your environment is a common and expensive mistake. This guide explains the IP rating system and maps it to real-world Victron installation scenarios.

How IP Ratings Work

IP stands for "Ingress Protection" and is defined by the international standard IEC 60529. An IP rating has two digits:

• First digit (0-6) — protection against solid objects (dust, fingers, tools)
• Second digit (0-9) — protection against water

A higher number means better protection. For example, IP67 offers better protection than IP22 for both dust and water.

First Digit: Solid Object Protection

Second Digit: Water Protection

Common IP Ratings in the Victron Range

IP21 / IP22 — Indoor Use Only

IP21 and IP22 are the most common ratings across Victron's product range. These products are designed for dry, indoor environments.

• IP21 — protected against solid objects larger than 12.5mm (fingers) and vertically dripping water
• IP22 — same as IP21 but with water dripping at up to 15 degrees from vertical

Victron products at IP21/IP22:

• MultiPlus and MultiPlus-II (all models)
• Quattro and Quattro-II (all models)
• Phoenix Inverter range (most models)
• Blue Smart IP22 Charger range
• Cerbo GX, Ekrano GX
• Most SmartSolar MPPT controllers

These products must be installed in a dry, ventilated space. In a campervan, this typically means inside a sealed electrical cabinet or under-seat enclosure. On a boat, this means below decks in a dry compartment — never in the bilge or engine room where water spray or condensation is likely.

IP43 — Light Spray Protection

IP43 provides protection against objects larger than 1mm and water spray at up to 60 degrees from vertical. This is a step up from IP22 but still not suitable for direct exposure to rain or heavy spray.

Victron products at IP43:

• Phoenix Smart IP43 Charger range
• Skylla-IP44 Charger (rated IP44)

IP43/IP44 chargers are suitable for engine rooms and semi-enclosed spaces where light moisture is possible but direct water exposure is not expected.

IP65 — Jet-Proof

IP65 means the product is dust-protected and can withstand low-pressure water jets from any direction. This is the rating you need for outdoor installations or locations where wash-down cleaning is common.

Victron products at IP65:

• Blue Smart IP65 Charger range
• SmartSolar MPPT 75/10, 75/15, 100/15, 100/20 (the smaller models in IP65 enclosures)
• Skylla-IP65 Charger range
• BlueSolar PWM-Pro controllers

IP65 products can be installed in engine compartments, outdoor enclosures, and any location where they may be exposed to rain or spray — but they should not be submerged.

IP67 — Temporarily Submersible

IP67 is fully dust-tight and can survive temporary submersion in water up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. This is the highest rating commonly found in Victron products.

Victron products at IP67:

• Blue Smart IP67 Charger range
• Some specific Phoenix inverter models (check individual datasheets)

IP67 chargers are designed for the most demanding marine and outdoor installations. They can be mounted in exposed locations such as open cockpits, wet lockers, and near bilge areas where occasional flooding may occur.

Choosing the Right IP Rating for Your Installation

Campervan Installations

For most campervan builds, IP22 products are perfectly adequate. The electrical components are typically installed inside the vehicle — under a bed, in a garage area, or in a dedicated electrical cabinet. These locations are dry and protected from direct water exposure.

• Under-bed/garage area: IP22 is fine, provided the area stays dry
• Near a door or window: Consider IP43 or IP65 if there is any risk of rain ingress
• Engine bay: IP43 or higher for anything mounted in the engine compartment due to heat, vibration, and potential moisture
• External (roof-mounted): Only solar panels and weather-rated junction boxes should be externally mounted

Boat and Marine Installations

Marine environments are much more demanding than vehicles. Salt spray, condensation, and bilge water are constant threats.

• Cabin/saloon (dry area): IP22 is acceptable for GX devices, battery monitors, and equipment mounted in dry living spaces
• Engine room: IP43 minimum, IP65 preferred. Engine rooms experience condensation, oil mist, and temperature extremes. IP65 chargers are the standard choice for marine engine rooms.
• Bilge or wet locker: IP67 only. If the equipment could be temporarily submerged during flooding, it must be rated IP67.
• Cockpit or open deck: IP65 minimum. IP67 preferred for anything that might be hit by waves or heavy rain.
• Inverters and MultiPlus units: These are almost all IP22, so they must be installed in a dry, ventilated compartment. In boats, this is typically a dedicated electrical locker that is protected from the bilge and engine room.

Off-Grid and Outdoor Installations

For garden offices, sheds, or outdoor battery enclosures in the UK:

• Insulated, weatherproof shed or outbuilding: IP22 is fine for all equipment inside
• Uninsulated, non-sealed shed: IP43 or higher is recommended, as condensation is common in UK winters
• Outdoor enclosure (IP65/IP66 rated cabinet): Mount IP22 equipment inside the enclosure. The enclosure provides the water protection.
• Fully exposed outdoor mounting: Only IP65 or IP67 rated equipment should be mounted outdoors without an enclosure

Using Enclosures to Upgrade Protection

You do not always need to buy IP65 or IP67 versions of products. Mounting an IP22 product inside an appropriately rated enclosure achieves the same result, often at lower cost. For example:

• A standard MultiPlus-II (IP22) mounted inside an IP65-rated electrical cabinet becomes effectively IP65-protected
• Ensure the enclosure has adequate ventilation — inverters and chargers generate significant heat and need airflow
• Use IP-rated cable glands where cables enter and exit the enclosure
• Maintain the enclosure's IP rating by ensuring all doors, seals, and cable glands remain in good condition

IP Ratings and Victron Warranty

Installing an IP22-rated product in an environment that requires IP65 protection — and then claiming warranty when water gets in — is unlikely to succeed. Victron's warranty covers manufacturing defects, not damage caused by inappropriate installation. Always match the product's IP rating to your installation environment, or use a suitable enclosure.

Quick Reference: Victron IP Ratings by Product

Always check the specific product datasheet for the exact IP rating, as some variants within a product range may differ. Browse our price comparison tool to find the best UK prices on Victron products at every IP rating, and use the filters to narrow down to the protection level you need for your installation.