Is an IP66 conduit also UV-resistant?

Not automatically. IP says nothing about UV, chemicals or temperature. For outdoor use choose a version explicitly UV-stabilised; unstabilised PA6 discolours and becomes brittle.

May I cut a conduit to length?

Yes, with a conduit cutter square on the corrugation; an angled cut finds no grip in the gland. Deburr the cut and check the conduit is seated to the stop in the gland.

Which IP rating do you recommend by default for machine building?

IP66 with a brass or plastic gland is ample for most machines. Only with high-pressure cleaning or immersion do you move to IP67 or IP69K.

What do IP ratings mean for cable protection conduits?

Figure: Mounting with a drip loop below the connection point: water runs off instead of inwards.

What exactly do the two digits say?

IP66 means fully dust-tight and resistant to powerful water jets. IP67 adds temporary immersion, IP68 prolonged immersion and IP69K hot high-pressure cleaning. Note: IP67 is not a 'better IP66' — an IP67 component need not withstand a jet nozzle, and vice versa.

Why is the gland as important as the conduit?

The stated rating applies to the system: conduit, gland, O-ring and lock nut from the same maker, tightened to the specified torque. A cheap gland on an expensive conduit drops the assembly to its weakest point, and a missing O-ring turns even IP68 into IP54.

How do you keep water out of the conduit?

Never let a conduit sag horizontally into a connection point: water collects in the lowest bend and creeps inside along the cable sheath. Mount with a drip loop below the connection point, and outdoors use a pressure-equalising element in the enclosure to avoid condensation.

What does high-pressure cleaning demand extra?

For IP69K you need a smooth conduit without open profile grooves, stainless glands and seals that tolerate 80 °C water. Spray direction matters too: never spray straight at the gland seam, always along the conduit run, so water is not forced under the seal.

Table — IP ratings and where they belong

Rating	Dust	Agua	Typical application
IP54	Beperkt	Spatwater	Droge productiehal
IP66	Dicht	Waterstraal	Machinebouw, buiten
IP67	Dicht	Onderdompeling 30 min	Vloerkanalen
IP68	Dicht	Continue onderdompeling	Pompputten
IP69K	Dicht	Heet water 80 °C, 100 bar	Food, pharma

Frequently asked questions

Is an IP66 conduit also UV-resistant?: Not automatically. IP says nothing about UV, chemicals or temperature. For outdoor use choose a version explicitly UV-stabilised; unstabilised PA6 discolours and becomes brittle.
May I cut a conduit to length?: Yes, with a conduit cutter square on the corrugation; an angled cut finds no grip in the gland. Deburr the cut and check the conduit is seated to the stop in the gland.
Which IP rating do you recommend by default for machine building?: IP66 with a brass or plastic gland is ample for most machines. Only with high-pressure cleaning or immersion do you move to IP67 or IP69K.