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The Complete Guide To Electrical Enclosure NEMA Ratings

What Is a NEMA Rating?

The National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association (NEMA) standardizes product specifications while establishing performance criteria.

NEMA ratings explain the enclosure’s intended use, from small pushbutton boxes to large, full-sized room enclosures.

This rating system assists customers in buying the correct enclosure for their application to keep electrical components safe based on the cabinet’s environment and type of equipment inside.

The enclosure air conditioner or heater needs to have the same NEMA rating as the electrical enclosure in order to meet NEMA standards for proper protection.

What Do NEMA Ratings Mean?

NEMA 1

General-purpose and for indoor use. Type 1 provides a degree of protection to the equipment inside the enclosure against the ingress of solid foreign objects, primarily dirt. They also prevent contact with live parts.

NEMA 2

Drip-tight and for indoor use. Similar to Type 1 with the addition of drip shields, Type 2 provides a degree of protection against limited amounts of dirt and light exposure to water, like dripping or splashing.

NEMA 3

Weather-resistant and for outdoor use. Type 3 provides a degree of protection against rain, sleet, wind-blown dust, and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.

NEMA 3R

Similar to type 3, type 3R is weather-resistant and for outdoor use. They provide a degree of protection from rain, sleet, and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure. There is no mention of this in the standard. However, typically there is no gasketing on 3R enclosures.

NEMA 3S

Like type 3, type 3S is weather-resistant and for outdoor use. They provide a degree of protection against rain, sleet, wind-blown dust, and they also provide for the operation of external mechanisms even when the enclosure is ice laden.

NEMA 3X, NEMA 3RX, NEMA 3SX

The addition of the “X” indicates corrosion protection.

NEMA 4

Watertight and for outdoor use. Type 4 provides a degree of protection against rain, sleet, wind-blown dust, splashing/hose-directed water, and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.

NEMA 4X

Type 4X provides the same protection as type 4 with the addition of corrosion protection.

NEMA 5

Dust-tight and for indoor use. Type 5 provided with gaskets or equivalent to exclude dust.

NEMA 6

Submersible for indoor or outdoor use. Type 6 provides a degree of protection against hose-directed water and the ingress of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.

NEMA 6P

Like type 6, submersible and for indoor or outdoor use. Type 6P provides a degree of protection against hose-directed water and the ingress of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.

**NEMA 7

For indoor use in Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, or D hazardous locations according to the National Electric Code (NFPA 70), this is also referred to as explosion-proof.

**NEMA 8

For indoor or outdoor use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, or D hazardous locations according to NFPA 70, this is also referred to as oil immersed.

**NEMA 9

For indoor use in Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, and G hazardous locations according to NFPA 70, this is also referred to as dust-ignition proof.

**NEMA 10

These enclosures are intended to meet the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), 30 CFR Part 18 (1978).

NEMA 11

General-purpose. Type 11 protects against the corrosive effects of liquids and gases. Meets drip and corrosion-resistance tests.

NEMA 12

General-purpose and for indoor use. Type 12 provides a degree of protection against the ingress of falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fibers, and dripping non-corrosive liquids. Despite its large number, this enclosure provides basic levels of protection.

NEMA 12K

Dust-tight, drip-tight and for indoor use. Type 12K enclosures are intended for use indoors to protect the enclosed equipment against fibers, flying, lint, dust and dirt, and light splashing, seepage, dripping, and external condensation of noncorrosive liquids.

NEMA 13

General-purpose and for indoor use. Type 13 provides a degree of protection against dust, spraying water, oil, and non-corrosive coolants.

NEMA Enclosure Ratings Chart

Get What You Need

Still unsure of which enclosure and associated equipment will fit your needs?

Needs vary so much from application to application it is hard to determine what will work best.

But you’re in luck! The staff at ISC Sales is very knowledgeable, able to answer any of your questions, and ensure that you get the most efficient product for your business. So contact us today and get the perfect equipment for you tomorrow.

Contact an Expert!

Call ISC Sales today at (877) 602-0010 to get a free quote or ask about our industrial equipment lineup. You can also request a quote online, HERE.

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